Book Review: Mothers & Daughters by Rae Meadows

by Jillian @ http://blueshelled.com . March 27, 2011 . 2:35PM

Normally, after reading a book, I allow myself a week or so to process what I’ve read before I write a review.  However, every now and then, I’ve read a book that has consumed me in a way that I feel that I must, MUST, write about it and let others know that it affected me and that if they are looking for something to read they should consider finding this book the minute it comes out and allowing it to consume them, as well.  Mothers and Daughters by Rae Meadows is one such book.

In Mothers and Daughters, 3 generations of women are examined in a work of fiction to see how the secrets we keep impact our relationships upon one another. Patterns of behavior are found and the stories that we never tell are told to the reader in a way that makes us long to tell the characters what they have missed about their loved ones. The story begins with Samantha, a great-granddaughter who is struggling with the separation anxiety a new mother faces when she has to let go of her child for the first time. The story flashes to her great-grandmother Violet’s childhood and then back to Violet’s daughter (Sam’s mother), Iris during her last month’s of life. Each of the stories takes place during a vulnerable place in the life of the woman and it is compelling to read their thoughts.

Usually, I tend to relate to the woman in the story that has the most contemporary story, however, Violet’s story, by far, had the siren song in this novel. A woman that Sam saw as withdrawn and plain, Iris saw as non-emotional and unable to express herself, had an incredible story that I couldn’t wait to read. There were times I found Sam’s story very hard to read and relate to her as I wanted her to have better judgment and rely less upon her child. Iris’ story was bittersweet.

Overall, this story was difficult to get into, as stories with multiple main characters usually are, but once in I found myself swept away into their world. It was almost too short for me and I rarely feel that way about a book. I wanted to know more about their stories and feel more with them. It was a beautiful telling of the way our pasts and our futures intertwine.

*Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book in order to review it. Thanks for allowing me to read this book and share my thoughts on it with others!