Julia Sweeney Knihy

Julia Sweeney was nearing 40, and quite famous, when she got on a flight to China to turn her life upside down. She had a flourishing career as a comedienne and performer, ample friends and admirers, but what she didn't have was a child and, after a string of non-committal boyfriends, she decided to adopt alone. Mulan was one-and-a-half years old when she met her new mother, and every bit as feisty as the Disney character of the same name. This is the story of this unexpected mother-daughter pair who eventually became - Julia's astonishment and in a hilariously unconventional way - a mother-daughter-father trio.

Facing a tumultuous year, Julia Sweeney navigates the challenges of her brother Mike's terminal cancer diagnosis while adjusting to life with her parents in her small Hollywood bungalow. Amidst the chaos of family dynamics and caregiving, Julia's own cancer diagnosis adds to the emotional turmoil. Through humor and resilience, she reflects on her intimate experiences with family, ultimately crafting a poignant memoir that highlights love and perseverance in the face of adversity.