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3.96 AVERAGE
3.96 AVERAGE
Lyrical. Beautifully written story that mercilessly yanks on your heart strings. Impossible not to know and love the complex characters.
4.5 stars
I've read this book twice now (physical and audio—both are great), but I still have a hard time describing my thoughts about it. To sum up my overall feelings toward it: The Mothers is one big heartache.
It's filled with loss and betrayal, and it packs a punch in terms of moral dilemmas, causing both discomfort and empathy among its readers. However, the writing alone is worth it. Brit Bennett is such a talented writer. She wrote The Mothers when she was just 25, which is insane to me. (She also wrote The Vanishing Half by the time she turned 30!)
It's amazing to me the way she tackles controversial subjects in such a profound voice, especially being so young. I think this is one of those stories that will hit people very differently depending on their background and the time of reading.
I've read this book twice now (physical and audio—both are great), but I still have a hard time describing my thoughts about it. To sum up my overall feelings toward it: The Mothers is one big heartache.
It's filled with loss and betrayal, and it packs a punch in terms of moral dilemmas, causing both discomfort and empathy among its readers. However, the writing alone is worth it. Brit Bennett is such a talented writer. She wrote The Mothers when she was just 25, which is insane to me. (She also wrote The Vanishing Half by the time she turned 30!)
It's amazing to me the way she tackles controversial subjects in such a profound voice, especially being so young. I think this is one of those stories that will hit people very differently depending on their background and the time of reading.
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I loved the themes of this book. I only give it a 3/5 because it was very hard to read at a steady pace.
I preferred Vanishing Half to this but appreciate how she weaves coincidence into her plot to drive twists
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Infertility, Infidelity, Sexual assault, Suicide, Abortion, Pregnancy, Toxic friendship, Injury/Injury detail
challenging
emotional
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
So glad to have finally read Brit Bennett’s debut after loving The Vanishing Half, her second novel. I can see how the two are tied together - both stories of the deep relationships between women, how our families and communities shape us, and what it’s like to come of age when things are unusually and uniquely hard. I really liked this one, though not as much as VH, perhaps it felt a bit long in the middle? But the ending is so well done and the writing is fabulous. Can’t wait for whatever she’s got coming next for us.
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
sad