The Many Mothers of Ivy Puddingstone

by Randy Susan Meyers

". . . beautifully written and full of warmth, wit, and wisdom. I'm a devoted fan!" -Liane Moriarty, New York Times bestselling author of Big Little Lies and Nine Perfect Strangers





Seven Children. Five Mothers. One idyllic commune. What could go wrong?

Annabel Cooper wants to save the world. Her story begins in 1964 with her journey to Freedom Summer in Mississippi, where the disappearance of her first love ignites a lifelong fight for justice. Years later, she, her husband, and four other couples form a Boston political collective where they live together with their children in a rambling Boston house. As the era's social upheaval intensifies, they move their children to a Vermont Eden, where they can remain safe from the world's threats; their parents continue their political work, taking turns traveling to Vermont to care for the children.

But not all danger comes from the outside.

Annabel's daughter, Ivy, yearns for normalcy, not the patchouli-soaked, natural-food-laden confines of Vermont. But mostly, she longs for Annabel's attention-until a cataclysmic event alters the course of all their lives and she learns the limits of her many mothers and fathers.

The Many Mothers of Ivy Puddingstone delves into the intricate and nuanced dance of familial love and communal ties through the lens of sociopolitical upheaval from the 1960s to the present day, examining which sacrifices are worth the price.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Contemporary, Audiobook, Drama

368 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 29, 2024

About the author

Randy Susan Meyers, an international bestselling author of five novels, has been recognized by the Massachusetts Council of the Book. They have chosen three of her books as Must-Read Books, praising her clear and distinctive voice that captivates readers and leaves them yearning for more.

Her sixth novel, THE MANY MOTHERS OF IVY PUDDINGSTONE, will be released on October 29, 2024.

Though her novels explore domestic drama, societal issues, and cultural nuances, informed by her years working with community and governmental agencies, she gained the most insight into family and other politics during her four years as a bartender in a small Boston neighborhood bar.

Meyers is a Brooklyn-Boston hybrid who believes happiness requires family, friends, books, and an occasional NY bagel. She lives in Boston with her husband and teaches at the Grub Street Writer's Center.

Reviews

[Jessica Strawser · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love stories that illuminate mother/daughter relationships from multiple characters' points of view, because there's something so relatable about this particular dynamic -- when people who love each other immeasurably still manage to misunderstand each other thoroughly, and where good intentions can fall short of being enough. In THE MANY MOTHERS OF IVY PUDDINGSTONE, Randy Susan Meyers chooses a fascinating backdrop -- and a cast of activists in the sociopolitically charged 1960s -- to explore this theme even further, broadening the definition of "mother" in the process and asking hard questions about where our ideals fall short and how our belief systems shape our families and our selves, both by birth and by choice. Randy Susan Meyers is an elegant, thoughtful writer: Readers are in excellent hands.

[Crystal King · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Randy Susan Meyers' books, so I was extra excited to be able to have an early read of this novel.
The Many Mothers of Ivy Puddingstone captivated me from the first page, kept me immersed until the end, and stayed with me for days after I finished. Meyers masterfully intertwines the political and social upheavals of the last fifty years with the intimate struggles of mother-daughter dynamics. Meyers juggles a large cast of characters (the book is partially set in a commune, after all!), but she does it with aplomb. It's a wonderful novel, and a must-read for anyone who loves stories that combine emotional depth with historical relevance.

[Jennifer S. Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was very lucky to have the opportunity to read this novel early and write a blurb for it. I'm so glad I did because this was an amazing novel that traces the lives of mother and daughter from the Freedom Fighting of the 1960s through 2020’s Covid. Annabel (mother) wants to make a difference in the world. When she becomes pregnant with Ivy, she's forced to reckon with her desire to be an activist and her desire to be a mother. The novel is told from both mother's and daughter's points of view, and when each tells her story, it's easy to see how the choices women had (have!) can be extremely limiting. This novel will both break and warm your heart. As I said in my blurb, this is a gorgeous novel.

[Tiff Kay · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was packed with so many different ideas that storyline suffered. Interracial relationships during KKK, Fighting for rights, living in a commune, kids raising themselves, relationships after loss, 9/11, COVID - all super interesting topics but trying to fit them in one novel left me desiring more. Lack of character depth made it hard to form a connection with any of the characters. The prologue had me super excited about a commune of kids smoking, being wild and raising themselves but these things were not a prevalent part of the book. The first 40% of the book could have been left out. It didn’t seem to have any connection to the second half, besides tying up loose ends from the beginning. I would have loved to know more about the commune and the kids lives. Whole years were skipped, including the first two years of the kids living at RoundHouse. These ideas have so much potential. It’s obvious the author is intelligent and does their research. I just feel too much was attempted in one book and it didn’t allow for any one idea to truly develop.

