Mothers are precious. This Mother’s Day, You! delves into the intricate dynamics of the mother-child relationship by presenting a curated list of literary works that portray strong mother characters. Within the pages of these selected books, readers are invited to explore a rich tapestry of maternal strength, resilience, and love. These narratives not only showcase the immense sacrifices and challenges mothers often navigate but also highlight their profound impact in shaping the lives of their children. Read on...
The novel consists of motherhood as a central and guiding force that shapes the lives of the March sisters and influences their growth, values, and relationships. The character of Marmee, their mother, embodies qualities of compassion, strength, wisdom, and selflessness, serving as a nurturing and supportive figure throughout the novel. Marmee’s role as a mother is characterised by her unconditional love and devotion to her daughters. She provides emotional guidance, instils moral values, and encourages independence and self-improvement in each of her girls. Published in 1868, the book has been a classic and still proves to be timeless and ever-green. The book portrays the pivotal role of mothers in shaping values, fostering resilience, and nurturing strong family bonds. The novel celebrates the enduring influence of maternal love and guidance, emphasising the importance of empathy, kindness, and moral integrity in navigating life’s complexities.
The book revolves around intricacies of motherhood, relationships, and the challenges of balancing personal identity with familial responsibilities. The story centres on the protagonist, who is a new mother experiencing the joys and struggles of early parenthood. The book grapples with feelings of isolation, exhaustion, and self-doubt common to many new mothers. Describing the emotional journey of motherhood, exploring themes such as maternal love, postpartum struggles, and the complexities of adjusting to a new role while maintaining a sense of self.
Against the backdrop of the nursery, a space symbolising both nurturing and confinement, the protagonist confronts her own desires, fears, and aspirations outside of motherhood. She wrestles with questions of identity, purpose, and the impact of societal expectations on women’s lives after childbirth. Molnar’s narrative invites readers to empathise with the protagonist's journey, offering insights into the complexities of modern motherhood and the quest for balance, fulfilment, and self-discovery amidst the demands of raising a child.
‘My Sister’s Keeper’ is a cult classic. It is hauntingly honest, complex and truly sad. It is written from the daughter’s perspective who sues her mother for emancipation. It explores the dynamic of sacrifice and manoeuvring in a family that has been rocked by the chronic illness of a child. Sara Fitzgerald is torn between keeping her marriage and child alive, she loves her children, all of them but she focuses too much on the one with cancer that leads to Anna, her daughter, suing her in court. A story of great sadness, the ultimate sacrifice and stressful suspense. This book questions the thin line between right and wrong, it is about a mother’s bond with her children and finally the answer behind the truth and reality.
Our narrator is a gifted photographer, an uncertain wife, an infertile mother, a biracial woman in an unravelling America. As she grapples with a lifetime of ambivalence about motherhood, yet another act of police brutality makes her question whether she wants to bring a Black body into the world. Throwing herself into a new documentary on motherhood she learns she is, impossibly, pregnant. As the future shifts once again, she must decide what she dares hope for the shape of her future to be. The novel also deals with more weighty themes such as grief, police brutality, and physical affection versus love. The central theme of the novel is parenthood, as the narrator and her husband consider having a child of their own while living in the shadow of crimes committed by law enforcement against Black bodies. Harrowingly haunting, it is painful and makes you question the realities between what we know and what we experience.
‘Look How Happy I’m Making You’ is not just a collection of stories about motherhood; it’s a nuanced exploration of the complexities of female identity, relationships, and the universal quest for happiness and fulfilment. Rosenwaike’s prose is compelling, engaging and thought-provoking; the stories are crafted with sensitivity and nuance, offering readers glimpses into the intimate and sometimes challenging moments that shape women’s lives. Each story in the collection captures different facets of the complex emotions tied to pregnancy, childbirth, motherhood, and the expectations placed on women in these roles. Rosenwaike delves into themes such as fertility struggles, ambivalence towards motherhood, postpartum experiences, and the intricacies of relationships within and beyond the family unit. It is complicated and complex and honest and so inclusive.
