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The Mother's Group
'All those things no one ever tells you about motherhood. It's like secret mothers' business. Lots of my friends had babies before me, but not one of them ever told me it would be this hard ... It's like a code of silence.'
The Mother's Group tells the story of six very different women who agree to regularly meet soon after the births of their babies.
Set during the first crucial year of their babies' lives, The Mother's Group tracks the women's individual journeys - and the group's collective one - as they navigate birth and motherhood as well as the shifting ground of their relationships with their partners.
Each woman strives in her own way to become the mother she wants to be, and finds herself becoming increasingly reliant on the friendship and support of the members of the mothers' group. Until one day an unthinkably shocking event changes everything, testing their bonds and revealing closely held secrets that threaten to shatter their lives.
The Mothers' Group is an unflinching and compelling portrait of the modern family in all its complexity and intensity: love, sex and marriage and all the joys and tensions of raising children in an increasingly complicated world. Moving, provocative, tender and utterly gripping, The Mothers' Group will draw you in and never let you go.
The Mother's Group tells the story of six very different women who agree to regularly meet soon after the births of their babies.
Set during the first crucial year of their babies' lives, The Mother's Group tracks the women's individual journeys - and the group's collective one - as they navigate birth and motherhood as well as the shifting ground of their relationships with their partners.
Each woman strives in her own way to become the mother she wants to be, and finds herself becoming increasingly reliant on the friendship and support of the members of the mothers' group. Until one day an unthinkably shocking event changes everything, testing their bonds and revealing closely held secrets that threaten to shatter their lives.
The Mothers' Group is an unflinching and compelling portrait of the modern family in all its complexity and intensity: love, sex and marriage and all the joys and tensions of raising children in an increasingly complicated world. Moving, provocative, tender and utterly gripping, The Mothers' Group will draw you in and never let you go.
390 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2009
111 people are currently reading
1184 people want to read
About the author
Fiona Higgins
16 books162 followersFiona Higgins is the author of four novels - An Unusual Boy, Fearless, Wife on the Run and The Mothers’ Group - and a memoir, Love in the Age of Drought. She writes predominantly about contemporary life, with a special interest in intimate relationships, families and the complexities of parenting in the digital age. Her novels have been translated internationally, including in the Netherlands, France, Germany, Spain and Estonia.
Outside of writing, Fiona has tertiary qualifications in the humanities, social sciences and Indonesian Studies, and a longstanding involvement in the Australian not-for-profit sector. Over the past twenty years, she has worked with organisations specializing in philanthropy, international development, youth at risk, rural and regional issues and youth mental health.
She lives in Sydney with her family and enjoys ocean swimming, strong coffee and arguing about Monopoly with her three children.
Outside of writing, Fiona has tertiary qualifications in the humanities, social sciences and Indonesian Studies, and a longstanding involvement in the Australian not-for-profit sector. Over the past twenty years, she has worked with organisations specializing in philanthropy, international development, youth at risk, rural and regional issues and youth mental health.
She lives in Sydney with her family and enjoys ocean swimming, strong coffee and arguing about Monopoly with her three children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 232 reviews
April 20, 2017
This book is for me. Three kids under the age of three, a definite member of a mother’s group albeit from way back when, and a lover of contemporary books. Added to my reading experience was meeting the author last month. She is as relaxed and real as her story is, and as I loved the story and could relate in spades, I think I’m not surprised that Fiona is as down to earth as she was. Thanks to Fiona for signing my book and for a lovely chat about life, family, work and books. A huge thank you to my friend Marianne, whom is otherwise known as ‘The book whisperer’ for grabbing my copy of this book (again).
Ginie (I couldn’t help but mispronounce this name incorrectly in my head each time, to me it rhymes with tiny..!) is out of my demographic, and in this case, I feel the same as I did with Big Little Lies, I would love to live on the northern beaches of Sydney. I have a healthy envy. A group of new mums meet up after the births of their first-borns. Coffee, company, and even a book club. It's not always helpful to compare authors, but I myself see similarities in style and con-temporariness with Fiona Higgins and Liane Moriarty. I really think they are a strong voice in Australian storytelling. I had to laugh when I agreed with the fictional assessment of Eat, Pray, Love and assumed these were that of the author in relation to westerners seeking happiness. Can’t we just be sad at times? 'Made' is the character that is born in Indonesia, and this theme will continue with another book by this author. I look forward to these. I also enjoyed the story line of Made integrating her new Australian life into a friendship group of what she may perceive to be those of privileged Australian women. Privileged in the sense of material wealth perhaps, but are they really happy?
Working mums, botox mums, stressed out mums, gossipy mums, mums that dominate, mums that are reserved, and even mums with pelvic floor issues. I mostly could relate to Miranda who ran around after a toddler who wasn’t hers (married a widow) who seemed just to be able to do it without complaint. She had a story to tell and I knew there was more to it.
As always there is more to it than meets the eye and I loved working this out as I went along. I worked it out, but this is what I love about reading contemporary stories. The story wasn’t hard work, it just was. I can relate. Mother’s groups always have issues boiling under the surface. It is such an angst ridden time. Mine was 15 years ago, and having had a child only four years ago I did not need to do it again.
This book is great. Loved the story, the writing was polished and I didn’t sense any ‘new author’ stuff here. I felt like I was in safe hands and I like that feeling. Recommended reading and in my non-literary way as always, I say read it. It’s good value.
Ginie (I couldn’t help but mispronounce this name incorrectly in my head each time, to me it rhymes with tiny..!) is out of my demographic, and in this case, I feel the same as I did with Big Little Lies, I would love to live on the northern beaches of Sydney. I have a healthy envy. A group of new mums meet up after the births of their first-borns. Coffee, company, and even a book club. It's not always helpful to compare authors, but I myself see similarities in style and con-temporariness with Fiona Higgins and Liane Moriarty. I really think they are a strong voice in Australian storytelling. I had to laugh when I agreed with the fictional assessment of Eat, Pray, Love and assumed these were that of the author in relation to westerners seeking happiness. Can’t we just be sad at times? 'Made' is the character that is born in Indonesia, and this theme will continue with another book by this author. I look forward to these. I also enjoyed the story line of Made integrating her new Australian life into a friendship group of what she may perceive to be those of privileged Australian women. Privileged in the sense of material wealth perhaps, but are they really happy?
Working mums, botox mums, stressed out mums, gossipy mums, mums that dominate, mums that are reserved, and even mums with pelvic floor issues. I mostly could relate to Miranda who ran around after a toddler who wasn’t hers (married a widow) who seemed just to be able to do it without complaint. She had a story to tell and I knew there was more to it.
As always there is more to it than meets the eye and I loved working this out as I went along. I worked it out, but this is what I love about reading contemporary stories. The story wasn’t hard work, it just was. I can relate. Mother’s groups always have issues boiling under the surface. It is such an angst ridden time. Mine was 15 years ago, and having had a child only four years ago I did not need to do it again.
This book is great. Loved the story, the writing was polished and I didn’t sense any ‘new author’ stuff here. I felt like I was in safe hands and I like that feeling. Recommended reading and in my non-literary way as always, I say read it. It’s good value.
May 21, 2017
I'm surprised to learn The Mother's Group was the first novel by Fiona Higgins. It flows very well. Even though we're getting six different perspectives, it's relatively easy to follow because we don't often switch back and forth. She gives you sufficient time to really become immersed in each woman's story and form an attachment before she moves on to the next. It's well done. At times very sweet and touching, at times heartbreaking, always brutally honest.
This story is about six new mothers. In the first year of their child's life, we get to know how they change and adapt and a lot about their relationships with their children, their husbands, and each other. They're all very different women, but they've been brought together by the mother's group they all attend. At first, they're a little judgemental of each other, but real friendships begin to form and they begin to become very supportive of each other. The question is, when something goes terribly wrong, are they strong enough to withstand the unimaginable?
I received a copy of this book from Net Galley and Trafalgar Square Publishing, thank you! My review is honest and unbiased.
This story is about six new mothers. In the first year of their child's life, we get to know how they change and adapt and a lot about their relationships with their children, their husbands, and each other. They're all very different women, but they've been brought together by the mother's group they all attend. At first, they're a little judgemental of each other, but real friendships begin to form and they begin to become very supportive of each other. The question is, when something goes terribly wrong, are they strong enough to withstand the unimaginable?
I received a copy of this book from Net Galley and Trafalgar Square Publishing, thank you! My review is honest and unbiased.
March 27, 2012
Most women attend a Mothers' Group after the birth of their first child, eager to share the trials of childbirth and sleepless nights. It can be odd though to find yourself in a room with strangers whom with you have nothing much in common except an infant the same age. The mother's group I attended after the birth of my first child started with ten members but quickly dropped down to seven. Our group included a stay at home dad, two single mum's and our ages varied between 19 and 33. We lost one member when her baby tragically passed away from SIDS at just 7 weeks old, and another when a mother suffered postnatal psychosis (much more severe than PND). Our core group of five continued meeting for almost three years until circumstances began to change for each of us.
Set in the Northern Beaches suburbs of Sydney, The Mothers' Group by Fiona Higgins, introduces a disparate group of women who, despite their differences in background, lifestyle and circumstances, bond during their regular Mothers' Group meetings.
The novel unfolds in alternating chapters, using the third person point of view, allowing each woman to share their lives. Higgins skillfully develops believable characters to whom the reader can relate. These are mothers you most likely know - the mother who insists on organic food and natural fibers, the mother torn between her career and child rearing - but here Higgins allows us to peer into the privacy of their homes and witness their relationships and hidden desires. Higgins also provides context for her six main characters by allowing us glimpses of their families, the partners and fathers of the children. The emphasis of the novel however is on the burgeoning relationships between the women as their friendships develop from tentative interaction to a solidly supportive network.
