The Key Is Love: My Mother's Wisdom, A Daughter's Gratitude

Long-time entertainer Osmond honors her parents' hard work, discipline, and love in this touching memoir, skirting the conventional celebrity confessional to tell an intimate story of family. Balancing her mother's wisdom against a personal saga of life on the move, Osmond discusses raising eight children, overcoming a failed marriage, dealing with postpartum depression, and finding oneself after genuine tragedy. Her mother Olive is depicted as a person who "had a lifelong interest in any ideas that would give people more happiness, hope, and peace of mind," vibrancy she maintained to her deathbed. Osmond's references to her fame and fortune are fleeting, while ruminations on Osmond family mores and inherited values are dynamically rendered. A poignant and beautifully drawn chapter highlights the life of her 18-year-old son Michael, who tragically took his own life in 2010. The grief, love, and surrounding circumstances are explored with grace and honesty, resulting in a celebration of his life and confirmation of her faith. There are humorous anecdotes and brief glimpses into a performer's life of glamour and grueling preparation. This is a picture of a strong woman who leads an active life, and appreciates its real values. (Apr.)