Presents a literary memoir of poems, essays, and intimate family photos that reflect on the author's complicated relationship with his mother and his disadvantaged childhood on a Native American reservation. "Family relationships are never simple. But Sherman Alexie's bond with his mother Lillian was more complex than most. She plunged her family into chaos with a drinking habit, but shed her addiction when it was on the brink of costing her everything....

Examines the life of the author, musician, and poet, including his inspiration for his award winning young adult novel, "The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian."--Publisher's description.