While the mothers struggle with the challenges of first time motherhood and the changes it brings, they are unwittingly hurtling towards a shocking tragedy that threatens to shatter their friendships and change them forever. Even though I expected something terrible to happen, when it came I felt I was unprepared. Higgins deals with the aftermath sensitively and realistically with an ending that is hopeful, if not happy.
The Mothers' Group is an impressive fiction debut from Australian author Fiona Higgins. An insightful portrayal of first time parenthood, relationships and friendships this novel makes for compelling reading.
Set in the Northern Beaches suburbs of Sydney, The Mothers' Group by Fiona Higgins, introduces a disparate group of women who, despite their differences in background, lifestyle and circumstances, bond during their regular Mothers' Group meetings.
The novel unfolds in alternating chapters, using the third person point of view, allowing each woman to share their lives. Higgins skillfully develops believable characters to whom the reader can relate. These are mothers you most likely know - the mother who insists on organic food and natural fibers, the mother torn between her career and child rearing - but here Higgins allows us to peer into the privacy of their homes and witness their relationships and hidden desires. Higgins also provides context for her six main characters by allowing us glimpses of their families, the partners and fathers of the children. The emphasis of the novel however is on the burgeoning relationships between the women as their friendships develop from tentative interaction to a solidly supportive network.
While the mothers struggle with the challenges of first time motherhood and the changes it brings, they are unwittingly hurtling towards a shocking tragedy that threatens to shatter their friendships and change them forever. Even though I expected something terrible to happen, when it came I felt I was unprepared. Higgins deals with the aftermath sensitively and realistically with an ending that is hopeful, if not happy.
The Mothers' Group is an impressive fiction debut from Australian author Fiona Higgins. An insightful portrayal of first time parenthood, relationships and friendships this novel makes for compelling reading.
April 3, 2016
The Mothers’ Group is the first novel by Australian author, Fiona Higgins. Six first-time mothers meet in a Mothers’ Group: the events of their first year of motherhood are narrated from six very different perspectives. Ginie is a high-powered lawyer, the family’s bread-winner; Made is the Balinese wife of an Australian engineer; Suzie is a single mum and trained masseuse, Miranda is married to a widower with a toddler, Pippa is a reticent woman with an enthusiasm for natural therapy; and Cara is friendly and empathetic with everyone.
Despite a hesitant start, and their inherent diversity, they begin to socialise, sharing experiences and ideas and supporting one another. They face a variety of obstacles and manage to vault many hurdles, but the unexpected events of their Mother’s Day picnic will be their biggest challenge yet.
Higgins touches on a myriad of topics, some relevant to early motherhood (lack of sleep, lack of partner support, in-law interference, use of nannies, congenital defects, sibling rivalry and peri-natal genital injury), others more general (racial intolerance, inequity of earning power, infidelity, poverty, incontinence and alcoholism).
Higgins gives the reader a realistic plot, characters that are easy to identify with, and dialogue that can be heard in any café or park. The beachside suburbs and their culture are well drawn. The climax and the aftermath are no perfect Hollywood happily-ever-after, but totally believable. This is a brilliant debut novel. 4.5 ★s
Despite a hesitant start, and their inherent diversity, they begin to socialise, sharing experiences and ideas and supporting one another. They face a variety of obstacles and manage to vault many hurdles, but the unexpected events of their Mother’s Day picnic will be their biggest challenge yet.
Higgins touches on a myriad of topics, some relevant to early motherhood (lack of sleep, lack of partner support, in-law interference, use of nannies, congenital defects, sibling rivalry and peri-natal genital injury), others more general (racial intolerance, inequity of earning power, infidelity, poverty, incontinence and alcoholism).
Higgins gives the reader a realistic plot, characters that are easy to identify with, and dialogue that can be heard in any café or park. The beachside suburbs and their culture are well drawn. The climax and the aftermath are no perfect Hollywood happily-ever-after, but totally believable. This is a brilliant debut novel. 4.5 ★s
May 29, 2019
3.5 stars
Here's a couple of things I'd heard about The Mothers Group by Fiona Higgins. "It's a great book." and " Don't read it in public because I cried so much" In fact one of our big tv celebs Carrie Bickmore posted a photo of herself all panda eyes and snot dripping after reading the last chapter of this book. I love a good book cry so it's fair to say I expected to be swept away with the emotions of it. I wasn't. Sure I enjoyed it but it wasn't the reading experience I expected.
Ginnie, Made, Suzie, Cara, Miranda and Pippa have little in common besides the age of their children and the fact they're adjusting to becoming first time mums. They have joined this mothers group for various reasons and they each have their own challenges, many of which are common to mothers across Australia. Each woman had one section of the book dedicated to her and this is where we learnt their individual stories, how they thought and felt about each other, how they were coping with the joys and challenges of motherhood, what their secrets were. This format, and gaining these different perspectives, worked well for me. I wont go into plots for fear of spoilers.
There were big stories and small as well as some life lessons, all delivered in a confident manner. In some ways this book reminded me of Liane Moriarty's work, and for a debut novel this gives me great hope for her furure as an author. If you enjoy womens fiction this one is worth trying. Be warned, unlike me, you may be moved to tears
Here's a couple of things I'd heard about The Mothers Group by Fiona Higgins. "It's a great book." and " Don't read it in public because I cried so much" In fact one of our big tv celebs Carrie Bickmore posted a photo of herself all panda eyes and snot dripping after reading the last chapter of this book. I love a good book cry so it's fair to say I expected to be swept away with the emotions of it. I wasn't. Sure I enjoyed it but it wasn't the reading experience I expected.
Ginnie, Made, Suzie, Cara, Miranda and Pippa have little in common besides the age of their children and the fact they're adjusting to becoming first time mums. They have joined this mothers group for various reasons and they each have their own challenges, many of which are common to mothers across Australia. Each woman had one section of the book dedicated to her and this is where we learnt their individual stories, how they thought and felt about each other, how they were coping with the joys and challenges of motherhood, what their secrets were. This format, and gaining these different perspectives, worked well for me. I wont go into plots for fear of spoilers.
There were big stories and small as well as some life lessons, all delivered in a confident manner. In some ways this book reminded me of Liane Moriarty's work, and for a debut novel this gives me great hope for her furure as an author. If you enjoy womens fiction this one is worth trying. Be warned, unlike me, you may be moved to tears
July 9, 2021
4.5 ★s
The Mothers’ Group is the first novel by Australian author, Fiona Higgins. The audio version is narrated by Anna Hruby. Six first-time mothers meet in a Mothers’ Group: the events of their first year of motherhood are narrated from six very different perspectives. Ginie is a high-powered lawyer, the family’s bread-winner; Made is the Balinese wife of an Australian engineer; Suzie is a single mum and trained masseuse, Miranda is married to a widower with a toddler, Pippa is a reticent woman with an enthusiasm for natural therapy; and Cara is friendly and empathetic with everyone.
Despite a hesitant start, and their inherent diversity, they begin to socialise, sharing experiences and ideas and supporting one another. They face a variety of obstacles and manage to vault many hurdles, but the unexpected events of their Mother’s Day picnic will be their biggest challenge yet.
Higgins touches on a myriad of topics, some relevant to early motherhood (lack of sleep, lack of partner support, in-law interference, use of nannies, congenital defects, sibling rivalry and peri-natal genital injury), others more general (racial intolerance, inequity of earning power, infidelity, poverty, incontinence and alcoholism).
Higgins gives the reader a realistic plot, characters that are easy to identify with, and dialogue that can be heard in any café or park. The beachside suburbs and their culture are well drawn. The climax and the aftermath are no perfect Hollywood happily-ever-after, but totally believable. This is a brilliant debut novel.
The Mothers’ Group is the first novel by Australian author, Fiona Higgins. The audio version is narrated by Anna Hruby. Six first-time mothers meet in a Mothers’ Group: the events of their first year of motherhood are narrated from six very different perspectives. Ginie is a high-powered lawyer, the family’s bread-winner; Made is the Balinese wife of an Australian engineer; Suzie is a single mum and trained masseuse, Miranda is married to a widower with a toddler, Pippa is a reticent woman with an enthusiasm for natural therapy; and Cara is friendly and empathetic with everyone.
Despite a hesitant start, and their inherent diversity, they begin to socialise, sharing experiences and ideas and supporting one another. They face a variety of obstacles and manage to vault many hurdles, but the unexpected events of their Mother’s Day picnic will be their biggest challenge yet.
Higgins touches on a myriad of topics, some relevant to early motherhood (lack of sleep, lack of partner support, in-law interference, use of nannies, congenital defects, sibling rivalry and peri-natal genital injury), others more general (racial intolerance, inequity of earning power, infidelity, poverty, incontinence and alcoholism).
Higgins gives the reader a realistic plot, characters that are easy to identify with, and dialogue that can be heard in any café or park. The beachside suburbs and their culture are well drawn. The climax and the aftermath are no perfect Hollywood happily-ever-after, but totally believable. This is a brilliant debut novel.
March 18, 2018
Het verhaal verliep anders dan verwacht. Het is serieuzer dan gedacht. Toch vind ik het wel een mooi verhaal. Nu ik het boek uit heb, snap ik de titel ook beter. Het verhaal wordt vanuit de verschillende personages verteld. Elke moeder komt een keer aan bod. Op die manier wordt het hele verhaal duidelijk. Ook leer je de verschillende moeders goed kennen en kom je er achter dat er meer speelt dan je zou denken. Een aanrader.
April 26, 2012
You know you’re onto a good thing when you finish a novel and without pausing, flip back to the beginning to start all over again. Such was the case with Fiona Higgins’ The Mothers’ Group.
Through her protagonists Ginie, Made, Suzie, Miranda, Pippa and Cara, Higgins explores questions of friendship, support, marriage, the pressures of parenting in the twenty first century and the meaning of unconditional love – as well as what it means if that love doesn’t come easily or naturally.
