Scan barcode
always_need_more_books's review against another edition
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
chattynattyreads's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 ⭐️ I never quite understood who the “mothers” were. I thought it was an OK story. I liked her book The Vanishing Half a lot so this one I likely had too high of expectations. Complex relationships.
erinlgreads's review against another edition
4.0
Quite an enjoyable read. So much so, that I read it in two days!
This is the story of Nadia Turner, at the beginning of the book she is a 17 year old young woman mourning the death of her mother just six months earlier. During the summer before she is set to go to college, she is reacquainted with a young man she knew from her former church and the two strike up what is meant to be a fling but turns into so much more.
'The Mothers' refers to the Mother Board that you would find at any baptist church. Because they are older church going women prone to gossip they would be considered unreliable narrators.
The story is told over a span of seven years and does a good job of showing growth and maturity in all of the main characters. For a debut novel, this one sparkles and I look forward to more good things to come from this author.
This is the story of Nadia Turner, at the beginning of the book she is a 17 year old young woman mourning the death of her mother just six months earlier. During the summer before she is set to go to college, she is reacquainted with a young man she knew from her former church and the two strike up what is meant to be a fling but turns into so much more.
'The Mothers' refers to the Mother Board that you would find at any baptist church. Because they are older church going women prone to gossip they would be considered unreliable narrators.
The story is told over a span of seven years and does a good job of showing growth and maturity in all of the main characters. For a debut novel, this one sparkles and I look forward to more good things to come from this author.
coolbaud's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infertility, Infidelity, Suicide, and Abortion
ruthsuzanne's review against another edition
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
jill_reads's review against another edition
4.0
I quite enjoyed the flighty character narration in this, where it oscillated between the perspectives of different characters without much clear delineation or reason, that was interesting and enjoyable. Also, there are these brief chunks of prose that are so searing and insightful and evocative that I couldn’t help but underline them (which I don’t normally feel compelled to do with novels)… but overall the story fell a little flat for me. As if the author lost a bit of steam by the end and couldn’t think of how to wrap things up. And I’m torn a bit, because the desire for neat and satisfying endings is directly in contrast with the reality of how life is often. So, in some ways, maybe this is realistic to life by having no particularly satisfying endings, but on the other hand it felt weird to not get final thoughts and closure from any of the characters in the end (in my opinion). I can’t help but feel as if it simply felt a bit unfinished, which was disappointing. I’d be interested to read some other books by the author, as I do think Bennett is a very talented writer, and ultimately I think the little blips of incredible writing amidst the sort of ordinary book were emotionally moving enough to bring this to 4 stars for me.
jeanpatterson2's review against another edition
4.0
This is a beautifully written book by a first time novelist, Britt Bennett, an impressive young (very young!) writer. Bennett skillfully weaves together a story about motherhood on multiple levels, with the church mothers serving as a Greek chorus that shapes and moves the story forward. These mothers are simultaneously supportive and caring as well as judgmental and gossipy. Motherhood is examined and refracted in several dimensions, revolving around a young woman, Nadia, who lost her own mother to suicide and struggles to understand her mother's choice. Nadia finds herself pregnant by Luke, the pastor's son, and makes the decision to have an abortion. The consequences that decision sets into motion affect Nadia and Luke's lives in unexpected ways. Luke's own mother is implicated in Nadia's decision to have an abortion and Luke turns to other women who can mother him. The story is finely drawn and complex with no resolution at the end. She certainly leaves you wanting more.
carolinehitesman's review against another edition
4.0
I love Brit Bennett. The Mothers was good, but not as good as the Vanishing Half.
virgcole398's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Suicide, Grief, Suicide attempt, and Death of parent
Moderate: Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Abortion, and Pregnancy
Minor: Infidelity