thetearex's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-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
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Emotional abuse, Death of parent, Car accident, Chronic illness, Death, Grief, Abortion, Abandonment, Adult/minor relationship, Vomit, Sexual content, Suicide, Cursing, Eating disorder, Mental illness, Suicide attempt, and Toxic relationship
esther_talbdt's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.5
After Sorrow and Bliss I had high expectations that this did not meet. But I still enjoyed the read. The writing is simple yet effective, and the story evolves at a nice pace. It was not earth shattering, but I enjoyed learning about the characters and seeing them evolve.
rintalake's review
emotional
funny
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
A perfect book about imperfect people.
jasonmango's review against another edition
2.0
Was hopeful for this book as Sorrow and Bliss is one of my favourite books, but was fairy quickly disappointed. I didn’t ‘buy’ the dialogue and I couldn’t follow Abi’s decision making and found it too frustrating, actually most of the characters’ decision-making. It wasn’t very funny and the jokes felt trite and predictable. The whole plot arc with Brigitta and this dramatic scandal felt over dramatic, the character Polly was horrible to Abi and never really faced consequences and seems weird the sisters weren’t interested. Also ended on a bit of a bummer with the two deaths, and the Freddie character who didn’t even turn up on time to his mother’s funeral ?? I think a nicer ending would’ve involved Roger. Also we never saw Stu’s mother updated and if she was still awful or not. Found the writing tended towards the over dramatic, e.g. Phil’s night terrors, Brigitta’s scandal, Freddie’s sleeping with Abi, Abi’s hospital experience. Also the woman who minded Jude for her and helped her clear her mothers house, like was she ever rewarded? That felt so under- explored. I liked the idea of the inter generational friendship and wish this had been more successful. When the Woolnoughs were all horrible to Abi it did remind me a bit of The Inspector Calls.
michrego's review
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
chaiteaolg's review against another edition
5.0
u can’t give me a beautiful mother daughter relationship and then TAKE IT AWAY FROM ME
mannah's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
rebeccagl0ver's review against another edition
emotional
funny
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Much like Sorrow and Bliss, You be Mother is centred around complex characters and toxic family dynamics.
I really enjoyed this book, feeling immersed in each character’s story. Some people have commented they thought Stu was an idiot, Abi childish, Polly annoying etc, but I think that’s kind of the point. I think you’re meant to feel complex emotions, perhaps changing emotions, about these characters. I think you’re meant to not like them some of the time.
You Be Mother loses a mark because I felt towards the end it was slightly predictable and then rushed, like I wanted another few hundred pages or not at all.
I really enjoyed this book, feeling immersed in each character’s story. Some people have commented they thought Stu was an idiot, Abi childish, Polly annoying etc, but I think that’s kind of the point. I think you’re meant to feel complex emotions, perhaps changing emotions, about these characters. I think you’re meant to not like them some of the time.
You Be Mother loses a mark because I felt towards the end it was slightly predictable and then rushed, like I wanted another few hundred pages or not at all.