The unlikely group forms courtesy of the fact that they live in the same area and gave birth at roughly the same time. Aside from this, the women, due to their differences, may never have given each other a second glance.
The story unfolds through the eyes of the women themselves – one chapter per woman. I’m a big fan of storytelling in this manner – to me it is perhaps the most intimate way of introducing your characters to the reader. Higgins has crafted the novel beautifully. We come to know (but not always to love) each woman. Each tells her own story, and subsequently constructs the next piece in the jigsaw that is the main storyline. Through this, we come to know them warts and all, including their impressions of the other women in the group.
Whilst at first glance the book may seem to be about that first challenging year of motherhood, there’s so much more to it. It’s about the women themselves. As well as setting out on the journey to motherhood, each character has her own set of issues playing out in the background such as challenging in-laws, feeling lost in the modern world, difficult stepchildren, cultural issues, old loves and infidelity – things that most of us would be able to relate to in one respect or another.
And the twist. A twist so out of left field, but so frighteningly possible for any parent, that it left me unable to put the book down – even when it was well past my bedtime.
Being pregnant at the moment myself, I found The Mothers’ Group so refreshingly raw in terms of its honesty. At times, it was downright confronting. The characters are all well drawn – to such an extent that I found myself immediately disliking one whose idea of parenting clashes so gratingly with my own. It hauled me firmly into the so-called mummy wars – a fate I had thus far been determined to avoid. But then, isn’t that a sign of a good writer – if she can make you so utterly judgemental that you detest a character that much?
Overall, Higgins has woven an engrossing tale and one that I would highly recommend not only to mothers, but to anyone who’s interested in friendships, relationships and the deeper, fundamental questions that keep us up at night e.g. who am I, why am I on the journey I inadvertently find myself on and what makes me tick? So yes. Pretty much everyone.
Through her protagonists Ginie, Made, Suzie, Miranda, Pippa and Cara, Higgins explores questions of friendship, support, marriage, the pressures of parenting in the twenty first century and the meaning of unconditional love – as well as what it means if that love doesn’t come easily or naturally.
The unlikely group forms courtesy of the fact that they live in the same area and gave birth at roughly the same time. Aside from this, the women, due to their differences, may never have given each other a second glance.
The story unfolds through the eyes of the women themselves – one chapter per woman. I’m a big fan of storytelling in this manner – to me it is perhaps the most intimate way of introducing your characters to the reader. Higgins has crafted the novel beautifully. We come to know (but not always to love) each woman. Each tells her own story, and subsequently constructs the next piece in the jigsaw that is the main storyline. Through this, we come to know them warts and all, including their impressions of the other women in the group.
Whilst at first glance the book may seem to be about that first challenging year of motherhood, there’s so much more to it. It’s about the women themselves. As well as setting out on the journey to motherhood, each character has her own set of issues playing out in the background such as challenging in-laws, feeling lost in the modern world, difficult stepchildren, cultural issues, old loves and infidelity – things that most of us would be able to relate to in one respect or another.
And the twist. A twist so out of left field, but so frighteningly possible for any parent, that it left me unable to put the book down – even when it was well past my bedtime.
Being pregnant at the moment myself, I found The Mothers’ Group so refreshingly raw in terms of its honesty. At times, it was downright confronting. The characters are all well drawn – to such an extent that I found myself immediately disliking one whose idea of parenting clashes so gratingly with my own. It hauled me firmly into the so-called mummy wars – a fate I had thus far been determined to avoid. But then, isn’t that a sign of a good writer – if she can make you so utterly judgemental that you detest a character that much?
Overall, Higgins has woven an engrossing tale and one that I would highly recommend not only to mothers, but to anyone who’s interested in friendships, relationships and the deeper, fundamental questions that keep us up at night e.g. who am I, why am I on the journey I inadvertently find myself on and what makes me tick? So yes. Pretty much everyone.
March 28, 2013
The plot of THE MOTHERS’ GROUP is centred on a group of women whose local mother and child health centre sets up in order to provide support for each other after the births of their babies. All the women are first time mothers, although one has a step-son, and they all live in and around Sydney’s Northern Beaches. There’s a workaholic and older mum, Ginie; a Balinese bride, Made, who is far from her family; Suzie is a single mum who embraces the alternative lifestyle; Pippa suffers from the after effects of a birth gone wrong along with postnatal depression; Cara, whose marriage is in trouble; and Miranda, who is stepmum to a very demanding toddler. Each of these women has at least one motherly something that I could relate to.
The six characters take it in turn to tell the story and to take the reader back to who they are, how they met the father of their child and their situation now. Some of the mums are coping just fine, others are really struggling as they were not prepared for the reality of having a squalling, often smelly and extremely demanding little human in their lives. I could SO relate! Sleepless nights have to be the most effective way to destroy a person’s grip on sanity. Fiona Higgins is spot on in how she has depicted the range of emotions and problems that a first time mother goes through – and a second time come to think of it as Miranda has the same problems as the other mums, but with an active toddler as well.
Despite all the drama going on THE MOTHERS’ GROUP is no depressing in any way shape or form. From the first meeting the connections are made and the first tentative steps to friendship begin. The story follows the women for a year and then comes the first year celebration picnic outing and all hell breaks loose. Friendships are tested, marriages are tested and each of the women has to find the strength to build a life out of the tatters of that day and the aftermath. THE MOTHERS’ GROUP is a wonderful story that I recommend to all mums and to those who have friends and relations who are mums. I defy you to read this book and not have a better understanding of what a new mum could be going through.
The six characters take it in turn to tell the story and to take the reader back to who they are, how they met the father of their child and their situation now. Some of the mums are coping just fine, others are really struggling as they were not prepared for the reality of having a squalling, often smelly and extremely demanding little human in their lives. I could SO relate! Sleepless nights have to be the most effective way to destroy a person’s grip on sanity. Fiona Higgins is spot on in how she has depicted the range of emotions and problems that a first time mother goes through – and a second time come to think of it as Miranda has the same problems as the other mums, but with an active toddler as well.
Despite all the drama going on THE MOTHERS’ GROUP is no depressing in any way shape or form. From the first meeting the connections are made and the first tentative steps to friendship begin. The story follows the women for a year and then comes the first year celebration picnic outing and all hell breaks loose. Friendships are tested, marriages are tested and each of the women has to find the strength to build a life out of the tatters of that day and the aftermath. THE MOTHERS’ GROUP is a wonderful story that I recommend to all mums and to those who have friends and relations who are mums. I defy you to read this book and not have a better understanding of what a new mum could be going through.
April 15, 2012
*2.5 stars*
The Mothers Group follows the lives of a group of first time mums that are thrown together in a council-run mothers group. After a rocky start, and despite very varied personalities and backgrounds, the unlikely group become firm friends, using each other as a much-needed crutch during the various challenges of first time motherhood.
And then, a cataclysmic event threatens to shatter their friendship into smithereens.
As a very new mum myself, and as a member of a mothers group, I was intrigued by the concept and the five star reviews.
There were some aspects of the novel that I loved. There were passages that I had to read and re-read because Higgins was able to put into words both the agony and the ecstasy of motherhood in a way that my sleep-deprived brain never can.
However, I didn’t particularly like the multiple POVs. This can be difficult to do, and kudos to the author for being able to pull it off. But by the time I was beginning to warm up to a particular character, the POV would change. It left me feeling lukewarm about most of the women.
The book is peppered with a whole range of motherhood issues, like post-natal depression, low libido, incontinence, over-bearing mothers in law, and absent fathers.
But it almost felt a bit contrived – I couldn’t help but think that the author wrote a top 10 list of “mummy issues” and assigned them to her characters indiscriminately.
For readers who liked The Slap, you might enjoy The Mothers Group. There are some definite similarities between the two, such as the multiple POVs and the suburban Australian setting.
However, unlike The Slap, which almost opened with the controversial event that shaped the whole novel, the “event” that drives this book forward doesn’t occur until after the half way mark. I can understand why Higgins did this, but it did mean that the book took a while to pick up steam.
The Mothers Group follows the lives of a group of first time mums that are thrown together in a council-run mothers group. After a rocky start, and despite very varied personalities and backgrounds, the unlikely group become firm friends, using each other as a much-needed crutch during the various challenges of first time motherhood.
And then, a cataclysmic event threatens to shatter their friendship into smithereens.
As a very new mum myself, and as a member of a mothers group, I was intrigued by the concept and the five star reviews.
There were some aspects of the novel that I loved. There were passages that I had to read and re-read because Higgins was able to put into words both the agony and the ecstasy of motherhood in a way that my sleep-deprived brain never can.
However, I didn’t particularly like the multiple POVs. This can be difficult to do, and kudos to the author for being able to pull it off. But by the time I was beginning to warm up to a particular character, the POV would change. It left me feeling lukewarm about most of the women.
The book is peppered with a whole range of motherhood issues, like post-natal depression, low libido, incontinence, over-bearing mothers in law, and absent fathers.
But it almost felt a bit contrived – I couldn’t help but think that the author wrote a top 10 list of “mummy issues” and assigned them to her characters indiscriminately.
For readers who liked The Slap, you might enjoy The Mothers Group. There are some definite similarities between the two, such as the multiple POVs and the suburban Australian setting.
However, unlike The Slap, which almost opened with the controversial event that shaped the whole novel, the “event” that drives this book forward doesn’t occur until after the half way mark. I can understand why Higgins did this, but it did mean that the book took a while to pick up steam.
January 11, 2018
Have you ever had a book that you put off reading for months, and then—once you finally started reading it—wanted to kick yourself for neglecting such a remarkable book? That's how I've been feeling since I opened this book on my tablet the other day. I only meant to peek and see how it started, but I was drawn into the story so quickly, I had to keep reading.
