A review by jasonmango
You Be Mother: The debut novel from the author of Sorrow and Bliss by Meg Mason

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.