The memory palace

A gorgeous memoir about the 17 year estrangement of the author and her homeless schizophrenic mother, and their reunion. Before she was struck with schizophrenia at the age of nineteen, beautiful pianist Norma Herr had been the most vibrant personality in the room. She loved her daughters and did her best to raise them well, but as her mental state deteriorated, Norma spoke less about Chopin and more about Nazis and her fear that her daughters would be kidnapped, murdered, or raped. When the girls left for college, the harassment escalated- Norma called them obsessively, appeared at their…