Scout and Jem Finch are motherless because their mother died suddenly from a heart attack when Scout was two and Jem was six. The children are raised by their single father, Atticus Finch, and have three mother figures: their maid Calpurnia, their neighbour Miss Maudie, and their Aunt Alexandra, providing maternal guidance, discipline, and love, lessons about empathy, fairness, and standing up for what is right and wrong. The book portrays motherhood in a multifaceted, unconventional, encompassing not only biological ties but also nurturing, guidance, and moral upbringing provided by parental figures and community influences. Atticus’s role as a single parent also highlights the challenges of motherhood and fatherhood in a society where gender roles are rigidly defined. He juggles the responsibilities of parenting, legal work, and community involvement with grace and wisdom, earning the respect and admiration of his children and neighbours alike. The book presents sadness and hope and outrage and compassion, it offers rays of hope and optimism amidst a flawed society.
‘Before We Were Yours’ offers a poignant portrayal of sibling bonds and a mother’s determination to protect her children against adversity. Wingate skilfully weaves together themes of family, resilience, and the enduring impact of childhood trauma, making the book a compelling and emotionally resonant read. It is based on one of America’s most notorious real-life scandal. Rill’s fierce determination to protect her family mirrors the sacrificial love of a mother figure, showcasing the unbreakable bond between siblings and their caretaker. The book explores the lasting impact of maternal loss, resilience in the face of trauma, and the enduring legacy of love passed down through generations. Wingate’s narrative skillfully captures the complexities of motherhood, illustrating how maternal bonds shape identities, drive characters’ actions, and resonate across time.
This is a thought-provoking exploration of the decision to become a mother. Heti delves into the complexities of this choice, grappling with societal expectations and the true meaning of motherhood. The protagonist engages in candid and philosophical internal dialogues, questioning her desires, fears, and doubts about becoming a mother. She navigates conversations with friends, family members, and her partner, exploring different perspectives on motherhood and the impact it can have on a woman’s identity, creativity, and fulfilment. Heti’s writing is intimate, raw, and deeply introspective, capturing the nuances of modern womanhood and the complexities of navigating personal desires against societal norms. ‘Motherhood’ is not just a story about deciding whether to have children but also a profound exploration of self-discovery, autonomy, and the multifaceted nature of female experiences in the modern world.
The book delves deeply into the theme of motherhood, exploring its complexities, sacrifices, and profound impact on relationships. The novel follows the intertwined lives of several characters, each grappling with the consequences of a life-altering decision. Phoebe, is born with Down Syndrome. Overwhelmed by societal stigma and his own fears, the father makes the split-second decision to send Phoebe to a nearby institution while telling his wife, Norah, that the baby died. The writer portrays the guilt, secrets, and emotional turmoil stemming from the father, David’s decision. It explores how motherhood is not just about biological ties but also about love, nurturing, and the bonds formed through care-giving. Norah’s journey reflects the pain of maternal loss and the longing for connection, while Caroline, the care-taker for Phoebe embodies the selfless love and dedication of a surrogate mother. Kim Edwards’ novel sensitively portrays characters navigating the intricacies of love, loss, and redemption in the context of family and identity.
This is not a book in a conventional form, it is a book compiled of poetry. A book of poems, it is stunningly beautiful, disturbingly brilliant and simple. It is easy to get lost in short haiku-s and other types of poems. Shire narrates her mother’s words spoken to her in hushed tones as lessons. They are a compilation of a daughter’s journey with the help of her mother in this cruel world. Her writing portrays the troubled awareness of wives, daughters, immigrant women, and occasionally, the innocent bystander. Many of the poems talk about love, but a painful love, they talk about deception and unfaithfulness and trauma. Warsan has a playful tongue on matters that would otherwise reflect a grieving, bitter soul. She has a way of bringing simplicity to hard conversations on womanhood and immigration. The book is full of fire, passion, and war.
