I'm looking for a fiction (or non-fiction autobiography perhaps,
anything really) book where:

- The father was a successful politican, author, renaissance man, public figure
- The divorced mother whom came from aristocratic [US southern]
culture looking to marry into power
- The father and mother characters listed above never get married but have a son
- The mother having no marketable skills leaves the capitol where the
father still lives and works
- The mother takes her new son back to where she grew up along her
daughter so that they can live under the care of wealthy established
grandparents
- The son approaches the father two decades later and attempts a relationship

This is an odd question to be sure -- but it applies to my life.  I'm
open-minded to your thoughts or whatever anyone else has to say. 
Obviously a piece of literature or a biography wouldn't have to match
all the above criteria -- maybe just a few, or even just one.

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Clarification of Question by alexinia-ga on 07 Jun 2005 12:52 PDT

Something else to add that I've noticed is that the father figure
always seemed to put the public interest over the well-being of his
family.  I imagine that this is typical of some politicans (or anyone
in a position of power) -- they get so bogged down with work that they
either can't make the time or choose not to make the time to invest
into their family or personal relationships.

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Request for Question Clarification by czh-ga on 07 Jun 2005 15:56 PDT

Hello alexinia-ga,

I'm not sure what is your question beyond finding you a book that
tells a similar story. You say:  "I'm open-minded to your thoughts or
whatever anyone else has to say." Say about what? What is the intent
of your question? Are you trying to strategize on how to approach your
Dad? Are you trying to figure out how to deal with your feelings
towards your Father and/or Mother? Are you trying to understand who
you are and what family means to you? What are the real questions
you're trying to answer?

The more you can tell us about what would constitue a good answer, the
more likely someone will be able to find you what you need. I look
forward to your clarification.


~ czh ~

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Clarification of Question by alexinia-ga on 07 Jun 2005 17:56 PDT

Thanks czh.  You're right -- I'm just trying to find a similar story,
if possible.  History repeats itself and it's good to learn from it. 
The main objective I suppose is to help me reach a sense of closure
with my childhood and, as you put it, "sort out my feelings."  A
friend of mine with an eating disorder, for instance, read a personal
biography by Marya Hornbacher called "Wasted" and said it really
helped her sort through some of her own thoughts, feelings, and helped
her put her own childhood into her own words.

I know that others have it far, far worse off than I did growing up --
but reading another person's account, either in fiction or nonfiction,
I think would be interesting for me.  In my business classes we read
case studies all the time -- but I never get a healthy dose of
literature to read case studies and personal essays about peoples'
lives.  And I know I should really start doing that more.

I've actually already met my Dad for the first time a few years ago,
even moved to the town where he lives, but the relationship is rather
distant now.  I don't really feel all that close to him and I think
the feeling is mutual.  I'm just at a point where I'm looking to at
least be civilized and keep in remote contact, but basically move on
with my life.

Let me know if I'm still being too vague.  I apologize if I am.  I
appreciate your help!

DNA tests are a rather interesting indication of 'provenance'

Yeah, although in my case DNA tests weren't necessary since 1) I own
the birth certificate with both names listed for parents, and 2) both
parents openly disclose their relationship to me.

Any more thoughts are greatly appreciated!  Thanks!