The Mothers' Group tells the story of six Australian women who meet at a support group for new mothers:
*Ginie, the prominent lawyer married to a writer/photographer who—as the primary provider—must leave her daughter's care to a nanny.
*Made (pronounced ma-day), the Balinese emigrant adjusting to being a wife and new mother in a place much different from her homeland.
*Suzie, the single mother struggling to care for her baby on her own.
*Miranda, the woman who seems to have the perfect life, and the only mother in the group who also has both a baby and a toddler (her stepchild) to care for.
*Pippa, the perpetually exhausted, strangely withdrawn woman who shares little of her life.
*Cara, the friendly woman whose kindness has a knack for putting everyone at ease.
Unlikely to have met under ordinary circumstances, in time the women form a strong bond of friendship as they navigate the joys and frustrations of new motherhood, supporting one another in ways their husbands and other friends can't. But a day comes that puts their friendship to the test and they learn just how strong—or fragile—it truly is.
I really, really enjoyed this book. The story is told through the perspective of each woman, with the story broken up into six parts. In them, we see not only what is happening in the present, but also the past of each of them—learning about the events in their lives that led them to becoming pregnant and participating in the mothers' group. Having the story told in this way gives the reader insight into each of the characters. We discover things that they haven't shared with the other women, which often explains why they say—or do—certain things when they gather together. There are a few shocking discoveries along the way that definitely shook up my perceptions of these women and their families. That made the book infinitely more interesting to me, because it enriched them all in ways that added to the story.
If I had to choose a favorite character, it would be Made. There was an air of innocence and vulnerability about her that especially drew me to her character. She had to deal with being a new mom just like the others, but she had other difficulties, as well. She was living far away from her family, in a strange (to her) new country. She had to improve her English, which meant she often had difficulty expressing her thoughts and feelings because she didn't have the (English) words for it. Despite that air of innocence, Made had a great deal of wisdom, and a way of looking at things that proved helpful to her friends in many ways.
Higgins has created a vivid portrait of what new motherhood looks like, and didn't shy away from making it as realistic as possible. Adjusting your life to include a baby isn't easy, and it's refreshing to read a book that confronts that reality, rather than showing the idealized fantasy many women expect while pregnant.
This book is simply beautiful, and I definitely recommend giving it a try!
I received an advance review copy of this book courtesy of Allen & Unwin via Netgalley.
The Mothers' Group tells the story of six Australian women who meet at a support group for new mothers:
*Ginie, the prominent lawyer married to a writer/photographer who—as the primary provider—must leave her daughter's care to a nanny.
*Made (pronounced ma-day), the Balinese emigrant adjusting to being a wife and new mother in a place much different from her homeland.
*Suzie, the single mother struggling to care for her baby on her own.
*Miranda, the woman who seems to have the perfect life, and the only mother in the group who also has both a baby and a toddler (her stepchild) to care for.
*Pippa, the perpetually exhausted, strangely withdrawn woman who shares little of her life.
*Cara, the friendly woman whose kindness has a knack for putting everyone at ease.
Unlikely to have met under ordinary circumstances, in time the women form a strong bond of friendship as they navigate the joys and frustrations of new motherhood, supporting one another in ways their husbands and other friends can't. But a day comes that puts their friendship to the test and they learn just how strong—or fragile—it truly is.
I really, really enjoyed this book. The story is told through the perspective of each woman, with the story broken up into six parts. In them, we see not only what is happening in the present, but also the past of each of them—learning about the events in their lives that led them to becoming pregnant and participating in the mothers' group. Having the story told in this way gives the reader insight into each of the characters. We discover things that they haven't shared with the other women, which often explains why they say—or do—certain things when they gather together. There are a few shocking discoveries along the way that definitely shook up my perceptions of these women and their families. That made the book infinitely more interesting to me, because it enriched them all in ways that added to the story.
If I had to choose a favorite character, it would be Made. There was an air of innocence and vulnerability about her that especially drew me to her character. She had to deal with being a new mom just like the others, but she had other difficulties, as well. She was living far away from her family, in a strange (to her) new country. She had to improve her English, which meant she often had difficulty expressing her thoughts and feelings because she didn't have the (English) words for it. Despite that air of innocence, Made had a great deal of wisdom, and a way of looking at things that proved helpful to her friends in many ways.
Higgins has created a vivid portrait of what new motherhood looks like, and didn't shy away from making it as realistic as possible. Adjusting your life to include a baby isn't easy, and it's refreshing to read a book that confronts that reality, rather than showing the idealized fantasy many women expect while pregnant.
This book is simply beautiful, and I definitely recommend giving it a try!
I received an advance review copy of this book courtesy of Allen & Unwin via Netgalley.
April 5, 2012
I must say to start with I was a little dubious about purchasing this book. With a title like "The Mother's Group" and a quick read of the blurb, I wondered what I would be getting myself into. It did appeal and I was intrigued and willing to give it a chance - somewhere along the line, most of us with newborns have been pushed (whether gently or not) to give a Mother's Group a go (and most are oragnised by a local maternal health and childcare centre).
I can still vividly recall my immense anxiety at having to leave the safe sanction of my home with newborn (colicky one of course too) in tow to meet up with a - "Mother's Group" organised by our local rural health centre nurse. First time mum, that was enough of a new adventure for me without the added stress of meeting "new people" and of course the common ground being "babies!" It can be quite daunting sitting in a room full of newly fashioned mothers, each with their own "ideal" of what the perfect parenting style is, breast versus bottle, self settle versus cry it out, just .. what they think a child should be doing at a particular age, fussing, primping, comparing little Johnny here to little Sarah over there (Johnny is sleeping soundly, Sarah is wailing)... First time, I just wanted to turn and run (too many prams to make a hefty escape!) Over time, numbers dwindle, you do find mother's that you make "that connection" with and despite subsequent siblings being born over the years that follow, you can make some genuine and life long friends, whereby it doesn't matter where life and your family takes you, you pick up with them as though it was just yesterday .. It is nice to know that "someone has got your back!" - they are the unconditional friends that you want!
I really enjoy novels whereby each chapter is dedicated to the thoughts, views and perceptions from a character's point of view and I think this is what makes this novel such an easy and flowing read. Had I formed opinions about certain characters, of course? were these reiterated by other characters in the book, you bet they were. I could quite have easily read it cover to cover in one sitting.
I certainly wasn't prepared for that life changing moment in the women's lives. It was unthinkable, unimaginable and it is definitely something that you just bounce back from. Forever changed, forever moved and it is really either a make or break situation. It was very clear and resonated throughout the story with themes of acceptance and peace within the soul, that Fiona Higgins was profoundly touched by Elizabeth Gilbert's "Eat, Pray Love" another novel I love dearly.
So, give it a read and let me know what you think!
I can still vividly recall my immense anxiety at having to leave the safe sanction of my home with newborn (colicky one of course too) in tow to meet up with a - "Mother's Group" organised by our local rural health centre nurse. First time mum, that was enough of a new adventure for me without the added stress of meeting "new people" and of course the common ground being "babies!" It can be quite daunting sitting in a room full of newly fashioned mothers, each with their own "ideal" of what the perfect parenting style is, breast versus bottle, self settle versus cry it out, just .. what they think a child should be doing at a particular age, fussing, primping, comparing little Johnny here to little Sarah over there (Johnny is sleeping soundly, Sarah is wailing)... First time, I just wanted to turn and run (too many prams to make a hefty escape!) Over time, numbers dwindle, you do find mother's that you make "that connection" with and despite subsequent siblings being born over the years that follow, you can make some genuine and life long friends, whereby it doesn't matter where life and your family takes you, you pick up with them as though it was just yesterday .. It is nice to know that "someone has got your back!" - they are the unconditional friends that you want!
I really enjoy novels whereby each chapter is dedicated to the thoughts, views and perceptions from a character's point of view and I think this is what makes this novel such an easy and flowing read. Had I formed opinions about certain characters, of course? were these reiterated by other characters in the book, you bet they were. I could quite have easily read it cover to cover in one sitting.
I certainly wasn't prepared for that life changing moment in the women's lives. It was unthinkable, unimaginable and it is definitely something that you just bounce back from. Forever changed, forever moved and it is really either a make or break situation. It was very clear and resonated throughout the story with themes of acceptance and peace within the soul, that Fiona Higgins was profoundly touched by Elizabeth Gilbert's "Eat, Pray Love" another novel I love dearly.
So, give it a read and let me know what you think!
June 17, 2012
There are some great reviews of this book on its goodreads.com page, so I will give you a few personal reflections rather than a "review".
Firstly, I should say that I won my copy of this book through a mother's day competition on the Allen & Unwin Facebook page. This in no way influences the comments that follow.
I really enjoyed this book. I wondered though, about the question of "the reader in the book". Do you have to be a mother to enjoy this book? Do you have to have experienced a mothers' group? Does it help if you're female? I'm not sure, for instance, that my hubby would enjoy this book. He has read other "chick lit" type novels I've read and enjoyed them, but this one, I'm not sure.
I could relate to these (mostly) modern women. I know mothers who've experienced some of the issues in the book. Others I've experienced myself. There were funny moments, there were gasp out loud moments. It's difficult to foresee the event that so radically impacts on the group and the far reaching consequences. Other elements seem a little obvious though... and one can't help feeling that the author has tried to throw in possibly every element that one could ever experience in the first year of motherhood.
Having said that, I did enjoy it! I was reflecting recently on my star ratings on goodreads. I decided that four stars is a book I enjoyed and a book I would recommend. This one has already been lent to a friend. I hope she enjoys it. It was a good read for me.
Firstly, I should say that I won my copy of this book through a mother's day competition on the Allen & Unwin Facebook page. This in no way influences the comments that follow.
