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mellambert's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
A lot of complicated feelings in this book. Especially from the grandfather who wasn't sure how to accept his grandson. As an adopted kid with complicated grandparents I really felt this. A story about losing family and coming back again. About found families and blood ties.
balladofreadingqueer's review
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I enjoyed this queer family saga. Each section is told from the point of view of a different family member. It begins when one Cuban-American woman Marisa decides to get pregnant while living with her friend/fuck buddy/not girlfriend African American jazz pianist Juliet.
As their relationship strains and eventually breaks apart Marisa moves back to Miami with her son Jenry and lives with her homophobic parents who do not allow discussions of his other mother. When he finally goes back to Brown University, the same his parents went to, all the secrets begin to come out.
This book covers key themes like strained family dynamic (blood or chosen), particularly the difficulties of parenthood. It also somewhat addresses drive and artistic passion, and sacrifice
As their relationship strains and eventually breaks apart Marisa moves back to Miami with her son Jenry and lives with her homophobic parents who do not allow discussions of his other mother. When he finally goes back to Brown University, the same his parents went to, all the secrets begin to come out.
This book covers key themes like strained family dynamic (blood or chosen), particularly the difficulties of parenthood. It also somewhat addresses drive and artistic passion, and sacrifice
momadvice's review
challenging
emotional
mysterious
reflective
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
This emotional generational saga was a contender for this year's book club because it tackled important themes around race, identity, family, and forgiveness. Basically, it had the perfect recipe to bake up the perfect book club discussion.
The Other Mother weaves over thirty years of two families' history together, opening with Jentry's first day of college. This school is notable because it is his mother's alma mater (who raised him alone) and his famous ballet dancer father (who he never knew).
The mystery for Jentry is why he never knew his dad and uncovering all the people who could have been a part of his life if they had been given a chance.
The secrets, I believe, should be uncovered by the reader, and it brought into play some significant themes that would be so big and beautiful to unbox with a book club. I loved the elements of multigenerational storytelling; how it challenged readers to examine what it means to be family; I loved Jentry's earnest quest to find out who he was.
What didn't work for me was that the story meandered. The plot needed some tightening by about a hundred pages. Had this been trimmed, it would have easily been a five-star read.
Please read this for the themes, the challenging viewpoints, and the reminders of what it means to be family. When it moved me, it moved me deeply. So for these themes and emotions, it gave me, it remains on the contender list for next year.
bookish_sabrina's review
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I adored this book's structure more than anything else about it, and that's a compliment! It's not often that I feel like the structure of a book could really make or break the story, or that a contrived structure feels like anything more than a gimmick. But with this one, the structure truly makes it. The novel slowly unfolds and each new character perspective gives us additional insight into what is really going on in the story. Each character adds something new and necessary to understanding the complexity at the root of the core character relationships in this story.
We start by following a young man, searching for connection to his deceased father when he goes to the same college his father went to. Upon arrival, he learns that his mother was in a relationship with another woman when he was born, and that other woman was his other mother. And she lives in town! He meets her, and then we see things from his moms' perspectives, his grandfathers', and slowly we understand what happened and why our assumed protagonist didn't know these things about his origins. But we never hear from him again, and it becomes clear that this is a story about two families both at odds and coming together. The author makes it clear that each member of the family, each character perspective, means something. Just like in a real family, you might not like everyone, but in getting to know them, you learn to understand where they are coming from. But in this case, you can do so from the safe remove of reality and fiction. An great character-rich story expertly told.
We start by following a young man, searching for connection to his deceased father when he goes to the same college his father went to. Upon arrival, he learns that his mother was in a relationship with another woman when he was born, and that other woman was his other mother. And she lives in town! He meets her, and then we see things from his moms' perspectives, his grandfathers', and slowly we understand what happened and why our assumed protagonist didn't know these things about his origins. But we never hear from him again, and it becomes clear that this is a story about two families both at odds and coming together. The author makes it clear that each member of the family, each character perspective, means something. Just like in a real family, you might not like everyone, but in getting to know them, you learn to understand where they are coming from. But in this case, you can do so from the safe remove of reality and fiction. An great character-rich story expertly told.
buttermellow's review
challenging
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Lesbophobia
Moderate: Alcoholism, Cancer, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Grief, and Pregnancy
Minor: Racism
missberlyreads's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
jamiebethreads's review
The writing was really good but the story was just a bit too slow paced for me at the moment! I think I’d really like it if I ever get a chance to devote the time to it.
snowydaze's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I received an audiobook copy of The Other Mother by Rachel Harper from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Overall, I found listening to this book to be a bit emotional and thought provoking at times. The various perspectives of the characters allowed for a more three-dimensional look at how the same event affected everyone and the interconnectedness of it all.
However, it was very slow paced, which at times, made it a bit harder to hold my interest. Overall, it was an interesting read, that I recommend looking up the content warning for before reading.
However, it was very slow paced, which at times, made it a bit harder to hold my interest. Overall, it was an interesting read, that I recommend looking up the content warning for before reading.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Cancer, Chronic illness, Cursing, Homophobia, Grief, Lesbophobia, and Alcohol
Minor: Death and Death of parent
patricktreads's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Ok, so I really appreciate this book and the awareness that it raises on issues of abandonment, lgbt relationships, the struggle with alcohol, parent/child relationships, and acceptance.
However, the book was a little slow for my tastes. At first I didn’t like the way the multi perspectives and multi timelines jumped. Just as I was getting accustomed to one character and the tone of things, we changed. I did get used to it after a while but I was well over halfway at that point. That is a more personal reading style situation though.
I also pulled a star because of no pre content warnings. This covers a lot of possibly triggering content, especially in regards to lgbt and minority familial situations. CWs for something like that are extremely important.
I would recommend this for someone wanting a more slow and thoughtful read, but if you need some speed then this might not be your taste.
However, the book was a little slow for my tastes. At first I didn’t like the way the multi perspectives and multi timelines jumped. Just as I was getting accustomed to one character and the tone of things, we changed. I did get used to it after a while but I was well over halfway at that point. That is a more personal reading style situation though.
I also pulled a star because of no pre content warnings. This covers a lot of possibly triggering content, especially in regards to lgbt and minority familial situations. CWs for something like that are extremely important.
I would recommend this for someone wanting a more slow and thoughtful read, but if you need some speed then this might not be your taste.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Death, Homophobia, Infidelity, Grief, Gaslighting, and Abandonment