''My Mother's Keeper'' is a 1985 memoir by

B. D. Hyman Barbara Davis Hyman (née Sherry; born May 1, 1947) is an American author and pastor. She is the oldest daughter of the actress Bette Davis. Born in Santa Ana, California, she is the daughter of film star Bette Davis (1908–1989) and artist W ...

, the daughter of actress

Bette Davis Ruth Elizabeth "Bette" Davis (; April 5, 1908 – October 6, 1989) was an American actress with a career spanning more than 50 years and 100 acting credits. She was noted for playing unsympathetic, sardonic characters, and was famous for her pe ...

, in which she alleges that Davis was a bullying, alcoholic mother.

Overview

''My Mother's Keeper'' is often compared to the 1978 book ''

Mommie Dearest ''Mommie Dearest'' is a memoir and exposé written by Christina Crawford, the adopted daughter of actress Joan Crawford. Published in 1978, it attracted much controversy for its portrayal of Joan Crawford as a cruel, unbalanced, and alcoholic m ...

'' by

Christina Crawford Christina Crawford is an American author and actress, best known for her 1978 memoir and exposé, ''Mommie Dearest'', which described her abusive relationship with her adoptive mother, film star Joan Crawford. Early life and education Christi ...

, the daughter of

Joan Crawford Joan Crawford (born Lucille Fay LeSueur; March 23, ncertain year from 1904 to 1908was an American actress. She started her career as a dancer in traveling theatrical companies before debuting on Broadway. Crawford was signed to a motion pict ...

. Published after Crawford's book, ''My Mother's Keeper'' depicts Davis as a self-centered, emotionally manipulative alcoholic. Unlike Crawford, Hyman does not accuse her mother of any physical abuse. Indeed, she claims Davis was a battered wife and says Davis' husband,

Gary Merrill Gary Fred Merrill (August 2, 1915 – March 5, 1990) was an American film and television actor whose credits included more than 50 feature films, a half-dozen mostly short-lived TV series, and dozens of television guest appearances. He starr ...

, was a violent alcoholic. Unlike Crawford's book, which was published after the death of its subject, Hyman's book and a sequel titled ''Narrow Is the Way'' were published during Davis's lifetime.

Reception

called Hyman's motivation "cruelty and greed". Davis's adopted son, Michael Merrill, severed contact with Hyman and never spoke to her again, as did Davis, who disinherited her. Davis left her estate to Michael Merrill and her assistant, Kathryn Sermak. Davis's only public response to the allegations was an open letter to Hyman in her 1987 memoir, '' This 'N That'', in which she wrote in part, "Your book is a glaring lack of loyalty and thanks for the very privileged life I feel you have been given. If my memory serves me right, I’ve been your keeper all these many years."

References

{{Reflist

External links

Contemporary Book Review
1980s controversies in the United States 1985 non-fiction books Show business memoirs Books about actors Bette Davis William Morrow and Company books