Only: A Singular Memoir [Paperback]

Onlyis a painfully honest and entertaining story of an unconventional childhood. It reveals what it feels like to be an only child and the focal point of two people damaged by trauma and tragedy, and the courage it takes to break free from the past and the pull of its secrets. Caroline Baum’s poignant and gripping memoir is for anyone who has felt the pressure of being at the fulcrum of a seesaw, the focus of all eyes and expectations—torn between love and fear, obedience and rebellion, duty and the longing to escape. In exploring what being a "good daughter" means and why it can be so difficult,Onlyuncovers truths that offer readers deep emotional insight.

"An unflinchingly honest exploration of what it takes to be a good daughter, with a heart-melting scoop of ice cream." —Elizabeth Gilbert author, Eat, Pray, Love

"A rich and rollicking tale that deepens into the tenderest of daughterly tributes." —Helen Garner, author, The Spare Room

"A conflicted love letter to her European origins and the uncrushable spirit of her glamorous, at times difficult parents, this lyrical page turner made me laugh and made me weep." —Magda Szubanski, author, Reckoning

Caroline Baum has been a columnist for Bloomberg News since 1998 and is the author ofJust What I Said: Bloomberg Economics Columnist Takes on Bonds, Banks, Budgets and Bubbles. She has worked for the BBC, Time Life Books, and Voguemagazine (UK and Australia), and was the founding editor ofGood Readingmagazine and the Editorial Director of Booktopia.