Super Short Summary

Fierce Attachments: A Memoir by Vivian Gornick is an exploration of the complex mother-daughter bond, reflecting on Gornick's own relationship with her mother, "Ma," and their lives within a Jewish community in the Bronx. Gornick recounts her upbringing, her mother's challenging past, and how these shaped their dynamic. The memoir highlights themes of womanhood, independence, and the persistent influence of maternal figures as Gornick grows into an educated, assertive woman. Topics of familial conflict, emotional struggle, and personal growth are central to the narrative. The memoir discusses sensitive themes including childhood assault.