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A review by laurapk
The Other Mother by Rachel M. Harper
4.0
Interesting perspective into what truly makes a family, but slightly overwritten. I liked that every character in the novel was flawed but understandable--all excepting the son of the eponymous Other Mother. Jenry was unsufferable in his entitlement, hubris and cruelty. The author called him out a little on his behaviour, but not that much, which makes me wonder if she thought his behaviour was excusable.
Briefly: the story is told through the perspective of multiple characters involved in this queer extended family. It's interesting to realize the family was formed for the wrong reasons, yet held together by a love that transcended physical atraction and egos. The middle however started to sag, and for a few chapters I considered abandoning the book. It wasn't until we got close to the end, when the narrative tightened again, that I got sucked back in. I can't help but wonder if the looming wordcount limit forced the author and editors to focus and condense. As a result, the story still had blind spots that I believe could have been filled in without compromising the core theme. Jenry for example could have been explored more, and maybe I'd have been able to overcome my revulsion for him. Because honestly, his cruelty in addressing his immediate and extended family when he finds out he wasn't told the whole truth, the ease with which he starts dropping classes and derailing his studies is just screaming of entitlement and spoilt behaviour. This young man got doted on and his family probably created a monster. I can tell you I know lots of people who found out horrible secrets in their families which involved abuse of vulnerable individuals (something that Jenry did NOT experience), and those people carried on with their studies and responsabilities without throwing a childish tantrum. Jenry has a stipend he's willing to just throw away because he's hurt he didn't know he had a second mother and a more complex and complicated family--which clearly loved him. And it's not even because he was forced into a career he didn't want. No, the fact that he's 18 years old does not justify his childness.
Overall the story was beatifully written however and explored issues of addiction with empathy while offering great insight. it's not just about being sober, but about emotional sobriety--not just putting the past away but coming face-to-face with the pain of it, that's how you can release it. At times the poetry went into the realm of absurdity We got a lot of beautiful scenery descriptions but in the middle part inannimate objects (see umbrella) became unnecessary participants in conversations.
3.5 stars rounded up for emotional complexity. I would read more from the author in the future, but would aprreciate more concise editing.
Briefly: the story is told through the perspective of multiple characters involved in this queer extended family. It's interesting to realize the family was formed for the wrong reasons, yet held together by a love that transcended physical atraction and egos. The middle however started to sag, and for a few chapters I considered abandoning the book. It wasn't until we got close to the end, when the narrative tightened again, that I got sucked back in. I can't help but wonder if the looming wordcount limit forced the author and editors to focus and condense. As a result, the story still had blind spots that I believe could have been filled in without compromising the core theme. Jenry for example could have been explored more, and maybe I'd have been able to overcome my revulsion for him. Because honestly, his cruelty in addressing his immediate and extended family when he finds out he wasn't told the whole truth, the ease with which he starts dropping classes and derailing his studies is just screaming of entitlement and spoilt behaviour. This young man got doted on and his family probably created a monster. I can tell you I know lots of people who found out horrible secrets in their families which involved abuse of vulnerable individuals (something that Jenry did NOT experience), and those people carried on with their studies and responsabilities without throwing a childish tantrum. Jenry has a stipend he's willing to just throw away because he's hurt he didn't know he had a second mother and a more complex and complicated family--which clearly loved him. And it's not even because he was forced into a career he didn't want. No, the fact that he's 18 years old does not justify his childness.
Overall the story was beatifully written however and explored issues of addiction with empathy while offering great insight. it's not just about being sober, but about emotional sobriety--not just putting the past away but coming face-to-face with the pain of it, that's how you can release it. At times the poetry went into the realm of absurdity
Spoiler
(Like when Jasper dies on the lake while dancing and he's just swallowed by the ice; it doesn't matter how delirious you are, drowning is a horrible experience because the instinct to breathe and fight for the next breath is wired in our brain stem--it can't be controlled, and it's not pretty even when the person wishes to stop breathing. His poetic quiet drawning was absurd and almost made me abandon the book)3.5 stars rounded up for emotional complexity. I would read more from the author in the future, but would aprreciate more concise editing.