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lifeand100books's review against another edition
5.0
Recently I had the pleasure of watching the amazing miniseries Mildred Pierce on HBO starring Kate Winslet. I had previously seen the 1945 film adapted version of Cain’s book starring Joan Crawford. However, the miniseries had quite a different tone and feel to it, piquing my interest in the story and prompting me to seek out Cain’s work. I am extremely glad that I did, as his story shows us human compassion that goes to such extremes and asks for nothing in return. It is an amazing story that will change the way you view a mother’s love for her daughter.
Mildred Pierce begins with a typical nuclear family in Great Depression-era Glendale, California. Mildred Pierce discovers that her husband, Bert, has been unfaithful to her and she promptly kicks him out. Accustomed to a comfortable lifestyle, Mildred is suddenly forced to accept that she must work to support herself and her daughters, Moire and Veda. After a long struggle, Mildred finds a job as a waitress at a local diner and works tirelessly keep the family afloat. Moire (known as “Ray”), the younger of the two daughters, is sympathetic to her mother’s plight and works to cheer the family up. Veda, however, sees her mother as more of an embarrassment and shrugs her attentions off, even as Mildred brings in money that Veda spends thoughtlessly. Sadly, Ray becomes seriously ill as Mildred is away on a spur of the moment trip with a new love interest named Monty. As soon as Mildred returns upon hearing of Ray’s illness, Ray dies. Vera blames Mildred squarely for Ray’s death, and begins to flirt with Monty blatantly in front of Mildred. As Mildred becomes increasingly successful by opening a line of restaurants, Veda’s hatred of Mildred increases and her outlandish actions become too much for Mildred to handle. Will Veda ever reconcile with Mildred? Will something more develop between Veda and Monty?
Cain’s novel is a striking example of the hard-boiled American novel. For those unfamiliar with the term “hard-boiled”, it’s representative of a writing style made popular in the 1930′s that depicts sex and violence in an unsympathetic and cold manner. Veda is a prime example of this cold, unfeeling, spoiled, and heartless character type. She has sex without feeling, using it as a catalyst in her quest to be somebody worth something. Because of Veda’s “high standards”, Mildred has an incessant need to impress her, and therefore becomes hard-boiled herself. She has a sexual relationship with a man that she eventually marries (Monty), not because of love, but convenience. She needs him for his social status, and he needs her for financial support. There is nothing that’s really appealing about any of these characters, yet the way Cain describes them and writes them is completely gripping. You become invested in this story with characters you can’t help but have strong feelings for, and find yourself mesmerized by their plights.
The novel is a great view into the lengths of what a person would do to impress someone they love. It’s also a great discussion piece, one I highly recommend for any of you involved in book clubs. You really have to tear apart the characters and their actions and delve into the deeper meaning of this work. There is much more at stake here than a flawed mother-daughter relationship; it’s a microscopic view of human nature at its greediest.
Kimberly (Reflections of a Book Addict)
http://wp.me/p18lIL-wh
Mildred Pierce begins with a typical nuclear family in Great Depression-era Glendale, California. Mildred Pierce discovers that her husband, Bert, has been unfaithful to her and she promptly kicks him out. Accustomed to a comfortable lifestyle, Mildred is suddenly forced to accept that she must work to support herself and her daughters, Moire and Veda. After a long struggle, Mildred finds a job as a waitress at a local diner and works tirelessly keep the family afloat. Moire (known as “Ray”), the younger of the two daughters, is sympathetic to her mother’s plight and works to cheer the family up. Veda, however, sees her mother as more of an embarrassment and shrugs her attentions off, even as Mildred brings in money that Veda spends thoughtlessly. Sadly, Ray becomes seriously ill as Mildred is away on a spur of the moment trip with a new love interest named Monty. As soon as Mildred returns upon hearing of Ray’s illness, Ray dies. Vera blames Mildred squarely for Ray’s death, and begins to flirt with Monty blatantly in front of Mildred. As Mildred becomes increasingly successful by opening a line of restaurants, Veda’s hatred of Mildred increases and her outlandish actions become too much for Mildred to handle. Will Veda ever reconcile with Mildred? Will something more develop between Veda and Monty?
Cain’s novel is a striking example of the hard-boiled American novel. For those unfamiliar with the term “hard-boiled”, it’s representative of a writing style made popular in the 1930′s that depicts sex and violence in an unsympathetic and cold manner. Veda is a prime example of this cold, unfeeling, spoiled, and heartless character type. She has sex without feeling, using it as a catalyst in her quest to be somebody worth something. Because of Veda’s “high standards”, Mildred has an incessant need to impress her, and therefore becomes hard-boiled herself. She has a sexual relationship with a man that she eventually marries (Monty), not because of love, but convenience. She needs him for his social status, and he needs her for financial support. There is nothing that’s really appealing about any of these characters, yet the way Cain describes them and writes them is completely gripping. You become invested in this story with characters you can’t help but have strong feelings for, and find yourself mesmerized by their plights.
