Inheritance: A Memoir of Genealogy, Paternity, and Love

Discuss the significance of the book’s title in conjunction with the entwined themes of family, identity, and memory.

How does Shapiro describe her relationship with her mother and father? Why was her relationship with her mother strained?

Jewish descent is determined through the maternal line. The father’s religion holds no importance. Nevertheless, learning the truth about her father shatters Shapiro’s sense of self. Discuss her reaction, taking into account identity and ancestry.