Reviews

The Lost Mother by Mary McGarry Morris

karenleagermain's review against another edition

4.0

A depression era book that follows a family that is torn apart by poverty and circumstance. The main focus is a young brother and sister, who are shuffled to various living arrangements, when their parents are no longer able to care for them. I thought this book was particularly depressing, because the children reminded me of my niece and nephew, who have had a hard time in their own lives.

melissahoward's review against another edition

3.0

The characters were compelling but the story depressing. I wrote a review about it for Suite101.

judyward's review against another edition

1.0

I HATED this book. Maybe that wasn't strong enough. I really hated this book. Why I finished it is beyond me. What a total downer. Oh no, I'm wrong. The last chapter was redemptive. Only you had to wade through hundreds of pages of total downer to get the 15 pages of everything turns out fine. This book features a runaway mother who ultimately turns her children over to an orphanage, then tries to adopt out the daughter to the wealthy couple who were horrible. Why you ask? Well, there's a creepy relationship between the wealthy mother and her handicapped son--she wants 12 year old Thomas and 8 year Margaret to live in her house as playmates to her son. Then the son tries some creepy behavior toward the 8 year old. Need I go on? Has the whole world gone crazy for these children? I forgot to mention that the wealthy family had their father put into jail. I could go on, but I'm remembering too much of the plot.

ellenbarker's review against another edition

4.0

A haunting story of a young brother and sister whose mother leaves the family. The father tries to cope, but the Depression years are tough in their rural community. It's a realistic story of young children's love, fear, hope, resilience, and struggle.

delladegroff's review against another edition

3.0

The story follows a young man in particular and his journey with grief and anger. I did enjoy the emotions that this booked played off of. However, I did feel like the book was quite slow and anti-climactic.

thrifty_librarian's review

3.0

I liked this book, but I hate when reviewers make it harder to enjoy a book by writing impossibly lofty comments. Like, oversell much? This is surely not the only case (if I hear how [a:Christopher Moore|16218|Christopher Moore|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/authors/1200095788p2/16218.jpg] is like [a:Kurt Vonnegut|2778055|Kurt Vonnegut|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/authors/1357661500p2/2778055.jpg] one more time I'm going to...um...rant about it all by myself like I'm doing now). Sorry to be snooty, but comparing Morris to [a:John Steinbeck|585|John Steinbeck|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/authors/1182118389p2/585.jpg] is like comparing Katy Perry to Aretha Franklin. Sure, Perry is entertaining - tell me you haven't had "Dark Horse" in your had lately and I'll tell you YOU LIE :-). And Perry and Franklin have even sung about some of the same things. But each woman's level of depth and quality and importance to the evolution of music is just...different.

Anyway, this book was entertaining. It's a sad story of two children whose mother abandons them and their father during the Great Depression. The children endure miserable living conditions with their father while being fought for by a creepy rich lady (the wife of the father's landlord and enemy) and tended to by a kind woman who "should've" married their father back in the day.

There's a lot of depth to the story and many twists. I found the resolution (pre-epilogue) sappy, but liked the ultimate ending.

I tend to find Morris's writing style at turns childlike and soothing. Sometimes I feel a bit like I'm being written down to - this is probably the closest I get to reading "chick lit" (which is a condescending name, even, don't you think?). The fact is, though, that Morris writes good stories with believable characters. She did an excellent job with character development here, too, as there were many characters but I knew enough about each to understand him.

Recommend for folks who like weird coming of age stories or tales about runaway moms.

lorraine_b's review against another edition

4.0

This is the heartbreaking account told by 13 year old Thomas during the Depression era. He lives in Vermont in a tent in the woods with his dad and his younger sister Margaret after his mother leaves to "seek a better job elsewhere."



A perfect example of how children interpret the mysteries of adults. With what little information his dad has told him as to why his mother left his innocence paints a different story than the truth and he is determined to find his mother, either to bring her home or to go live with her. Life for Thomas and his sister have not been easy while in their father's care who seems to be on a streak of bad luck. When they are informed their dad had to leave for temporary out-of-town job they are passed from house to house. At first they are happy at each place once they are warm and fed but each household reveals their skeleton and ultimately making it impossible for the children to stay.



Mary McGarry Morris does a superb job in depicting Thomas's emotional, frustrating and painful experience as he finds his way to the truth. Definitely my favorite to date that I've read by this author. I would recommend this book for those who appreciate thoughtful reading.



How I acquired this book: Barnes & Noble clearance shelf

Shelf Life: Approximately 3 years.

timshel's review

3.0

Comparisons run wild in the world of art. Music labels try to convice eager listeners that they have discovered the next U2. Galleries are filled with the paintings of the next Picasso. And every publisher in the world has the next Harry Potter in the works. If a comparison can be made, it is exploited.

I'd like to say that I am beyond such corporate trickery. Unfortunately, everytime I come across "the next [insert favorite band, artist, author here]" I find myself disappointed. Sometimes they're okay, maybe even good, but great? Never. Nothing ever compares to the artist who opened my eyes to a new world.

I should have known better when the first sentence in the jacket of Mary McGarry Morris' most recent novel compared her to John Steinbeck. Of course she wouldn't be Steinbeck. None of my favorite authors are Steinbeck, so why would I expect Ms. Morris to be? Having this comparison in mind from the onset of my reading, however, made it difficult to dismiss.

I can see how the connection was made: the plot of The Lost Mother is similar in nature to some of Steinbeck's novels. It is the story of a stressed mother who leaves her husband and two children to distance herself from all she hates about rural living. The Depression happens and the family loses everything. Of course it only gets worse with corruption, imprisonment, and tons of disappoinment. And just like Steinbeck, there is that ray of hope that shines through despite everything. But the plot is the only element that can be compared.

Morris' writing style is quite dry. It is simple—no more than a narrative of an event with few extra words or insights. Despite its promise, The Lost Mother barely touched upon my emotions or my logic.

The Lost Mother is not for those who like a like-hearted read. It's also not for those who wish to be challenged. It is for that rare breed who enjoys a somber story, but doesn't wish to be provoked: a rare audience indeed.

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