The novel is a great view into the lengths of what a person would do to impress someone they love. It’s also a great discussion piece, one I highly recommend for any of you involved in book clubs. You really have to tear apart the characters and their actions and delve into the deeper meaning of this work. There is much more at stake here than a flawed mother-daughter relationship; it’s a microscopic view of human nature at its greediest.
Kimberly (Reflections of a Book Addict)
http://wp.me/p18lIL-wh
pdez26's review against another edition
4.25
I enjoyed this book and could not put it down at parts. Interested to watch the movies now!
karenleagermain's review against another edition
5.0
I could not put James Cain’s “Mildred Pierce” down. The entire story is a train wreck and I felt like a voyeur! My gut reaction to this story is it’s a cautionary tale about child/parent relationships. Mildred’s relationship with her daughter Vera is completely flawed. Mildred spends the entire book trying to earn Vera’s respect. She gives in to Vera’s every whim and actually spoils her rotten. Vera is cold, calculating and disrespectful towards her mother. Mildred makes excuses for Vera’s behavior, even when it’s completely inexcusable. Just because you have a child, doesn’t mean this child will love or respect you. Also, “spare the rod, spoil the child” comes to mind. Not that Vera should have been actually beaten, but she needed to learn some hard lessons. Vera is treated like a princess and Mildred is her servant.
Mildred is not a complete victim in the story. In fact, where she is a victim, she is a victim of her own folly. On a whole, she is a strong woman with many faults. She can also be manipulative, just not in the cruel way that Vera operates.
I loved that the story was set in my hometown of Glendale…but I wish that they had more positive things to say about it! Towards the end of the book, I started to feel like I needed to move!
I cannot wait for the HBO miniseries of the book!!!
Mildred is not a complete victim in the story. In fact, where she is a victim, she is a victim of her own folly. On a whole, she is a strong woman with many faults. She can also be manipulative, just not in the cruel way that Vera operates.
I loved that the story was set in my hometown of Glendale…but I wish that they had more positive things to say about it! Towards the end of the book, I started to feel like I needed to move!
I cannot wait for the HBO miniseries of the book!!!
silverops's review
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
dantastic's review against another edition
3.0
Mildred Pierce divorces her out of work, philandering husband and struggles to find a way to support herself and her two daughters. Too bad she attracts lazy scoundrels like a magnet and one of her daughters is a hellion...
Mildred Pierce is the tale of the titular character's obsessive devotion to her wicked nigh-sociopathic daughter and her wrong choices in men. Cain guides Mildred and her fabulous gams from one setback to the next, either from Veda or one of her douchebag suitors.
The writing is good though I didn't think it was as powerful as that of Double Indemnity or Postman. Still, it had its moments. My favorite quote was “The hand that holds the money cracks the whip.”
It wasn't the easiest book to read, however. I couldn't get behind any of the characters and I really wanted someone to start plotting to bump someone off. Mildred pretty much deserved all the crap that came her way, especially since she was glad Veda wasn't the child of hers that died. A lot of double crosses would have been great,
Until Mildred Pierce, I thought James M. Cain was a one trick pony. Granted, he did that one trick very well in [b:The Postman Always Rings Twice|250483|The Postman Always Rings Twice|James M. Cain|http://www.goodreads.com/assets/nocover/60x80.png|808562] and [b:Double Indemnity|1308914|Double Indemnity|James M. Cain|http://www.goodreads.com/assets/nocover/60x80.png|1298177]. Mildred Pierce shows that Cain had some serious writing chops even when not writing about married women and their lovers bump off their husbands. Three stars.
Also posted at Shelf Inflicted
Mildred Pierce is the tale of the titular character's obsessive devotion to her wicked nigh-sociopathic daughter and her wrong choices in men. Cain guides Mildred and her fabulous gams from one setback to the next, either from Veda or one of her douchebag suitors.
The writing is good though I didn't think it was as powerful as that of Double Indemnity or Postman. Still, it had its moments. My favorite quote was “The hand that holds the money cracks the whip.”
It wasn't the easiest book to read, however. I couldn't get behind any of the characters and I really wanted someone to start plotting to bump someone off. Mildred pretty much deserved all the crap that came her way, especially since she was glad Veda wasn't the child of hers that died. A lot of double crosses would have been great,
Spoiler
especially with Veda and Monty engaging in adult situations and strong sexual content unbeknownst to Mildred.Until Mildred Pierce, I thought James M. Cain was a one trick pony. Granted, he did that one trick very well in [b:The Postman Always Rings Twice|250483|The Postman Always Rings Twice|James M. Cain|http://www.goodreads.com/assets/nocover/60x80.png|808562] and [b:Double Indemnity|1308914|Double Indemnity|James M. Cain|http://www.goodreads.com/assets/nocover/60x80.png|1298177]. Mildred Pierce shows that Cain had some serious writing chops even when not writing about married women and their lovers bump off their husbands. Three stars.
Also posted at Shelf Inflicted
lizaroo71's review against another edition
4.0
Mildred Pierce is a woman that is on the verge of divorce as the story opens. Her husband is a n'er do well and Mildred has been making up the difference in income by baking pies (which she is really good at doing).
