My Mama, Cass: A Memoir, by Owen Elliot-Kugell

 

 Publication May 7, 2023

Having recently read "All the Leaves Are Brown", by Scott G. Shea, which goes into great detail about the rise and fall of the Mamas and Papas, I hesitated to read this one, I must admit. I mean, how much more could it possible tell me? Oh, I'm so glad I didn't heed my hesitation..

Whereas Shea's book focuses on the dynamics and lives of all the group members, the focus here is on not just Cass Elliott but how her life and death impacted her daughter, Owen, who was only seven when Cass died. Much to her credit, Owen, who never even knew who her biological father was until a decade plus past Cass's death, neither ignores nor elevates the '60s lifestyle her mother lead. She draws on friends and family members to flesh out the woman she was only beginning to know before Cass died in London during a solo tour. You'll recognize many of those names, I'm sure. There are some very personal memories, too, such as acknowledging that she still has the ABC blanket with animals on it that was one of her last physical connections to her mother or remembering how the jangle of the bracelets Cass wore reminded her of wind chimes. In other words, this is a book written from love.

I won't detail Cass's life other than say she learned early to hide her hurt with humor, something that allowed her to carry on despite cruel jokes at the expense of her weight. Owen does clarify that the rumor of what caused her mother's death, that dang sandwich, were false. Raised by her aunt and grandmother, Owen's life wasn't an easy one. Nothing like one my think life of a superstar's child might be. The book doesn't point fingers, nothing salacious about anyone, but doesn't hide the fact that Owen had to have therapy as a child and struggled in school. She did seem to inherit her mother's creativity and love of music, however, and even came close to being a part of.....nope, not telling. You'll recognize the group name, however. 

Owen never hesitates to reveal her feelings of vulnerability, whether as a struggling youth or trying to connect with her biological father. I came away from the book admiring her greatly. She's taken an unflinching look but endearing look at her mother, writing with love, and has a smooth, easy writing style. If you have any interest in the 1960's lifestyle/music scene, you will thoroughly enjoy this book. So many what ifs, too, from "What if Cass had lived?" to "What if Owen had grown up not only with her mother's love but surrounded by the music scene?" or even "What if she'd known her father as a child?" In other words, this book makes you think while sharing a very personal story. Thanks #NetGalley and #HatchetteBooks for allowing me to read it early. I've always marveled at that remarkable voice of Cass Elliott, so I thoroughly enjoyed this far more-personal-than-most peek into her life and am delighted to see her daughter's voice emerge as a writer.