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emmiliofeathtevez's review against another edition
1.0
How this author was compared to Garner or Tsiolkas I have no idea. I DNF this book as I just found the characters relationships and the story far fetched and the book sloppily written.
kellytsak's review against another edition
3.0
Mothers and daughters follows the live of four mothers and daughters who struggle to learn the places in each others lives, on a holiday in Broome. It highlights some of the challenges of raising teenage daughters and the want for daughters to strike out on their own and become adults.
The mothers struck me as a bunch of self centred, racist, bitchy women who had no idea what was going on in their daughters lives, the exception to this is Amira who is painted as a goody too shoed saint. The daughters range from extremely vain to meek and seem to have nothing in common. They are somewhat believable as characters but a bit too far stereotyped.
My biggest problem with the book was that it didn't tend to really go anywhere and only a couple of the characters grew and evolved. I could recommend this book to the right person but it is probably not for everyone, an easy and fast read.
The mothers struck me as a bunch of self centred, racist, bitchy women who had no idea what was going on in their daughters lives, the exception to this is Amira who is painted as a goody too shoed saint. The daughters range from extremely vain to meek and seem to have nothing in common. They are somewhat believable as characters but a bit too far stereotyped.
My biggest problem with the book was that it didn't tend to really go anywhere and only a couple of the characters grew and evolved. I could recommend this book to the right person but it is probably not for everyone, an easy and fast read.
jjv84's review against another edition
3.0
This book was a great fiction read based in a beautiful part of Australia. Based on four mothers and daughters you see the different relationships that are formed between them. You see how friendships are based because the mothers are friends but you see how teenage girls act. It definitely reminded me of myself as a rebellious teenager
busyreading's review against another edition
3.0
Friends Morag, Fiona, and Caro along with their daughters Janey, Bronte and Mary were all looking forward to spending a week with their friend, Amira and her daughter Tess. Amira and Tess lived about two hours north of Broome where Amira worked as a teacher in an aboriginal school.
As days go by the holiday that should've been relaxing and fun soon turns into the complete opposite. And being in a remote area like Lombadina wasn't making it any easier with no mobile phone or internet reception. And at night the girls couldn't go out as there was nowhere like nightclubs to visit. Friendships were strained to say the least and the mothers were driven to their limits by their moody teenage daughters.
I was looking forward to reading this book, but unfortunately I didn't enjoy it as much as I thought I was going to. I did enjoy the setting and I did enjoy reading about the aboriginal community. The amount of swear words used in this book is what really put me off. I feel there are many words that could've been applied instead of the ones that were used throughout this story, but in saying that I'm sure this book will be enjoyed by many.
With thanks to Goodreads First Reads Giveaway for my copy to read and review.
As days go by the holiday that should've been relaxing and fun soon turns into the complete opposite. And being in a remote area like Lombadina wasn't making it any easier with no mobile phone or internet reception. And at night the girls couldn't go out as there was nowhere like nightclubs to visit. Friendships were strained to say the least and the mothers were driven to their limits by their moody teenage daughters.
I was looking forward to reading this book, but unfortunately I didn't enjoy it as much as I thought I was going to. I did enjoy the setting and I did enjoy reading about the aboriginal community. The amount of swear words used in this book is what really put me off. I feel there are many words that could've been applied instead of the ones that were used throughout this story, but in saying that I'm sure this book will be enjoyed by many.
With thanks to Goodreads First Reads Giveaway for my copy to read and review.
shelleyrae's review against another edition
4.0
A thought provoking and provocative story, Mothers and Daughters is Kylie Ladd's fourth novel.
Caro, Fiona and Morag, joined by daughters Janey, Bronte and Macy, are looking forward to a weeks holiday near Broome to catch up with close friend Amira, and her daughter Tess. It should be a week of relaxation and recreation, but as the days pass, tension between mothers and daughters, and between the girls, rises, testing the bonds of family and friendships.
A novel driven by theme and character rather than plot, Kylie Ladd explores the complicated dynamics between mothers and their teenage daughters and the many issues that divide and unite them.
The relationship between Fiona and Bronte is one of the most interesting, I think. Fiona, hyper critical of her daughter, often laments that Bronte is nothing like her but in fact it is the similarities between them that provokes her. Bronte's meekness reflects the powerlessness Fiona feels in her life and her marriage in particular and she directs her anger and resentment about the situation at her daughter. Despite Fiona's blunt and often crass demeanor, exacerbated by her fondness for a drink, I developed some sympathy for her, and was happy to see the seeds of change.
Janey is the least likeable of the group, typifying the worst traits of teen 'mean' girls- vain, thoughtless, and self involved. Whereas Fiona is hyper critical of Bronte, Janey's mother, Caro, eventually admits to willfully overlooking her daughters faults.
"I've been too soft on her. I've always told her how beautiful and clever she is, and now she believes it....I wanted her to be perfect, because it made me look good, so I acted as if she was."
Ladd also explores the way that we often reflect our own experience of being mothered in our relationships with our daughters. Caro is anxious about being a perfect mother because hers never had the chance, Fiona essentially estranged from her own mother, has no idea how to close the gap between herself and Bronte.
Mothers and Daughters also comments on the way in which modern city/suburban life has encroached on our relationships with our children, underscored by the contrast between the relationship between Amira and Tess and the relationships between the mothers and daughters that remained in Melbourne.
Through the differing perspectives of Ladd's characters, other issues raised in the novel include friendship, step-parenting, sex, marriage, home, and social issues such as cyber-bullying. Inspired by the setting, Ladd also explores racism and indigenous culture and community.
I glimpse elements of my own relationship with my mother, and my teenage daughter, in this story of these women and girls, and pieces of mothers and daughters I have known in the characters.
lauraanne's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 Stars
I found this a little bit boring for my tastes but it was still an enjoyable read. I think it's something most people would call a "pool side read".
I did enjoy how well written the relationships were written between the mothers and daughters, and the friends. Ladd really managed to convey the complexity in all relationships and I recognised the dynamics between everyone from my own experience.
I'd say this isn't for everyone, especially those who like a little excitement, but definitely worth a go.
Ps. Janey is a horrid teenager. Just saying.
I found this a little bit boring for my tastes but it was still an enjoyable read. I think it's something most people would call a "pool side read".
I did enjoy how well written the relationships were written between the mothers and daughters, and the friends. Ladd really managed to convey the complexity in all relationships and I recognised the dynamics between everyone from my own experience.
I'd say this isn't for everyone, especially those who like a little excitement, but definitely worth a go.
Ps. Janey is a horrid teenager. Just saying.
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