A review by abbie_
The Other Mother by Rachel M. Harper

emotional reflective sad slow-paced

3.25

It took me a little while to warm up to this book, it’s definitely a slower paced book which takes its time exploring complex family dynamics. I always really like it when we get to see the same event from different people’s perspectives, so I was glad that after Jenry’s section we cycled through other characters because honestly, even though he’s probably the central focus, he was not my favourite at all.

It manages to avoid becoming repetitive, as although some points do intersect, it’s not exactly the same sequence of events hashed out from someone else’s POV. It’s layered and delicate, like a web which is often further convoluted by the fact that these characters and families do enjoy keeping a secret or two 👀

The Other Mother discusses themes of motherhood - what makes a mother? Blood? Nurture? - alcoholism, homophobia and ambition. Although the parts addressing Marisa’s parents, who refuse to accept their daughter’s lesbianism, were heavy, I also felt somewhat detached from it. Like it didn’t quite manage the emotional impact it had intended for me.

Overall a decent read, but lacking a little something and sometimes too slow paced.