A review by agirlandabook85
The Mother by Maxim Gorky

slow-paced

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

4.5

“The poor people are stupid from poverty, and the rich from greed”

The Mother is described as social realism, interestingly even his chosen pen name Maxim Gorky (real name Alexi Maximovich) means “the bitter one” in Russian and was chosen to reflect his disappointment with life in Russia and determination to speak the bitter truth in front of the entire world. 

As such Gorky’s novel based upon a true event which occurred in 1902 unfolds at a slow pace, it’s simple in structure, neither seeking to be clever nor dabble in the absurd like some of his other contemporaries but it wishes to tell the reader the true story of life in pre revolutionary Russia as he saw it. 

Told from the perspective of Pavel’s mother : Pelageya Vlasova, this was a story about revolution without the politics. It tells of her personal journey from downtrodden abused wife to strong comrade in her own right.  In fact Gorky writes all his female characters with such vibrancy and strength, regardless of background they demand clear respect and undertake the same tasks as their male counterparts, his social feminist beliefs are strongly demonstrated within his work. 

I especially loved how Gorky’s story was seeped with emotion and empathy and provided a fresh perspective to the revolution. Strong recommendation for anyone interested in this period of history.