Reviews

The Mothers by Brit Bennett

jfaberrit's review against another edition

3.0

At the beginning of this book, I was pretty sure I was really going to like it, and I think it was excellent throughout the first half, as seen through Nadia's eyes, since she was a compelling character with a strong point of view. Over time, though, the momentum dissipated, leaving it in something of a muddle. More than anything else, I think this one has trouble with some of the things that bedevil books set over a decade or more -- characters end up stuck, retreading the same worn ground, not really going anywhere. The things that seem momentous in high school really shouldn't seem the same way for characters in their twenties, and that growth just wasn't present here.

maureen_coeck's review against another edition

hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

Another great novel by Bennett. Such an engaging read - a realistic story with complex characters and a good pace.

clairesle's review against another edition

5.0

Captivating

I found this an easy, well-paced read. Although the subject matter can be heavy for some, I found it relatable as a new mother. It captures several variations of motherhood and girlhood in general. A perfect summer bildungsroman!

_emilyreadthat's review against another edition

emotional mysterious sad

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

This book is kind of like the 2010s version of Sula. It is hard to love the main character wholly, because she is often so adverse to making space for other people and her actions hurt those around her. The language is this book is phenomenal with great lines. It tackles grief in a way that shows the complexity of seemingly *small*  moments in life. The novel is good at keeping the reader’s attention too; I read it in a day. I was desperate for some resolution but everytime I thought we weree about to get one, it went up in smoke.

Wish Aubrey’s storyline didn’t end so abruptly. What happened to military man? :(

thisismeandme's review against another edition

sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

solitaireflower's review against another edition

emotional reflective 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

4.0

makennakjacobs's review against another edition

4.75

This book was so well-written and paced. The setting and the characters felt real but also dream-like, somehow - you could picture this happening, but it was also very contained in its world. No extraneous people to make the world wider than it was (which was the point). 

karenmcconaughey's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

lovelyday2day's review against another edition

5.0

Loved this. Beautiful writing and characters, and liked exploration of Nadia’s relationships with her parents.

“The pier was nothing but a long piece of wood that kept crumbling until it was rebuilt, and years later, she wondered if that was the point, if sometimes the glory was in rebuilding the broken thing, not the result but the process of trying.”

nerdy_reader_9571's review against another edition

challenging emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75