aseel_reads's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This was such a good read, I really liked the exact amount of plot we were given, we got a good slice of life. Somehow managed to include loads of heavy topics without being too triggering.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment, Abortion, Alcohol, Child abuse, Death of parent, Rape, Adult/minor relationship, Death, Infidelity, Domestic abuse, Medical content, Physical abuse, Grief, Infertility, Sexual assault, Pregnancy, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide
jenisha's review against another edition
reflective
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault, Physical abuse, and Suicide
Minor: Addiction
rbacon's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
tense
slow-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
At points, I related to different characters. Elements of themselves I see in who I am. The Mothers are like an ever-present force and are so articulately displayed exactly like the church Mothers (and Grandmothers) I have known. I both hope one day to be one, know myself to already be one, and hope never to be like them. It's an odd sense of familiarity and love, whilst with that honest disdain at how churches can be self-destructive and fail to protect those they love the most.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abortion, Rape, Physical abuse, Suicide, and Racial slurs
Minor: Death of parent, Infertility, Pregnancy, and Sexual content
moraofthestory's review against another edition
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide
Moderate: Abortion, Child abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, and Sexual assault
Minor: Drug abuse and Drug use
rinette's review against another edition
reflective
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
I read this book because I loved The Vanishing Half (Brit Bennett’s second book) and sadly, I was disappointed with The Mothers. I could not engage with the characters or feel emotionally involved. It was as if I had been watching the characters from afar, instead of feeling immersed in the story as if I were part of it too. I couldn’t bring myself to care for the characters or the story in itself. I read it but did not feel anything in particular, which rarely ever happens to me when I read a book.
Although I was left disappointed by The Mothers, this will not deter me from reading more from Brit Bennett as I absolutely loved her second book. I guess The Mothers just wasn’t for me.
Although I was left disappointed by The Mothers, this will not deter me from reading more from Brit Bennett as I absolutely loved her second book. I guess The Mothers just wasn’t for me.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abortion
Minor: Physical abuse
thiccandspicy's review against another edition
medium-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? It's complicated
2.0
Such a strange book to have read to completion for me. The writing style was very engaging, expected from someone with Brit Bennett’s current fame, so I could still put up with the second half of the book though it was considerably slower. The ending was incredibly confusing, and I really don’t know what to make of it
TL;DR The atmosphere got really claustrophobic after a while, and I didn’t quite get the point of the book.
Spoiler
I’m strongly pro-choice, and I guess I was expecting this book to take that stance or at least firmly plant me in the characters’ shoes, but it simply didn’t (a common complaint, judging by the reviews). The only character I really felt for was Aubrey, but even her issues were never explored in detail, relegating her to a tertiary position after Nadia and Luke (who were both utterly intolerable).Spoiler
other than ab*rtion bad and ruins everyone’s lives apparently ?????? what a strange messageTL;DR The atmosphere got really claustrophobic after a while, and I didn’t quite get the point of the book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abortion, Adult/minor relationship, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, and Sexual violence
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