Three Mothers

by Sonia Lambert

A lyrical debut that explores the complexities of mother-daughter relationships and long-buried secrets from post-war Europe to modern-day London.

At twenty-five, Susie is all grown up, working a job that pays the bills and living with her long-term boyfriend in their own apartment-better yet, she's hours away from her childhood home. But her mother's sudden cancer diagnosis forces Susie to reconcile a daughter's memories of her mother with the reality of a woman approaching death. Determined to understand the unexplained silences between her mother and grandmother before it's too late, Susie confronts the secrets that have become embedded in her family's past. Between stories of betrayals and births emerges an engaging narrative that explores women's disparate roles of mother, lover, and independent spirit; and what happens to the generations of women who are all three.

Genres: Fiction

338 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

Reviews

[Mattia B · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ho iniziato questo libro piena di aspettative ma purtroppo è stata una totale delusione. Ho fatto una fatica immensa a cercare di immedesimarmi nei personaggi, tutte e tre le protagoniste mi sono apparse fredde, nel raccontare le loro esperienze. Anche cercare di districarmi tra i vari personaggi non è stato semplice, l'autrice passava da una all'altra senza un apparente filo logico.
La protagonista principale sembra essere Susie, figlia di Vera e nipote di Helena, che ha raccolto delle registrazioni su alcuni momenti salienti della vita della mamma e della nonna. Ci ritroviamo quindi ad ascoltare le tre voci narranti mentre raccontano il loro passato e i momenti della vita che le hanno trasformato come donne.
La trama è interessante ma come dicevo sopra non sono riuscita a entrare nella storia ne ad affezionarmi alle loro storie nonostante in alcune scene mi sia commossa e sentita particolarmente vicina alla protagonista di turno.
Sinceramente non consiglio la lettura di questo libro, leggerlo è stato difficile e spesso noioso.


M. B.

[Kelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

I quite enjoyed this book but found it could have been longer as it seemed to only scratch the surface of each character.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

There were so many moments during the reading of this book that I was amazed how someone could put into words the exact emotions I have had, as a mother, spouse and daughter. The feelings and insights rang true in so many different ways: the disppointments, fears, overwhelming love, heartache....and I will say without a doubt that the way the author (as Vera) described the first year of her daughter Susie's life was "spot on". The exhaustion, joy, fear, dread, love...all of it rang so true.

At the same time, this book wasn't as emotional as I thought it would be, probably because the author thankfully started the book with Vera's death already having occurred. Putting it at the beginning, before we had come to know Vera and Helene and Susie really helped manage what could have been an emotionally draining book. All the same, even with my Mom being in great health, the understanding that someday she won't be there, and the knowledge of how much I will miss her, was brought home to me almost like it was the first time.

The only "flaw" I found in the book was the differing accounts of Vera's burial. First she was in a coffin, then they scattered her ashes. Maybe they do both in England? And while I thought the "love" story between Helene and Bobby was sweet, I kept thinking, "Dang, she's married!"

But on many levels, a really lovely book.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book. The writing was haunting. I think I partly enjoyed it because, standing on the brink of becoming a mother myself, the complex emotional journey of the mothers and daughters in this book struck a very deep chord. Lambert explores what it means to be a family, and the answer is far from straightforward. There's hope here though in the suggestion that family, no matter what form it takes, still means something and still has healing power.

[Kathy Whipple · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good but not great study of mother-daughter relationships and how they are shaped by choices each makes. I was a little frustrated that each generation repeated the mistakes of the former. Can't we sometimes learn from the past?

[Susie Turner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Certainly not an action or suspense story, this book is interesting & tells a good story. It switches between the point of view of a daughter, mother & grandmother and tells their life stories. I enjoyed it, the historical aspects were very interesting.

[Paula · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't really enjoy this story and am not sure why. The writing was good and the storyline as well. The story jumps between characters and it took me longer than usual to figure out who was who. I didn't really connect to any character and felt no desire to find out what happened next.

[Sbugsy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was hard to read because it took place in England, but I recommend this book to all daughters. It talked about the dynamics of the daughter and mother relationship.

[Meaghan Carmody · Rating 2 out of 5]

Slow moving, didn't really get into the book until the last third.

[Iris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved hearing the family dynamics and hearing the stories of these three women becoming mothers. It's a heartwarming story of life, death and remembrance.

[Cherie]

This is a great story about several generations in a family...their pasts...their loves and their complicated relationships.

[Judith Yeabsley · Rating 3 out of 5]

A reasonable read but frustrating as it flicked backwards and forwards between the stories of 3 women. As I pick up and put down constantly I found it hard to keep track of which was which.

[Wendopolis · Rating 2 out of 5]

Somewhat interesting, but mostly boring. It definitely wasn't something I couldn't put down.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was good but pretty sad and a bit long.

[Pat]

Emotional journey of three generations. Quite hard to follow until you get used to the relationships of the different characters. Well written.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sonia Lambert writes beautiful prose. An authentic account of parenting, relationships and loss.

[Abc · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dico subito che la lettura mi ha annoiata. L'unica storia che mi ha emozionata è quella di Susie. L'ho trovata molto straziante e piena di sentimento. Le altre due non mi hanno detto molto, forse perché non ho trovato spunti di immedesimazione.