I really enjoyed this book. I wondered though, about the question of "the reader in the book". Do you have to be a mother to enjoy this book? Do you have to have experienced a mothers' group? Does it help if you're female? I'm not sure, for instance, that my hubby would enjoy this book. He has read other "chick lit" type novels I've read and enjoyed them, but this one, I'm not sure.
I could relate to these (mostly) modern women. I know mothers who've experienced some of the issues in the book. Others I've experienced myself. There were funny moments, there were gasp out loud moments. It's difficult to foresee the event that so radically impacts on the group and the far reaching consequences. Other elements seem a little obvious though... and one can't help feeling that the author has tried to throw in possibly every element that one could ever experience in the first year of motherhood.
Having said that, I did enjoy it! I was reflecting recently on my star ratings on goodreads. I decided that four stars is a book I enjoyed and a book I would recommend. This one has already been lent to a friend. I hope she enjoys it. It was a good read for me.
August 27, 2012
This book follows the lives, and emerging friendship of a group of five women who had been thrown together by a local organisation for no other reason than they are new, first time mothers within their local community.
The book is divided into five chapters. Each chapter throws the spotlight on a particular member of the group; her life leading to motherhood and her point of view.
This was an easy read. It was not as tightly written as I would have liked, and quite predictable in many areas. There were a number of inconsistencies within the text, some of which were distracting, while others affected one's sense of authencity.
The character of Digby, I felt, was too over-the-top. His consistently atrocious behaviour did not seem plausible, justified or believable, though parents may relate to some of his antics.
I think Higgins does a good job of touching on the realities of new motherhood and the many surprise challenges one finds in the early months. Those who have been there will relate to at least one of the characters.
This book is reminiscent of The Slap, though I don't place it in the same league.
The book is divided into five chapters. Each chapter throws the spotlight on a particular member of the group; her life leading to motherhood and her point of view.
This was an easy read. It was not as tightly written as I would have liked, and quite predictable in many areas. There were a number of inconsistencies within the text, some of which were distracting, while others affected one's sense of authencity.
The character of Digby, I felt, was too over-the-top. His consistently atrocious behaviour did not seem plausible, justified or believable, though parents may relate to some of his antics.
I think Higgins does a good job of touching on the realities of new motherhood and the many surprise challenges one finds in the early months. Those who have been there will relate to at least one of the characters.
This book is reminiscent of The Slap, though I don't place it in the same league.
December 9, 2016
Even though it is a mighty long time since I was part of a Mother's Group, this book brought it all back. Was a bit confusing at times with the different Point of Views but at least that helped with the back stories of the characters. I did enjoy this and will read her next one.
February 7, 2019
I was drawn to this book, as a Mum of one who was part of an active mothers group in the early days of becoming a new parent.
Of course, I could relate to some of the struggles being dealt with by the new Mums in "The Mothers Group", and I appreciated the author's honesty and accuracy in laying issues out on the table such as post-natal depression, post-birth physical trauma, relationships, marriage, single parenting etc. These were written about realistically and I truly believed the character's reactions and feelings as they came up at various points throughout the book. I also think the author nailed the dynamic of the mothers group, with a sense of awkardness to begin with, and then allowing the characters to become more closely connected as the book went on (although I felt it almost seemed to jump from one to the other, missing the "middle ground").
But my parting feelings on this book after finishing it are only lukewarm. For starters, while I agree that many people have secrets and even secret lives, and what happens in the homes of new parents often stays there for fear of being judged or ridiculed in the outside world (or even in front of loved ones), I felt that some of the struggles being dealt with by the mothers were far-fetched and seemed more conducive to an episode of "Days of our lives" then a story of a mothers group in Sydney.
As can be gathered from reading the blurb on the back cover, a tragic incident takes place and affects the lives of all of the characters. This event was so horrific, every parent's worst nightmare, and took a lot out of me to get through reading it. The author seems to shove your emotions over a precipice with so much force, demanding your attention as the incident suddenly occurs and turns the whole story on its head.
In one way I want to applaud the author, I felt a strong emotional toll as I made my way through the most terrifying portion of the book, evidence that the event had been delivered well and with raw detail. On the other hand, as a reader I felt like I deserved something in return for having endured through such rocky terrain as I did. I'm not sure what I was after, perhaps feeling a strong connection to one or more of the characters, or being left with an empowering moral imprint, but I sure didn't feel like I'd received my "due". I just didn't quite get what the point was of willingly being led down the dark and terrifying path, only to come out of the other side feeling drained?
I can see this being made in to some kind of TV drama in the near future, with visions of social media hype much like we saw with "The Slap".
Of course, I could relate to some of the struggles being dealt with by the new Mums in "The Mothers Group", and I appreciated the author's honesty and accuracy in laying issues out on the table such as post-natal depression, post-birth physical trauma, relationships, marriage, single parenting etc. These were written about realistically and I truly believed the character's reactions and feelings as they came up at various points throughout the book. I also think the author nailed the dynamic of the mothers group, with a sense of awkardness to begin with, and then allowing the characters to become more closely connected as the book went on (although I felt it almost seemed to jump from one to the other, missing the "middle ground").
But my parting feelings on this book after finishing it are only lukewarm. For starters, while I agree that many people have secrets and even secret lives, and what happens in the homes of new parents often stays there for fear of being judged or ridiculed in the outside world (or even in front of loved ones), I felt that some of the struggles being dealt with by the mothers were far-fetched and seemed more conducive to an episode of "Days of our lives" then a story of a mothers group in Sydney.
As can be gathered from reading the blurb on the back cover, a tragic incident takes place and affects the lives of all of the characters. This event was so horrific, every parent's worst nightmare, and took a lot out of me to get through reading it. The author seems to shove your emotions over a precipice with so much force, demanding your attention as the incident suddenly occurs and turns the whole story on its head.
In one way I want to applaud the author, I felt a strong emotional toll as I made my way through the most terrifying portion of the book, evidence that the event had been delivered well and with raw detail. On the other hand, as a reader I felt like I deserved something in return for having endured through such rocky terrain as I did. I'm not sure what I was after, perhaps feeling a strong connection to one or more of the characters, or being left with an empowering moral imprint, but I sure didn't feel like I'd received my "due". I just didn't quite get what the point was of willingly being led down the dark and terrifying path, only to come out of the other side feeling drained?
I can see this being made in to some kind of TV drama in the near future, with visions of social media hype much like we saw with "The Slap".
June 16, 2012
I wasn't sure what to expect from a book called 'The Mothers' Group' but Australian author Fiona Higgins has done a fabulous job of connecting the reader with a group of 6 very different first time mothers. Nothing can prepare any of us with first time motherhood but Higgins very easily highlights the highs and lows, showing such insightful, thought provoking storylines, i found it hard to bring the book to a close. A completely honest portrayal of motherhood, friendships, marriage and also grief. Loved it.....
April 30, 2012
Nothing can prepare you for motherhood and Australian author Fiona Higgins does a marvellous job of highlighting this realization for the six central characters of 'The Mothers' Group'. This novel is an honest portrayal of life as a modern mother. In her relaxed easy to read style Higgins shines a light on the truth of first time motherhood whilst also compelling her reader with insights into marriage, sex, friendship and ultimately, love. A thought provoking yet thoroughly rewarding read.
April 14, 2012
I quite simply loved this book. Downloaded on the Kindle at 2:00pm and finished that night. It really rattled along. In fact, there are few books that I finish and I think 'mmmm that could have been longer'.
I loved the northern beaches setting. All very familiar.
I loved the northern beaches setting. All very familiar.
February 26, 2013
Look, it hooked me and there are some great characters, including one that is so fun to hate (Bill), BUT too contrived for me.
January 20, 2020
My experience of reading this book went like this (no spoilers):
Start reading at 9:30pm. Not sure if I'll like it, so let's just get in a chapter or so before going to sleep soon.
Halfway through the book at 11:30pm. So relatable, so interesting, love the characterisations, love the different POVs, wish I didn't have to put it down.
Reading more on my lunch break. Again, I wish I didn't have to put it down, and I can tell the "unthinkably shocking event" is coming soon. I think I know what it will be...
Reading four more pages in between appointments. The shocking event happens and I am FLOORED. Not what I expected. Maybe I should've expected it based on my previous experience with this author...
Got the book open on the kitchen bench to keep reading while making dinner. The aftermath is done really well, and by that I mean it wasn't too distressing for me - I'm impressed.
Finishing the book once the kids are in bed, 24 hours since I started. I'm teary and hopeful and loving these characters and only a bit baffled at one of them.
I've read two of Fiona Higgins's books now - the other was Fearless - and I really like the way she combines a mostly character-driven plot with one momentous event where everything changes... and then moves through the tragedy quite beautifully into the way the characters recover and move on. The other thing I really liked is the way she did the different characters' points of view only once for each character - so with six characters, it's basically a book of six chapters. I liked getting immersed in one person's perspective for a longer time - not at all disjointed, instead very satisfying. This was a rewarding reading experience for me.
Start reading at 9:30pm. Not sure if I'll like it, so let's just get in a chapter or so before going to sleep soon.
Halfway through the book at 11:30pm. So relatable, so interesting, love the characterisations, love the different POVs, wish I didn't have to put it down.
Reading more on my lunch break. Again, I wish I didn't have to put it down, and I can tell the "unthinkably shocking event" is coming soon. I think I know what it will be...
Reading four more pages in between appointments. The shocking event happens and I am FLOORED. Not what I expected. Maybe I should've expected it based on my previous experience with this author...
Got the book open on the kitchen bench to keep reading while making dinner. The aftermath is done really well, and by that I mean it wasn't too distressing for me - I'm impressed.
Finishing the book once the kids are in bed, 24 hours since I started. I'm teary and hopeful and loving these characters and only a bit baffled at one of them.
