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kdtoverbooked's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
This book is not for me. I found all the characters generally irksome. The main climatic event between the two best friends should have resulted in a bitch slap, knockout kind of punch. After reading this, I’ll be leery to read another Brit Bennett book (as I didn’t love the Vanishing Half either) but I know there will be enough hype surrounding her next release to have me read it.
lucyosullivan's review against another edition
4.0
Really like Brit Bennet as an author, and the format of this book with “The Mothers” narrating at times. A little bit predictable but overall poignant and engrossing.
meisbres's review against another edition
3.0
I can see why book discussion groups read this title. So much to discuss!
notvibing's review against another edition
4.0
The Mothers is a story about life, love, friendships and so much more. It's about Nadia and Luke and Aubrey who are lovers or friends or both. Their lives intertwine constantly, and their secrets shape the relationships between them. We see their lives evolve from teenagers to adults and I think my favourite part of the book were the characters' relationships. Aubrey and Nadia's friendship was so beautifully written and felt so real and tangible to me.
I loved Bennett's writing, in general, a lot. It was gripping and wonderful and interesting. The only place where I didn't quite get it was when the Mothers were the narrators. The Mothers are old women in the community of Upper Room (a church) who have their own thoughts on everything in the story, on everything that happens to Nadia and Luke and Aubrey and their families. I love the idea of having them as narrators and I do feel like they made some great points and were a lovely addition but sometimes I took me a while to understand what they meant or that this chapter was in fact from their perspective. I don't know, they didn't always work for me.
The main characters as well as everyone around them encounter some quite dramatic events, and this includes abortions, racism, death, injury, betrayal and sexual abuse. Especially in those moments, Bennett's writing was brilliant. So sharp and sudden and just generally great.
I was quite dissatisfied with the ending but not because it was bad, it just wasn't what I had wished for. That doesn't really change much about my opinion on this book, though, the Mothers is still great and I'd definitely recommend it.
I loved Bennett's writing, in general, a lot. It was gripping and wonderful and interesting. The only place where I didn't quite get it was when the Mothers were the narrators. The Mothers are old women in the community of Upper Room (a church) who have their own thoughts on everything in the story, on everything that happens to Nadia and Luke and Aubrey and their families. I love the idea of having them as narrators and I do feel like they made some great points and were a lovely addition but sometimes I took me a while to understand what they meant or that this chapter was in fact from their perspective. I don't know, they didn't always work for me.
The main characters as well as everyone around them encounter some quite dramatic events, and this includes abortions, racism, death, injury, betrayal and sexual abuse. Especially in those moments, Bennett's writing was brilliant. So sharp and sudden and just generally great.
I was quite dissatisfied with the ending but not because it was bad, it just wasn't what I had wished for. That doesn't really change much about my opinion on this book, though, the Mothers is still great and I'd definitely recommend it.
stuartjrodriguez's review against another edition
5.0
Lord. What a beautiful, painful, haunting novel. Bennett’s prose is gorgeous, her characters and their emotions and interactions are authentic, and their world of Oceanside, California is vivid and real. This is a fabulous debut novel, and I can’t wait to read more of Bennett’s work.
willa_s's review against another edition
5.0
First and foremost, this author is an excellent writer. The writing added such depth and nuance to the story and I felt in love with her style. Additionally, Nadia was magnetic, flawed, and smart. She was such an appealing character, even in her darkest times. It was such insight into abortion in the black community and I felt like I learned a lot while enjoying an excellent story.
novelnotions's review against another edition
5.0
I loved the development of the three main characters and how their lives evolved in both connected and disparate ways. The theme of mothers, different ways to mother, and different ways to mother was woven beautifully throughout the story and I can't wait to read more from Brit Bennett.