Notes to My Mother-in-Law and How Many Camels Are There in Holland? Reviewed

  

On a whim (and because this Kindle pair is SO economical), I recently bought this book bundle by Phyllida Law. For those unfamiliar with Phyllida Law, she is a remarkable Scottish actress whose talent has graced both stage and screen, and she’s also the mother of two equally accomplished actresses, Emma Thompson and Sophie Thompson. Her two-book memoir bundle, Notes to My Mother-in-Law and How Many Camels Are There in Holland? — also published together in paperback as Three Mothers (and a Camel) — is a delightful showcase of the charm that defines her acting work. This collection is a heartwarming, funny, and utterly lovely exploration of family life, motherhood, and the quirks that make it all unforgettable.

 In Notes to My Mother-in-Law, Phyllida captures the tender absurdity of writing daily gossip notes for her deaf mother-in-law, Annie, the family’s lynchpin, whose hearing aid malfunctions add a layer of comedic charm. Then, in How Many Camels Are There in Holland?, she turns her affectionate gaze to her “deliciously dotty” mother, Mego, whose dementia requires Phyllida’s devoted care—complete with cottage-tidying and medicinal G&Ts. All this unfolds while she juggles her busy acting career and raises Emma and Sophie, who contribute wonderful new material to this edition.

What makes these memoirs shine is Phyllida’s ability to blend humor with poignancy. Her stories are peppered with eccentric details—like a peculiar question about camels—whimsical illustrations, and even a couple of recipes that I’m eager to try someday. It’s a charming, uplifting read that celebrates the resilience of mothers and daughters. If you’re looking for a book that’s both a warm hug and a good laugh, this bundle is a treasure; you can get this duo for the low price of  $.99 (!!) here.

 Highly recommended.

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