I've read two of Fiona Higgins's books now - the other was Fearless - and I really like the way she combines a mostly character-driven plot with one momentous event where everything changes... and then moves through the tragedy quite beautifully into the way the characters recover and move on. The other thing I really liked is the way she did the different characters' points of view only once for each character - so with six characters, it's basically a book of six chapters. I liked getting immersed in one person's perspective for a longer time - not at all disjointed, instead very satisfying. This was a rewarding reading experience for me.
May 4, 2012
As suggested by the title, The Mothers’ Group revolves around a group of women put together by their local maternal health centre to provide support for each other after the births of their babies. All the women are first time mothers and live in relatively close proximity to each other on Sydney’s Northern Beaches.
The women are all quite different – Ginie is 39, a career woman who earns the big bucks as a venture capital lawyer. She meets, becomes pregnant to and marries the younger Daniel in a whirlwind six months. Ginie finds herself restless at home, keen to return to work both because she wants to and because the money she earns funds their lifestyle.
Made (pronounced like Ma-day) is 22 and from Bali. Married to a much older man who married her and brought her to Australia away from virtual poverty, her English is still halting and she finds it hard to keep up with other women when the conversation becomes rapid. Made still practices her traditions and is quietly philosophical and mature well beyond her years.
Suzie is in her late twenties and alone. Her boyfriend left her when she was 7 months pregnant with their daughter and now Suzie is a single mother, struggling to make ends meet. She has almost no support other than her former boyfriends mother, with whom she has a tenuous relationship. A free spirit, a believer in naturopathy, Suzie runs a home business in massage therapy to make ends meet. When she meets a handsome, charismatic man at her local coffee shop, she thinks her fortunes might be about to change.
Miranda is the only one of the women who is looking after more than one child. Her new husband Willem, father of baby Rory also has a son named Digby from a previous relationship where he lost his wife. Miranda struggles to bond with Digby after Willem dismisses the nanny, struggling to cope with a rambunctious and precocious toddler and a newborn often on her own for long periods of time when Willem travels for work. Miranda is hiding a secret on just how she is coping, from everyone.
Pippa married her childhood sweetheart and had a traumatic birth with baby Heidi, still suffering some months later. She’s struggling with Heidi waking up multiple times a night, which he husband, although supportive, never seems to really hear. She’s surprised when her mothers’ group rallies around her to help her the most during her hour of need.
Cara is the one that makes everyone feel welcome, who smooths over the awkward moments and diffuses any moments of tension that might arise with this group of very different women. Her baby Astrid is the go-getter of the group, crawling and walking early.
These women, thrown together by circumstance, form a very interesting and tenuous friendship, something that is shattered one afternoon. What should be a celebration turns to devastation and the revelations will threaten to blow the entire group apart for good.
Oh my god, this book. I had heard amazing things about it and I bought it without really knowing too much about it, just that it had received some good reviews from people I know. My husband went to the football yesterday and then straight to work from that so he was gone over 12 hours. After I got the children into bed, my reward was this book. And was it worth it!
Fiona Higgins brilliantly captures first time motherhood emotions and conflicts and what it can feel like to have a tiny, squalling newborn thrust upon you. There’s so many conflicting feelings, some that society makes you feel that you cannot even express and this book deals with them all, but not in a way in which makes you feel bogged down, like that’s all there is. The book is divided up into sections about each of the women, their background and how they came to be experiencing motherhood at this particular time in their life. They are an eclectic bunch, from brusque Ginie to hippy Suzie, which is the way most mothers’ groups work. You’re thrown together by proximity and timing, not intellect, social status or hobbies. Despite their differing personalities, slowly the women come to move from meeting out of duty to meeting out of necessity and want.
The book is engrossing as it sets up the group, introducing us to the women and their babies, exploring their backgrounds and establishing the connection that inevitably builds. It steps up another notch as the reader makes a discovery and then it goes up even more when an afternoon that should be a wonderful celebration for them all culminates in utter tragedy. It is devastating to read and I became glad my husband was at work because he makes fun of me when I cry reading books! This story was utterly compelling and then utterly horrific. It was car crash reading – painful but I was utterly unable to put the book down, I had to keep going.
The Mothers’ Group is an amazing story of tentative friendships forged by circumstance, the impact of motherhood on women and the impact of motherhood on relationships. Having a baby is the best thing I’ve ever done (I have 2 now) but it’s also been the hardest in some ways as well. My relationship with my husband is not the same as it was prior to children – in some ways it’s inexplicably better, in other ways it is not. It is the sacrifice we have made to be parents together and I do think this issue is brilliantly explored. Things do not just “go back to normal” after the baby arrives. I went to a mothers’ group after the birth of my first child Hunter, but it wasn’t a success. There were too many of us and the town was unsuitable to hold post-maternal health organised gatherings. I do wish I’d had that sort of support network as my family are all interstate and at times I missed adult conversation!
I’ll be recommending this one to everyone – it is that fabulous.
The women are all quite different – Ginie is 39, a career woman who earns the big bucks as a venture capital lawyer. She meets, becomes pregnant to and marries the younger Daniel in a whirlwind six months. Ginie finds herself restless at home, keen to return to work both because she wants to and because the money she earns funds their lifestyle.
Made (pronounced like Ma-day) is 22 and from Bali. Married to a much older man who married her and brought her to Australia away from virtual poverty, her English is still halting and she finds it hard to keep up with other women when the conversation becomes rapid. Made still practices her traditions and is quietly philosophical and mature well beyond her years.
Suzie is in her late twenties and alone. Her boyfriend left her when she was 7 months pregnant with their daughter and now Suzie is a single mother, struggling to make ends meet. She has almost no support other than her former boyfriends mother, with whom she has a tenuous relationship. A free spirit, a believer in naturopathy, Suzie runs a home business in massage therapy to make ends meet. When she meets a handsome, charismatic man at her local coffee shop, she thinks her fortunes might be about to change.
Miranda is the only one of the women who is looking after more than one child. Her new husband Willem, father of baby Rory also has a son named Digby from a previous relationship where he lost his wife. Miranda struggles to bond with Digby after Willem dismisses the nanny, struggling to cope with a rambunctious and precocious toddler and a newborn often on her own for long periods of time when Willem travels for work. Miranda is hiding a secret on just how she is coping, from everyone.
Pippa married her childhood sweetheart and had a traumatic birth with baby Heidi, still suffering some months later. She’s struggling with Heidi waking up multiple times a night, which he husband, although supportive, never seems to really hear. She’s surprised when her mothers’ group rallies around her to help her the most during her hour of need.
Cara is the one that makes everyone feel welcome, who smooths over the awkward moments and diffuses any moments of tension that might arise with this group of very different women. Her baby Astrid is the go-getter of the group, crawling and walking early.
These women, thrown together by circumstance, form a very interesting and tenuous friendship, something that is shattered one afternoon. What should be a celebration turns to devastation and the revelations will threaten to blow the entire group apart for good.
Oh my god, this book. I had heard amazing things about it and I bought it without really knowing too much about it, just that it had received some good reviews from people I know. My husband went to the football yesterday and then straight to work from that so he was gone over 12 hours. After I got the children into bed, my reward was this book. And was it worth it!
Fiona Higgins brilliantly captures first time motherhood emotions and conflicts and what it can feel like to have a tiny, squalling newborn thrust upon you. There’s so many conflicting feelings, some that society makes you feel that you cannot even express and this book deals with them all, but not in a way in which makes you feel bogged down, like that’s all there is. The book is divided up into sections about each of the women, their background and how they came to be experiencing motherhood at this particular time in their life. They are an eclectic bunch, from brusque Ginie to hippy Suzie, which is the way most mothers’ groups work. You’re thrown together by proximity and timing, not intellect, social status or hobbies. Despite their differing personalities, slowly the women come to move from meeting out of duty to meeting out of necessity and want.
The book is engrossing as it sets up the group, introducing us to the women and their babies, exploring their backgrounds and establishing the connection that inevitably builds. It steps up another notch as the reader makes a discovery and then it goes up even more when an afternoon that should be a wonderful celebration for them all culminates in utter tragedy. It is devastating to read and I became glad my husband was at work because he makes fun of me when I cry reading books! This story was utterly compelling and then utterly horrific. It was car crash reading – painful but I was utterly unable to put the book down, I had to keep going.
The Mothers’ Group is an amazing story of tentative friendships forged by circumstance, the impact of motherhood on women and the impact of motherhood on relationships. Having a baby is the best thing I’ve ever done (I have 2 now) but it’s also been the hardest in some ways as well. My relationship with my husband is not the same as it was prior to children – in some ways it’s inexplicably better, in other ways it is not. It is the sacrifice we have made to be parents together and I do think this issue is brilliantly explored. Things do not just “go back to normal” after the baby arrives. I went to a mothers’ group after the birth of my first child Hunter, but it wasn’t a success. There were too many of us and the town was unsuitable to hold post-maternal health organised gatherings. I do wish I’d had that sort of support network as my family are all interstate and at times I missed adult conversation!
I’ll be recommending this one to everyone – it is that fabulous.
March 1, 2018
This is an excellent first novel by this Author! Absolutely loved it and so insightful to the lives of different women. As a Mother myself I did cry a lot near the ending... What a ride for all the women in this book and loved how we got to know each Mother in their own Chapters and how all the things tied together.
May 20, 2017
Relatable, hilarious in parts and utterly heartbreaking in others, this is an easy read that anyone who has had a child will identify with.
April 25, 2020
Heartwarming
June 14, 2017
Met dank aan Ambo/Anthos uitgevers voor dit recensie-exemplaar.
Fiona Higgins keerde recent terug van Indonesië waar zij drie jaar verbleef. Ze werkte steeds voor non-profitorganisaties en is gekwalificeerd in de sociale wetenschappen. Deze elementen van haar achtergrond zijn dan ook steeds aanwezig in haar boeken.