Mildred has two daughters, Vida and Ray, that are her motivation to move ahead with her life and do things for herself. She becomes a successful businesswoman and has three restaurants she calls her own. Mildred even finds a man to fill the spot of her husband.
The problem seems to be her devotion to a daughter, Vida, that aspires to bigger and better things in life (even when Mildred has given her a comfortable life). This point is more relevant because the story is set in the thirties when the US was experiencing an economic depression.
By the end of the novel, you find that everything is not as it seems and some of the characters created here are truly manipulative.
Cain has written other novels that I have heard of, but never read. I think I will get to his other books in the future.
Mildred has two daughters, Vida and Ray, that are her motivation to move ahead with her life and do things for herself. She becomes a successful businesswoman and has three restaurants she calls her own. Mildred even finds a man to fill the spot of her husband.
The problem seems to be her devotion to a daughter, Vida, that aspires to bigger and better things in life (even when Mildred has given her a comfortable life). This point is more relevant because the story is set in the thirties when the US was experiencing an economic depression.
By the end of the novel, you find that everything is not as it seems and some of the characters created here are truly manipulative.
Cain has written other novels that I have heard of, but never read. I think I will get to his other books in the future.
lorettalucia's review against another edition
5.0
A surprisingly subtle novel about the dark side of the American Dream. So much more to it than the somewhat melodramatic plot would suggest.
5 stars.
5 stars.
lgpiper's review against another edition
4.0
Very good. James M. Cain is known for his noire works. I'm not sure this qualifies as one of those.
Basically, it's the story of a young woman during the Depression. Her husband loses his real-estate business and takes up with a floozy. The young woman needs to support herself and daughters. Her only real talent is cooking. Desperate for a job, she takes a gig as a waitress. Eventually she gets into the restaurant business and builds a successful business. There are many setbacks along the way—she has several inappropriate liaisons and a daughter who is 100% diva—but she more-or-less triumphs. Actually, the triumph part isn't completely clear. But with her basic grit and determination, one expects she'll get things on track. Whatever, an interesting take on the 1930s.
Basically, it's the story of a young woman during the Depression. Her husband loses his real-estate business and takes up with a floozy. The young woman needs to support herself and daughters. Her only real talent is cooking. Desperate for a job, she takes a gig as a waitress. Eventually she gets into the restaurant business and builds a successful business. There are many setbacks along the way—she has several inappropriate liaisons and a daughter who is 100% diva—but she more-or-less triumphs. Actually, the triumph part isn't completely clear. But with her basic grit and determination, one expects she'll get things on track. Whatever, an interesting take on the 1930s.
skizzyskee's review against another edition
5.0
I first watched the 1945 Mildred Pierce film adaptation in April of 2019 and instantly fell in love with this story. When I found out it was based on a novel, I knew I had to read it.
It’s so hard not to feel for Mildred, her tenacity, pride, and independence, but also you just want to shake her for loving her child too damned much as she perpetuates this unhealthy relationship with Veda. Another reader described it as the “psychological warfare” present in this book, and I couldn’t agree more. The constant undulating of their relationship from good to bad is both captivating and entirely frustrating.
I’ve loathed Veda from that first viewing in 2019 and the book only drives the hatred home more. Although I enjoy both the movie ending and the book ending, I find the movie ending slightly more interesting while the book is a little anticlimactic. But that’s also Golden Age Hollywood for you.
It’s so hard not to feel for Mildred, her tenacity, pride, and independence, but also you just want to shake her for loving her child too damned much as she perpetuates this unhealthy relationship with Veda. Another reader described it as the “psychological warfare” present in this book, and I couldn’t agree more. The constant undulating of their relationship from good to bad is both captivating and entirely frustrating.
I’ve loathed Veda from that first viewing in 2019 and the book only drives the hatred home more. Although I enjoy both the movie ending and the book ending, I find the movie ending slightly more interesting while the book is a little anticlimactic. But that’s also Golden Age Hollywood for you.
kate66's review against another edition
3.0
I watched the film many years ago and it made an impression. However having now read the book I realise that my impression was somewhat skewed. Mildred does indeed suffer at the hands of her snobby, greedy daughter but she has made that rod for her own back. In the film we see Mildred being taken for a fool as she tries time upon time to provide the bear for her remaining child. However the book makes it clear that Mildred is the original inverted snob - a uniform is beneath her, a job as a waitress is for the lower classes.
I had a lot of sympathy for Joan Crawford's Mildred but now I think she deserved everything she ended up with.
It's a scary book to read because it's so easy to fall into the same parental traps but it is an excellent cautionary tale.
On a final note if I hear "Ye gods and little fishes" as intoned by Veda on an hourly basis it seemed, I will scream.
I had a lot of sympathy for Joan Crawford's Mildred but now I think she deserved everything she ended up with.
It's a scary book to read because it's so easy to fall into the same parental traps but it is an excellent cautionary tale.
On a final note if I hear "Ye gods and little fishes" as intoned by Veda on an hourly basis it seemed, I will scream.