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vexyspice's review against another edition
4.0
I think everyone has that one person in their life that no matter how much you want to let go you really cant. I also think everyone has "what ifs" floating in their mind. You never know how much something that seems so little has a ripple effect later on in life. The mothers is super relatable and thats what makes the book more enjoyable for me
szirbel's review against another edition
2.0
I had high hopes for this book but unfortunately I ended up getting bored with the characters and the de is ions they made.
hannahboice's review against another edition
4.0
This was a pretty good audiobook. I’m between 3-4 stars because the book was written really well but it isn’t my favorite genre. If you like inter family/social drama it’s perfect for you
bhnmt61's review against another edition
3.0
The Mothers is a beautifully written, compelling story about two young women and the choices they make. It’s an absorbing read, but the beautiful writing is wrapped around a Sunday school morality that dictates that the “bad” girl ends up alone, friendless, and untethered, while the “good” girl gets the (found) family, the baby, and the golden ring.
I thought the first half, before it became clear where she was going with this story, was terrific— but I thought we were on our way to a complex story about grace and accepting responsibility for one’s desperate and/or dumb past decisions. Instead, the second half is just one example after another about how once you’ve made a choice, you can never grow beyond it.
It’s funny that I have a such a strong reaction to this novel, because in real life I am far more like Aubrey, the good girl, than Nadia, the bad girl. In fact, few of Nadia’s choices were choices I would have made. But Nadia gets pummeled in this book and there is no grace and no growth for her. It ended up just making me angry. I hope someday Bennett writes a book that matches complexity with her spectacular writing skill. She has a book coming out later this summer, so maybe she is already there.
I thought the first half, before it became clear where she was going with this story, was terrific— but I thought we were on our way to a complex story about grace and accepting responsibility for one’s desperate and/or dumb past decisions. Instead, the second half is just one example after another about how once you’ve made a choice, you can never grow beyond it.
It’s funny that I have a such a strong reaction to this novel, because in real life I am far more like Aubrey, the good girl, than Nadia, the bad girl. In fact, few of Nadia’s choices were choices I would have made. But Nadia gets pummeled in this book and there is no grace and no growth for her. It ended up just making me angry. I hope someday Bennett writes a book that matches complexity with her spectacular writing skill. She has a book coming out later this summer, so maybe she is already there.
dianawhit's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
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
3.75
catgiorgetti's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
sarahrob's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
tense
slow-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
4.25
It took me a few sittings to get into Mothers, but once I did I was caught. The narration style was a bit frustrating in the opening chapters, I found it difficult to follow timeline and characters, however, grew to appreciate this voice as the book progressed.
This book is a thoughtful reflection on motherhood and mothering. Readers ache for the women in this story; Aubrey and her longing to become a mother and for Nadia and her decision to not. We see each character “mother” in her own way, from Mo protecting Aubrey, to Nadia eventually caring for her father. I found this to be a beautiful representation of mother as a verb and not simply a noun. That mothers hold families and communities alike together by both protecting them, and loving them.
The relationship these two women form is as tragic and it is beautiful. I loved the friendship while knowing that it would be torn apart.
We are hurt along with Aubrey when Luke and Nadia betray her, but also completely understand their need to explore the way they are interconnected.
As an agnostic, I sometimes found I had a hard time understanding the weight of some characters actions, but tried to understand them within the community of the Upper Room and their deep faith. But, in the same vein I really enjoyed reading a book that demonstrated a church community. As this is not a space I occupy, I found it enjoyable to peek inside and see the way they support each other, but also the insidious nature of secrets and gossip, and how The Mothers bring down the one thing they love most, Upper Room, because of this.
Overall I found this story to be thoughtful and engaging. It has me contemplating motherhood, relationships and race all at the same time.
This book is a thoughtful reflection on motherhood and mothering. Readers ache for the women in this story; Aubrey and her longing to become a mother and for Nadia and her decision to not. We see each character “mother” in her own way, from Mo protecting Aubrey, to Nadia eventually caring for her father. I found this to be a beautiful representation of mother as a verb and not simply a noun. That mothers hold families and communities alike together by both protecting them, and loving them.
The relationship these two women form is as tragic and it is beautiful. I loved the friendship while knowing that it would be torn apart.
We are hurt along with Aubrey when Luke and Nadia betray her, but also completely understand their need to explore the way they are interconnected.
As an agnostic, I sometimes found I had a hard time understanding the weight of some characters actions, but tried to understand them within the community of the Upper Room and their deep faith. But, in the same vein I really enjoyed reading a book that demonstrated a church community. As this is not a space I occupy, I found it enjoyable to peek inside and see the way they support each other, but also the insidious nature of secrets and gossip, and how The Mothers bring down the one thing they love most, Upper Room, because of this.
Overall I found this story to be thoughtful and engaging. It has me contemplating motherhood, relationships and race all at the same time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Child abuse, and Adult/minor relationship
kathrynwi's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abortion
phibourjreads's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
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
5.0