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The Mothers
304 pages, 2017
fiction
1382 booksSet within a contemporary black community in Southern California, Brit Bennett's mesmerizing first novel is an emotionally perceptive story about community, love, and ambition. It begins with a secret. It is the last season of high school life for Nadia Turner, a rebellious, grief-stricken, seventeen-year-old beauty.
Mourning her mother's recent suicide, she takes up with the local pastor's son. Luke Sheppard is twenty-one, a former football star whose injury has reduced him to waiting tables at a diner. They are young; it's not serious.
But the pregnancy that results from this teen romance—and the subsequent cover-up—will have an impact that goes far beyond their youth. As Nadia hides her secret from everyone, including Aubrey, her God-fearing best friend, the years move quickly.
Soon, Nadia, Luke, and Aubrey are full-fledged adults and still living in debt to the choices they made that one seaside summer, caught in a love triangle they must carefully maneuver, and dogged by the constant, nagging question: What if they had chosen differently?
The possibilities of the road not taken are a relentless haunt. In entrancing, lyrical prose, The Mothers asks whether a what-if can be more powerful than an experience itself. If, as time passes, we must always live in servitude to the decisions of our younger selves, to the communities that have parented us, and to the decisions we make that shape our lives forever.
In The Mothers, Brit Bennett explores the impact of our choices on our lives. She shows how decisions, big or small, can shape our future and the lives of those around us. It's a great reminder to think carefully before making any major decisions.
The book highlights the role of community in shaping our lives. It shows how the opinions and judgments of others can influence our actions and decisions. It's a good reason to surround yourself with positive influences and supportive people.
Bennett digs into the intricacies of relationships, both romantic and platonic. She shows how they can be both a source of joy and pain. It's a great book to read if you want to understand the complexities of human relationships better.
The Mothers is a deep exploration of how people deal with loss and grief. It shows that everyone has their own way of coping and that it's okay to not be okay. If you're dealing with loss, this book might provide some comfort.
Brit Bennett's book also explores the struggle of finding one's identity, especially as a young adult. It's a great read for anyone who's trying to figure out who they are and where they fit in the world.
Quotes 3
The Mothers is a beautifully written, sad and lingering book – an impressive debut for such a young writer.
Roxane Gay - Feminist Writer, ProfessorBennett's evocative writing is the book's strength; she's very good at making you feel you know these people.
Angela Flournoy - Novelist, EducatorThe Mothers is a thought-provoking novel that will make you think about love, hope, and regret in a whole new way.
Emma Straub - Bestselling Author
