Reviews with content warning for Child abuse - Die Mütter

I thought this was a well paced book that hit some really hard topics.

In parts I felt for all the characters even if they were flawed and rubbish.

Hard to read in parts.

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elissaoj's review against another edition

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challenging hopeful inspiring medium-paced

4.75

Engrossing and thoughtful and heartbreaking. Wouldn’t have wanted to read sooner than now, the mother part would have been too hard. Made me reflect and think. Didn’t love the end, felt hurried and too unfinished. Can see Roxane Gay’s critique of the collective voice as forced, felt it in part but not all of the book

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anh_off's review against another edition

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emotional reflective sad medium-paced

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

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hmih's review against another edition

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emotional reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

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sarahrob's review against another edition

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emotional reflective tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

It took me a few sittings to get into Mothers, but once I did I was caught. The narration style was a bit frustrating in the opening chapters, I found it difficult to follow timeline and characters, however, grew to appreciate this voice as the book progressed.

This book is a thoughtful reflection on motherhood and mothering. Readers ache for the women in this story; Aubrey and her longing to become a mother and for Nadia and her decision to not. We see each character “mother” in her own way, from Mo protecting Aubrey, to Nadia eventually caring for her father. I found this to be a beautiful representation of mother as a verb and not simply a noun. That mothers hold families and communities alike together by both protecting them, and loving them.

The relationship these two women form is as tragic and it is beautiful. I loved the friendship while knowing that it would be torn apart.

We are hurt along with Aubrey when Luke and Nadia betray her, but also completely understand their need to explore the way they are interconnected.

As an agnostic, I sometimes found I had a hard time understanding the weight of some characters actions, but tried to understand them within the community of the Upper Room and their deep faith. But, in the same vein I really enjoyed reading a book that demonstrated a church community. As this is not a space I occupy, I found it enjoyable to peek inside and see the way they support each other, but also the insidious nature of secrets and gossip, and how The Mothers bring down the one thing they love most, Upper Room, because of this.

Overall I found this story to be thoughtful and engaging. It has me contemplating motherhood, relationships and race all at the same time.

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lwl000's review against another edition

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challenging emotional sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

As a big fan of The Vanishing Half, I expected great things from this one too. I love Bennett’s writing and the beautiful, poetic statements she sprinkles through this novel. Unfortunately, for me, the storyline and the characters just fell flat. I found the characters stale and without much depth; most of all (and this is odd since I usually love some moody/sad characters) they were just all so dang wan and depressing. I didn’t see any character development or growth here, and I felt we ended up right where we started: with judgement from others and guilt/regret around certain life decisions.

I found the treatment of the themes of abortion and sex/infidelity, through the lens of righteousness/piety of a church community, to also be tiresome and unoriginal.

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nokchimbird's review against another edition

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reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

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