Korte samenvatting
Op Bali volgen zes mensen een cursus ‘Overwin je angst’. Ze kennen elkaar niet en hebben elk een diverse achtergrond en iedereen is voor verschillende dingen bang.
Jannelle komt uit Australië en heeft te kampen met vliegangst. Vanuit Melbourne vliegt ze naar Bali, om de cursus ‘Overwin je angst’ mee te volgen. Op zich is het vliegen naar Bali om de cursus te volgen al een ganse overwinning. Ze wenst de cursus te volgen omdat haar angst voor grote belemmeringen zorgt, zowel op professioneel als op persoonlijk vlak. Haar vriend Nick heeft haar een jaar geleden namelijk gedumpt omdat ze nooit samen op reis konden gaan. Bovendien heeft ze haar ontslag ingediend, ze wil er helemaal van tussenuit en nadenken over wat ze met haar leven wil doen.
Henry, uit Engeland, gaat naar Bali om vogels te spotten. Maar het park waar hij ze kan zien is gesloten voor een week wegens de Pusat Burung ceremonie. Hij ziet een affiche van de cursus ‘Overwin je angst’ en beslist zich in te schrijven. Zijn grootste angst is het spreken in het openbaar. Ook bij hem zorgt dit voor professionele belemmeringen.
Annie is een Amerikaanse lerares. Ze heeft jaren geleefd op haar ranch samen met haar man, tot deze door een slang werd gebeten en stierf. Ze werkt nu sinds vorig jaar als vrijwilligster op Bali in een dierenopvangcentrum en ze wenst iets te doen aan haar angst voor slangen.
De Franse Remy werkt in de financiële sector en heeft last van hoogtevrees. De meeste bedrijven in deze sector bevinden zich echter in de Parijse wolkenkrabbers….
Cara komt uit Sydney en woont reeds vier jaar op Bali. Zij was journaliste en is bang om iemand te vertrouwen. Bovendien heeft ze ook problemen met intimiteit.
Als laatste is er de Italiaanse Lorenzo, getrouwd met Lavinia. Door een vorm van angst lukt het hen niet om samen kinderen te krijgen.
Deze zes mensen gaan samen de uitdaging aan om hun angsten te overwinnen en de goeroe Pak Tony wijst hen hierbij de weg. Ze ondergaan allerlei oefeningen en rituelen, waarbij er warme vriendschappen ontstaan en zelfs liefde open bloeit.
Maar dan, tijdens een van de oefeningen gebeurt het ondenkbare. Gans de groep komt in levensgevaar. Ieder moet zich bewijzen en zijn of haar angsten overwinnen.
Conclusie
Mijn eerste reactie na het lezen van deze roman was: wat een boek!
Als je de korte inhoud leest, spreekt dit boek weinig tot de verbeelding. Hetgeen er gebeurt tijdens een van de oefeningen van de cursus ‘Overwin je angst’, net daar waar mijn korte samenvatting stopt, is het hoogtepunt van het verhaal waardoor veel lezers geprikkeld zullen zijn het te lezen. Maar als ik verklap wat het is, vertel ik een enorme spoiler. Het was voor mij een onverwachte wending en net doordat ik niet wist wat er kwam had ik een echt wow-gevoel. Daarom ook dat ik niet verder ga in mijn korte samenvatting.
Het boek bestaat uit zes grote delen, elk deel heeft de titel van een van de angsten van de deelnemers: “vliegen”, “spreken in het openbaar”, “hoogten”, “intimiteit”, “dood” en “falen”.
De auteur heeft een zeer mooie schrijfstijl. Ze beeldend waardoor je je als lezer echt in Bali waant. Bovendien heeft ze een origineel en soms grappig taalgebruik, zoals bijvoorbeeld het gebruik van woorden als ‘designer vagina’, … . Ook heeft ze aandacht voor details zoals de verschillende taalaccenten van de deelnemers, zo spreekt Remy Engels met een Frans accent en Lorenzo met een Italiaans. Alles wat de auteur omschrijft wordt realistisch in beeld gebracht, ze heeft bovendien oog voor de sociale noden bij de lokale bevolking van Bali, wat een realistisch beeld geeft. Bij het lezen is het duidelijk dat de auteur weet waarover ze het heeft.
Dit alles zorgde ervoor dat het lezen van dit boek voor mij een aangename leeservaring was.
Alle personages zijn perfect uitgewerkt, iedereen kan wel iets terugvinden van zichzelf in een van hen. De auteur speelt ook in op de actualiteit en toont de verschillende contrasten die aanwezig zijn op Bali: de rijkdom van de toeristen versus de arme lokale bevolking, Moslimgemeenschap versus de Hindoegemeenschap, Java versus Bali, … . Zo zal je als lezer niet alleen het beeld krijgen van Bali als mooi tropisch eiland maar ook de harde realiteit van het dagelijks leven van de lokale bevolking leren kennen.
‘Onverschrokken’ is een adembenemende roman en een echte pageturner. Het is psychologisch, spannend, romantisch en het doet je dromen over het mooie Bali.
Een echte aanrader, en van mij krijgt het boek dan ook 4,5 sterren.
Fiona Higgins keerde recent terug van Indonesië waar zij drie jaar verbleef. Ze werkte steeds voor non-profitorganisaties en is gekwalificeerd in de sociale wetenschappen. Deze elementen van haar achtergrond zijn dan ook steeds aanwezig in haar boeken.
Korte samenvatting
Op Bali volgen zes mensen een cursus ‘Overwin je angst’. Ze kennen elkaar niet en hebben elk een diverse achtergrond en iedereen is voor verschillende dingen bang.
Jannelle komt uit Australië en heeft te kampen met vliegangst. Vanuit Melbourne vliegt ze naar Bali, om de cursus ‘Overwin je angst’ mee te volgen. Op zich is het vliegen naar Bali om de cursus te volgen al een ganse overwinning. Ze wenst de cursus te volgen omdat haar angst voor grote belemmeringen zorgt, zowel op professioneel als op persoonlijk vlak. Haar vriend Nick heeft haar een jaar geleden namelijk gedumpt omdat ze nooit samen op reis konden gaan. Bovendien heeft ze haar ontslag ingediend, ze wil er helemaal van tussenuit en nadenken over wat ze met haar leven wil doen.
Henry, uit Engeland, gaat naar Bali om vogels te spotten. Maar het park waar hij ze kan zien is gesloten voor een week wegens de Pusat Burung ceremonie. Hij ziet een affiche van de cursus ‘Overwin je angst’ en beslist zich in te schrijven. Zijn grootste angst is het spreken in het openbaar. Ook bij hem zorgt dit voor professionele belemmeringen.
Annie is een Amerikaanse lerares. Ze heeft jaren geleefd op haar ranch samen met haar man, tot deze door een slang werd gebeten en stierf. Ze werkt nu sinds vorig jaar als vrijwilligster op Bali in een dierenopvangcentrum en ze wenst iets te doen aan haar angst voor slangen.
De Franse Remy werkt in de financiële sector en heeft last van hoogtevrees. De meeste bedrijven in deze sector bevinden zich echter in de Parijse wolkenkrabbers….
Cara komt uit Sydney en woont reeds vier jaar op Bali. Zij was journaliste en is bang om iemand te vertrouwen. Bovendien heeft ze ook problemen met intimiteit.
Als laatste is er de Italiaanse Lorenzo, getrouwd met Lavinia. Door een vorm van angst lukt het hen niet om samen kinderen te krijgen.
Deze zes mensen gaan samen de uitdaging aan om hun angsten te overwinnen en de goeroe Pak Tony wijst hen hierbij de weg. Ze ondergaan allerlei oefeningen en rituelen, waarbij er warme vriendschappen ontstaan en zelfs liefde open bloeit.
Maar dan, tijdens een van de oefeningen gebeurt het ondenkbare. Gans de groep komt in levensgevaar. Ieder moet zich bewijzen en zijn of haar angsten overwinnen.
Conclusie
Mijn eerste reactie na het lezen van deze roman was: wat een boek!
Als je de korte inhoud leest, spreekt dit boek weinig tot de verbeelding. Hetgeen er gebeurt tijdens een van de oefeningen van de cursus ‘Overwin je angst’, net daar waar mijn korte samenvatting stopt, is het hoogtepunt van het verhaal waardoor veel lezers geprikkeld zullen zijn het te lezen. Maar als ik verklap wat het is, vertel ik een enorme spoiler. Het was voor mij een onverwachte wending en net doordat ik niet wist wat er kwam had ik een echt wow-gevoel. Daarom ook dat ik niet verder ga in mijn korte samenvatting.
Het boek bestaat uit zes grote delen, elk deel heeft de titel van een van de angsten van de deelnemers: “vliegen”, “spreken in het openbaar”, “hoogten”, “intimiteit”, “dood” en “falen”.
De auteur heeft een zeer mooie schrijfstijl. Ze beeldend waardoor je je als lezer echt in Bali waant. Bovendien heeft ze een origineel en soms grappig taalgebruik, zoals bijvoorbeeld het gebruik van woorden als ‘designer vagina’, … . Ook heeft ze aandacht voor details zoals de verschillende taalaccenten van de deelnemers, zo spreekt Remy Engels met een Frans accent en Lorenzo met een Italiaans. Alles wat de auteur omschrijft wordt realistisch in beeld gebracht, ze heeft bovendien oog voor de sociale noden bij de lokale bevolking van Bali, wat een realistisch beeld geeft. Bij het lezen is het duidelijk dat de auteur weet waarover ze het heeft.
Dit alles zorgde ervoor dat het lezen van dit boek voor mij een aangename leeservaring was.
