The relationship between mother and daughter is an incomparable blend of affection, comfort, rebellion, pain, frustration, and joy. In Grabbing at Water, mother and daughter Joan and Maddy Lambur explore their extraordinary bond as they recount the events of Maddy's youth and young adulthood -- the successes and struggles, clashes and reconciliations -- telling each story from their very different and equally hilarious points of view.

As Joan evolves from a broke, newly single mother living in a Toronto fixer-upper to a high-flying executive, she watches Maddy change too, from a...