I’m excited to announce that I am now on Substack, writing about Bad Mothers. Those of you who keep up with my book blogging know that this is the topic I cover most: mothers who don’t want to be mothers, childless women who buck the norm, mothers who smother, mothers who don’t, mothers who workContinue reading “Bad Mothers: Now on Substack”
Tag Archives: motherhood
Nightbitch
By Rachel Yoder, 2021 Nightbitch is a married woman and mother to a toddler. Her husband works out of town and is gone most of the week, and she gave up her work in the arts to be home with her son. The novel is told in the third person, almost like folklore: a motherContinue reading “Nightbitch”
These Precious Days
Ann Patchett, 2021 I’m a bit obsessed with Ann Patchett. I’ve read nearly all of her novels and her two essay collections, and studied The Patron Saint of Liars for my doctoral thesis. Patchett does not have any children and has not hidden the fact that she’s never wanted children, however I haven’t seen anyContinue reading “These Precious Days”
The Whispers
Ashley Audrian, 2023 I am a big fan of Audrain’s first novel, The Push, so I was eager to read this one and pleased that it has what I now consider to be Audrain’s signature twist on writing motherhood: the flawed mother. In The Push, the narrator had trouble connecting with her first child, andContinue reading “The Whispers”
Demon Copperhead
Barbara Kingsolver, 2022 I’ve been telling everyone to read this book. It is easily in the top five books I’ve ever read, and that rating is based almost entirely on the remarkable voice. The narrator is Damon, aka Demon Copperhead, who lives in Lee County, southern Appalachia. He is poor and desperate a lot ofContinue reading “Demon Copperhead”
Women Without Kids
Ruby Warrington, 2023 I wish this book wasn’t about a “revolution,” but it is. Sixty years after The Feminine Mystique (as one example) revealed that — GASP — not every woman in the world wants to be a mother, we are still trying to believe it. There are headlines around the world about declining birthContinue reading “Women Without Kids”
I Am Dojo’s Mom
Last year, my sister got me a luggage tag — which I keep on my goes-everywhere-with-me-backpack — that says “Dojo’s Mom” rather than my name. It has an adorable picture of my dog: He’s stretched out in his favorite spot in the kitchen, all brooding eyes, fluffy face, the golden and white fur of hisContinue reading “I Am Dojo’s Mom”
The Book of Mother
Violaine Huisman, 2018 I have to admit first and foremost that this novel hit extremely close to home, and may shadow my review. It is beautifully written with complex characterization and an engaging plot — I can understand why it was nominated for the International Booker. But I found the characters very frustrating. The bookContinue reading “The Book of Mother”
Run
Ann Patchett, 2007 Run is Ann Patchett’s fifth novel, published after the success of Bel Canto. It’s the story of several families linked in ways they don’t know, that come together one night in Boston after attending a talk by Jesse Jackson. Tip and Teddy are brothers, born to Tennessee and adopted by Doyle andContinue reading “Run”
February Round-Up
The Amateur Marriage, Anne Tyler, 2004I Feel Bad About My Neck, Nora Ephron, 2006Beside the Sea, Veronique Olmi, 2001 (tr. Adriana Hunter) I’m slowly making my way through Anne Tyler’s backlist, hoping I can make it last the rest of my life because each one of her books is such a joy to read. ThisContinue reading “February Round-Up”
Monica Cardenas 