Alle personages zijn perfect uitgewerkt, iedereen kan wel iets terugvinden van zichzelf in een van hen. De auteur speelt ook in op de actualiteit en toont de verschillende contrasten die aanwezig zijn op Bali: de rijkdom van de toeristen versus de arme lokale bevolking, Moslimgemeenschap versus de Hindoegemeenschap, Java versus Bali, … . Zo zal je als lezer niet alleen het beeld krijgen van Bali als mooi tropisch eiland maar ook de harde realiteit van het dagelijks leven van de lokale bevolking leren kennen.
‘Onverschrokken’ is een adembenemende roman en een echte pageturner. Het is psychologisch, spannend, romantisch en het doet je dromen over het mooie Bali.
Een echte aanrader, en van mij krijgt het boek dan ook 4,5 sterren.
September 23, 2012
I will start this review by saying that I have never attended a Mother's Group of my own, I have sat in on my sisters once and after that experience I knew Mother's Groups weren't for me.
Why? I find them too bitchy, a little too "Ginie."
To start off with the book was split into Chapters which covered each member of the Mother's Group.
Chapter 1 was Ginie, an older mum at 39 who is a lawyer and used to having a fast paced life.
She came across very judgemental, holier-than-thou and quite frankly not a nice person. The remarks she made about Made being a mail-order bride made me dislike her instantly. Ginie is not a likeable character.
Chapter 2 is Made (pronounced Ma-Day.)
Made is a Balinese woman who is married to an Australian husband. Made and Gordon met in Bali before moving to Australia.
Straight away I liked Made, she reminded me of a Thai friend of mine.
So honest, so open and so willing to help. She struggles with English and finds it hard to keep up with the pace of the Mother's Group but she is a great wife and mother to Wayan.
Chapter 3 is Suzie, a single mother after her boyfriend walked out on her at 7 months pregnant.
Her daughter is very unsettled and she is finding it hard to offer sympathy when the married members of the group are bagging out their husbands for not offering enough support.
Chapter 4 is Miranda. She is married to Willem and is helping to raise Willem's son from a previous marriage as well as raising Rory the newborn.
Digby (Miranda's stepson) is hyperactive, hard to control and I always thought on the Autism Spectrum. He challenges her daily and Miranda is not coping with her husband's work trips away along with stay and home parenting.
Chapter 5 is Pippa. After a traumatic birth, Pippa is finding it hard to bond with baby Heidi. She suffers from Post-natal depression and also finds it hard to fit into the Mother's Group.
Later in the book she will call on her Mothers Group friends to help her out when she is in hospital.
Chapter 6 is Cara. She is one of the friendliest members of the group, always there to offer support, defuse situations and generally lend a hand.
She was one of the most likable characters of the book.
Once you "meet" all the mothers, you start to deal with life's issues after motherhood. The settling into routines, breastfeeding etc.
A "situation" happens that forces a divide in the group, as a group they must all work together to offer support and love in this time of need.
As much as I dislike mothers group I did enjoy this book. Its amazing how 6 women from all walks of life can be friends when all they have in common is a child of the same age.
Why? I find them too bitchy, a little too "Ginie."
To start off with the book was split into Chapters which covered each member of the Mother's Group.
Chapter 1 was Ginie, an older mum at 39 who is a lawyer and used to having a fast paced life.
She came across very judgemental, holier-than-thou and quite frankly not a nice person. The remarks she made about Made being a mail-order bride made me dislike her instantly. Ginie is not a likeable character.
Chapter 2 is Made (pronounced Ma-Day.)
Made is a Balinese woman who is married to an Australian husband. Made and Gordon met in Bali before moving to Australia.
Straight away I liked Made, she reminded me of a Thai friend of mine.
So honest, so open and so willing to help. She struggles with English and finds it hard to keep up with the pace of the Mother's Group but she is a great wife and mother to Wayan.
Chapter 3 is Suzie, a single mother after her boyfriend walked out on her at 7 months pregnant.
Her daughter is very unsettled and she is finding it hard to offer sympathy when the married members of the group are bagging out their husbands for not offering enough support.
Chapter 4 is Miranda. She is married to Willem and is helping to raise Willem's son from a previous marriage as well as raising Rory the newborn.
Digby (Miranda's stepson) is hyperactive, hard to control and I always thought on the Autism Spectrum. He challenges her daily and Miranda is not coping with her husband's work trips away along with stay and home parenting.
Chapter 5 is Pippa. After a traumatic birth, Pippa is finding it hard to bond with baby Heidi. She suffers from Post-natal depression and also finds it hard to fit into the Mother's Group.
Later in the book she will call on her Mothers Group friends to help her out when she is in hospital.
Chapter 6 is Cara. She is one of the friendliest members of the group, always there to offer support, defuse situations and generally lend a hand.
She was one of the most likable characters of the book.
Once you "meet" all the mothers, you start to deal with life's issues after motherhood. The settling into routines, breastfeeding etc.
A "situation" happens that forces a divide in the group, as a group they must all work together to offer support and love in this time of need.
As much as I dislike mothers group I did enjoy this book. Its amazing how 6 women from all walks of life can be friends when all they have in common is a child of the same age.
June 8, 2012
Set in the Eastern suburbs of Sydney, The Mother's Group is the story of six women from different backgrounds thrown together via the shared experience of first time motherhood. Everybody knows motherhood is not easy and through these women the reader explores the way modern women approach the journey.
Right from the beginning, you get the sense that there is more to every character than meets the eye and as the story unfolds you get to know each woman through different POV chapters. As you would expect there is a varied mix of first time mothers - ranging from a high-flying lawyer who accidentally got pregnant at 39 to a young Balinese woman, who is struggling to adapt to her new life in a foreign country with a much older husband. I thought the different POV worked well and enjoyed a different take on each section of the story as it progressed.
The characterisation was really good and I felt that I got a good sense of each woman and what she was about. I could empathise with the struggle each of them faced, although I did warm better to some characters than others. I also thought the sense of place was really strong, having no problem seeing the contemporary Sydney setting.
The action in the story comes later than expected and it was quite a shock to me when it happened. I was going along one path as a reader, seeing the book in one way, when it was actually paving the way towards a different destination altogether. Highly emotive, it really packed a punch and had me seeing each woman in a different light.
The Mother's Group is a well-written, engaging book that most women with children (and even those without) will be able to relate to on some level. Exploring the themes of friendship, relationships and parental love it is a compelling read.
Right from the beginning, you get the sense that there is more to every character than meets the eye and as the story unfolds you get to know each woman through different POV chapters. As you would expect there is a varied mix of first time mothers - ranging from a high-flying lawyer who accidentally got pregnant at 39 to a young Balinese woman, who is struggling to adapt to her new life in a foreign country with a much older husband. I thought the different POV worked well and enjoyed a different take on each section of the story as it progressed.
The characterisation was really good and I felt that I got a good sense of each woman and what she was about. I could empathise with the struggle each of them faced, although I did warm better to some characters than others. I also thought the sense of place was really strong, having no problem seeing the contemporary Sydney setting.
The action in the story comes later than expected and it was quite a shock to me when it happened. I was going along one path as a reader, seeing the book in one way, when it was actually paving the way towards a different destination altogether. Highly emotive, it really packed a punch and had me seeing each woman in a different light.
The Mother's Group is a well-written, engaging book that most women with children (and even those without) will be able to relate to on some level. Exploring the themes of friendship, relationships and parental love it is a compelling read.
August 7, 2012
Once I started reading this book I didn't want to stop, although life always interrupts, especially if you have kids, right!? Anyway The Mother's Group is a fairly light and easy read, although I was moved to tears by the last act. This book is a bit of a downer in some ways. There were a few light-hearted moments, but some quite depressing situations lead up to the sad finale. However it's nowhere near as gritty as
The Slap
and was certainly a more enjoyable read for me. Good suspense and a mostly unpredictable storyline (although I did see one bit coming...). The characters, including a high-powered lawyer, a single mum, and a Balinese hotel maid, are fairly well-fleshed but as you get only one-sixth of the book dedicated to each one, it is a little hard to really connect with any of them. I highly recommend this book to Mums, and especially those who have attended a Mother's Group. I think you do need to have had children to relate to this book, even if you haven't experienced the situations personally. Mothers will definitely recognise the difficulties and emotions, and be distressed by the event near the end of the novel. If I'd read this before I had kids it wouldn't have had such an emotional effect of me. Not recommended for those who are feeling sad or emotional to begin with perhaps!
On a side-note, it possibly helps to have read Eat, Pray, Love and We Need To Talk About Kevin , as both books are referred to by the characters.
On a side-note, it possibly helps to have read Eat, Pray, Love and We Need To Talk About Kevin , as both books are referred to by the characters.
July 8, 2012
This is not the sort of thing I would normally read but my own mothers group is starting a book club and this is the first book up for discussion for obvious reasons and also because the author resides in our local area which is where the story takes place - so here I am trying new things! I found the story very readable - I read it in two sittings and that's quite a feat considering I have small baby. The writing is clear and easy and the narrative flows nicely with each chapter being from the perspective of a different member of the 'mothers group', much like the structure of 'The Slap'. The author also effectively builds up a feeling of what I like to call 'impending doom' - you know something bad is going to happen but to whom and when? In fact, I would hazard that the author has read and taken copious style notes from both 'The Slap' and 'We Need to Talk About Kevin' (which is actually referred to in the book). There is also a smattering of secrets and scandal across the narrative which keeps things moving whilst we prepare for the central catastrophe of the story. Where the book fell down a bit for me (and why I don't generally read this particular genre) is in the dialogue and the cliche. Much of the dialogue in the story is a little forced. Dialogue is very hard to write and this isn't too bad but it is distracting and a little irritating at times depending on which characters perspective we are in. I also found a lot of cliches, some of which were a bit far-fetched and others which were glaringly obvious and that too annoyed me. Overall though, I enjoyed this a great deal more than I thought I would - it's a grippingly easy read with some interesting themes - especially for a new parent.
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