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bites_of_books's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
At its core, this book is about motherhood, all viewed from the perspective of two young women, Nadia and Audrey, who don't have their mothers in their lives anymore. There are also other mother figures, such as Audrey's sister and her partner, the women at the church who try to give guidance in their own way, and even people at clinics who hold hands and give advice when needed.
Nadia, Audrey, and Luke are three young people whose lives are intertwined throughout the book, they will fall in love, be protective of each other, hold resentments, and even hurt each other as they try to find ways to live their own lives. The influence of their parents, the church, and society weighs heavy on them and they really are only trying to find some kind of happiness in the best way they can.
If you like contemporary stories that take a hard look at the influence of a community on young people, this is a great book to read. It's a heavy book with a lot of sadness and loneliness throughout so do read carefully.
Graphic: Sexual assault, Suicide, Chronic illness, Pregnancy, Medical content, Rape, Abortion, Car accident, Death of parent, Infertility, and Infidelity
sarahholliday's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Like in any story, things happen and events transpire, but emotions are the main star of this story—the healthy and unhealthy ways we deal with them, how complicated and layered they are, how they evolve over time as we grow.
I wouldn't have minded a little more meat to the final chapters of the book.
All of those very small issues aside, The Mothers has proven my theory that Brit Bennett is an automatic-read author for me.
Graphic: Abortion, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Infertility, Injury/Injury detail, Alcohol, Grief, and Infidelity
lindseyas's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Abortion, Death of parent, Infertility, Pregnancy, Rape, and Sexual assault
bandsophiesmom's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Graphic: Abortion, Suicide, and Infertility
arminam's review
- 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
4.25
Graphic: Abortion, Grief, Infertility, Infidelity, and Death of parent
Moderate: Child abuse, Rape, and Suicide
aseel_reads's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Moderate: Abandonment, Abortion, Alcohol, Child abuse, Death of parent, Rape, Adult/minor relationship, Death, Infidelity, Domestic abuse, Medical content, Physical abuse, Grief, Infertility, Sexual assault, Pregnancy, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide
moriahleigh's review
- 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
Moderate: Grief, Suicide, Abortion, Infertility, Death of parent, Alcohol, Child abuse, Injury/Injury detail, and Sexual assault
whatcassiedid's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Infertility, Suicide, Abortion, Infidelity, Sexual assault, Death of parent, Adult/minor relationship, and Child abuse
meggielb's review
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Suicide, Grief, Abortion, Sexual assault, Pedophilia, Abandonment, Pregnancy, Infidelity, Death of parent, Infertility, and Death
Minor: Murder and Racial slurs
sillyslicker's review
- 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
4.25
4.3 stars
Grieving the loss of her mother, Nadia begins to spiral. Spending time with Luke is a great distraction, until she gets pregnant, and an abortion puts an end to the relationship. Nadia never really regrets the decision, but the ripples from it are still felt, even years later. We follow Nadia, Luke, and Aubrey, and watch how their lives unfold after this, and how that decision still seems to affect their lives.
I thought this was a great book. Abortion can be a touchy subject, but the author did a very good job of showing how you can be glad that you did something, and yet, still have issues that arise because of it. I really felt for the characters, and enjoyed getting to know them. I love character-driven novels, and as I had trouble putting it down, I'd say this was a well-crafted, intricate story. Nadia's abortion is at the center, but I think it's more so about the impact that those closest to us have on our lives. The complexities of navigating different relationships, along with our own baggage can be terribly difficult, and sometimes, we mess them up. If you also enjoy slow, character-driven stories about different types of relationships, I'd definitely recommend this one.
Trigger warnings: sex, abortion, self-hatred, infertility, death, suicide, vaginal exam, adultery, lying, unlikeable characters, injuries
Moderate: Death, Sexual content, Abortion, Grief, Suicide, Pregnancy, Death of parent, Infidelity, and Infertility