For some reason, I have long been drawn to novels with central motherhood themes, long before I became a mama myself. With a stretch of summer weeks still remaining, perhaps you’re on the lookout for one last book to devour before fall. These five fiction works all made a very strong impression on me for one reason or another—their captivating characters drawing me in from the very first page to the final period.
Fair warning: We Need to Talk about Kevin and ROOM are a little intense and disturbing. I kind of love intense and disturbing, especially when it’s done as brilliantly as so in these stories. But, alas, you’ve been warned. Now brace yourself for some seriously five-star suggestions!!!
What Alice Forgot—What if you woke up, and had lost 10 years of your life’s memories? I recently inhaled this book in a few short days. Alice wakes up from a fall at the gym thinking she’s 29, happily married and pregnant with her first child in 1998—when she’s actually 39, divorcing, with three grown children in 2008. This book made me pause to think about the decisions we make, the relationships we nurture, and the young human beings we’re raising. The woven-in story of Alice’s sister, battling infertility, is also quite compelling. I highly recommend this addictive read. Liane Moriarty is one incredible, entertaining storyteller, with an eloquent style and quick wit. I also loved The Husband’s Secret and just bought Big Little Lies, her newest!
We Need to Talk About Kevin—My old co-worker Suramya and I used to share reading recs. Her taste was killer (in this case, literally). When talking about Kevin, she said, “He got in my head. I can’t stop thinking about that book.” I couldn’t describe it any better. This is absolutely one of the most fascinating, unsettling novels I’ve ever read. Written from a conflicted and imperfect mom’s point of view, telling the story of her school-murderer teen son (think Columbine), it will leave you breathless, tripped out, and pondering the boundaries—if any—of a mother’s devotion, as well as the timeless nature vs. nurture debate. Not exactly a light beach read, but I still tore through the pages on the shores of Hawaii. It felt well-researched and psychologically visceral.
ROOM—Oh. My. WORD. This might beat Kevin in total mind-bending madness. Such a genius work of literature. ROOM is written from the perspective of a five-year-old boy who has thus been raised in a tiny room. His young mom, kidnapped at 19 by their loathsome captor, has created a fascinating, stimulating world for her son with all the bare means she has. I was left thinking about child development, motherly love, and sensational crimes as entertainment news.
White Oleander—This book will have a place in my heart, always. Janet Fitch, the author, was one of my writing professors in graduate school. High on my short list of change-your-life teachers, Janet taught me more about fiction writing than I ever dreamed I could learn. Her poetic, entrancing talent comes alive on these pages—chronicling the journey of young Astrid through various foster homes, each a vibrant universe of memorable characters and coming-of-age lessons. Astrid’s relationship with her jailed, self-centered, poet mother, Ingrid, is also central to the story.
The Memory Keeper’s Daughter—This is an oldie, but a goodie. I’ve read it twice. It’s the story of Dr. David Henry, who delivers his wife’s first child with the help of a nurse, Caroline. When the pregnancy turns out to be twins, one healthy boy and one girl with Down’s syndrome, in an emotional moment, Dr. Henry orders Caroline to take the baby girl away to an institution—unbeknownst to his wife. The story runs wild, intriguing and passionate from there. So many twists, turns and emotions weave through these well-written pages.
Have you read any of these?! What did you think?! Have you read anything awesome this summer?! Please share!
