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alicebme's review against another edition
3.0
Hmmm. This book had all of the things: suicide, losing your mother, teen sex, teen pregnancy, abortion, giant secret keeping, hypocrite church leaders, cheating with your best friend’s husband, being your parent’s caregiver, leaving your hometown to desperately try to start a new life, child rape, PTSD, infertility... Sweet baby Jesus.
All of that said, I’m looking forward to another book from this author. Maybe the next one will have mostly nice things?
All of that said, I’m looking forward to another book from this author. Maybe the next one will have mostly nice things?
janagaton's review against another edition
4.0
TW: suicide, loss of parents
My favorite part about this author's writing is her ability to shine light on human tendencies and certain behaviors for very specific situations, making you curious about each scene and question whether or not the author has gone through it herself. I grew attached to each of the characters throughout the entire novel, despite the cheating and unexpected pregnancies, which are tropes I'm not a fan of. I love character-driven books, and this was no exception. The chapters are longer than books I typically choose to read, but the pages flew by because I was so invested in the story. I will say, however, that some of the POV changes were confusing because they were so abrupt, but that didn't deter from my overall enjoyment of the book. I also enjoyed that it was set in California because I personally love the state, and I've been to a lot of the places described in the book, such as Venice Beach, Santa Monica, Oceanside, etc. and I think Britt Bennett did a good job making those places accurately come to life.
My favorite part about this author's writing is her ability to shine light on human tendencies and certain behaviors for very specific situations, making you curious about each scene and question whether or not the author has gone through it herself. I grew attached to each of the characters throughout the entire novel, despite the cheating and unexpected pregnancies, which are tropes I'm not a fan of. I love character-driven books, and this was no exception. The chapters are longer than books I typically choose to read, but the pages flew by because I was so invested in the story. I will say, however, that some of the POV changes were confusing because they were so abrupt, but that didn't deter from my overall enjoyment of the book. I also enjoyed that it was set in California because I personally love the state, and I've been to a lot of the places described in the book, such as Venice Beach, Santa Monica, Oceanside, etc. and I think Britt Bennett did a good job making those places accurately come to life.
jordanak03's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
jaydeecepticon's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
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
4.0
maks444's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
lyyyn's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
bkmckown's review against another edition
3.5
This was a story of different views of mothers and the intricacies of relationships. The connections of all the characters and their emotions was beautiful but the story left me wanting more.
bobeetle's review against another edition
4.0
I read this book in 3 days compared to 2 weeks for the previous one. First, I like the writing, the author knows how to evoke emotions. And the way The Mothers starts a chapter as narrator is very well done. To have this perspective and what they think about the situation.
I expected a better plot or mistery about the death of her mother but we are given less. Too much misteries about the protagonist situation at the end is frustrating. I don't like having too much interrogations at the end of a book. Also sometimes it is repetitive and we keep turning around. Not much development for the character but I really love Nadia, by the way.
It's a really good debut and I could recommend for subjects taking part in the story.
I expected a better plot or mistery about the death of her mother but we are given less. Too much misteries about the protagonist situation at the end is frustrating. I don't like having too much interrogations at the end of a book. Also sometimes it is repetitive and we keep turning around. Not much development for the character but I really love Nadia, by the way.
It's a really good debut and I could recommend for subjects taking part in the story.