“If there’s a contest for an essay that reads the most like a Russian novel, I humbly put forth this one. Grand scale over many years, check; dramatic events and personalities, check; mental illness, check; memorable location, check; moody classical music, check; dark family saga, check. All of this transferred to a modern SoHo location for a harrowing journey to motherhood with all its caveats, fears and promise. I’m re-amazed every time I re-read it and I savor again its message that “Life is strong”

— Scott Oglesby, Editor’s Pick, “Motherhood Requiem,” Bellevue Literary Review.