Reviews

Air Susu Ibu by Nora Ikstena

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monazzz's review against another edition

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emotional informative sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes

4.75

elaizah's review against another edition

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dark emotional

5.0

arina_kirse's review against another edition

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3.0

As a non-native Latvian speaker, I found it quite hard to understand the language used by the author in the book at first. However, the further I read, the more I grew to appreciate its sophistication at times combined with simplicity allowing to feel close to the characters. I think it is a wonderful book to dive deeper into the beautiful Latvian language for non-native speakers.

When it comes to the story itself, I found it hard to relate to the relationships between daughters and mothers stretching over several generations. I honestly think that my personal positive experience prevented me from empathizing with the characters, and this storyline of mother-daughter bond, in the way it was presented, has, unfortunately, overshadowed other pieces of story puzzle for me.

I treat this book as yet another reminder to be grateful for my family, for the times we live in, and for experiencing life in free Latvia.

rodzha's review against another edition

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dark emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

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

4.75

Best latvian book I’ve read by far.

misty_kb's review against another edition

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dark emotional hopeful reflective sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes

3.75

Content Warnings

leeannl's review against another edition

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challenging hopeful reflective sad 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

5.0

rieviolet's review against another edition

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dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced

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

4.0

This is my very first foray into Latvian literature; I didn't know what to expect but I was suprised by how much this novel captivated me and stuck with me.

It takes a moment to orient oneself with the rapid switch of POVs between mother and daughter; but, once you get used to it, you can see how well this stylistic choice supports the narrative and builds on it.

The author depicts the central relationship between mother and daughter in a very striking and heartbreaking way, shining a light on all its complexities and nuances. I also appreciated how Ikstena explored the influence of the historical context (the Soviet rule over Latvia) on the life of individuals.

This is a very bleak story, with strong imagery and symbolism, at times veering a little too far into harrowing and disturbing territory (for example the metaphorical parellel with the story of the daughter's hamster). I think that its shortness works in its favour. The author condenses various elements of reflection (freedom and domination, motherhood and generational trauma, struggles of mental health) in a little over one hundred pages and makes this gloomy and challenging narrative bearable for the reader. Despite everything, the ending still holds a faint glimmer of hope for the future.

Content Warnings