[Marybeth Buskirk · Rating 2 out of 5]

Oh boy. This book was just god awful. The title itself has nothing to do with the book at all, nothing to connect it minus the name of one of the characters. While this book is supposedly about a political commune, there is very little commune aspects to this story. We mostly follow Annabel, who says she is worldly and educated, but is naive and makes the worst decisions I’ve ever seen. While no one is perfect, she never seemed to learn from her mistakes, came off as a white savior, and whined at any inconvenience despite having white privilege. I also feel like this author might have a biased opinion about people on food stamps and that truly rubbed me the wrong way. Everyone deserves good nutritious food. Just skip this book.

[Deb Byrne · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m actually not sure what I read. I think this book had potential but the story was all of the place and the characters lacked any depth.

[Fay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you BookSparks, Randy Susan Meyers, GetRedPR, Köehlerbooks for my #gifted copy of The Many Mothers of Ivy Puddingstone! #FRC2024 #booksparks #RandySusanMeyers #TheManyMothersOfIvyPuddingstone #getredprbooks

𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐌𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐎𝐟 𝐈𝐯𝐲 𝐏𝐮𝐝𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐧𝐞
𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫: 𝐑𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐲 𝐒𝐮𝐬𝐚𝐧 𝐌𝐞𝐲𝐞𝐫𝐬
𝐏𝐮𝐛 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: 𝐎𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟗, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒

𝟱★

I will admit, I had absolutely no idea what to expect when I started this book. This book was so thought-provoking and beautifully written. I instantly fell in love with Annabel from the very beginning of this book. Her love for social justice reminded me a lot of my aunt, and I always love books where I feel that type of connection to the characters. While I had a hard time wrapping my head around the commune living aspect, I also admired how the four couples were fighting for a better future for others. I loved how this book was told in a dual POV, where both Annabel and Ivy’s perspectives were shared. A large theme in this book was the complexities of mother/daughter relationships. This focus extends beyond Annabel and Ivy, but also on the other mothers that helped to raise Ivy. Overall, I loved this book so much. I went into it completely blind and now I cannot stop thinking about it! I cannot recommend this book enough!

[Janet Lynch · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was very different from the books I normally choose to read. Told through the eyes of Annabel and her daughter, Ivy, it took me back to our country’s history. Starting in the 1960’s, a naive Annabel convinces her parents to let her travel south to register black voters in Ku Klux Klan territory. That summer changes her life. Afterwards, she and husband, Guthrie, move into a communal house, called Puddingstone, in Boston. All of the adults are activists, trying to make the world a better place. It is there that daughter Ivy is born. The house is shared with 10 adults and 7 children. As the parents get more and more involved with activism, they come up with a plan to relocate the children to a property in Vermont, called Roundhouse. Their wish is for the children to have an idyllic childhood, free from politics. But there is often trouble with the best laid plans……A very interesting and thoughtful read about family, mother-daughter relationships and what is important in life.

[Rene Collins · Rating 4 out of 5]

This historical fiction story follows Annabel and her daughter, Ivy, from the 1960’s to today. It carries emotional weight and is beautifully written.

Annabel, her husband, and several other couples live together in a commune. While the adults are worked towards their activists goals, the children are moved to a separate property. The children live together with minimal interactions with their biological parents. As a mom, it was difficult for me to imagine willingly being separated from my children. 💔

When tragedy strikes, the children, as well as their parents, become even more deeply bonded than before.

This book includes -
💜 mother/daughter relationships
💜 dual POV
💜 activism

[Deirdre Megan Byrd · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was unsure what to expect going into this book. the many mothers of ivy puddinstone is not a typical read for me. As I navigated this compelling story, I really connected to the mother daughter relationship that is woven throughout. Having had a dynamic relationship with my mother, it was something that stood out. Such a unique story!

[sammi_reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Annabel is a woman of the 60's dedicated to fighting for radical change. She joins a like-minded commune with her significant other and they have big dreams- that get deterred when she gets pregnant. The commune makes the radical decision to send the kids to live separately while the parents take shifts visiting so that they can stay focused on political activism otherwise. But how will this choice affect their children?

The Annabel sections are filled with ideals and protests. What drew me in were the discussions of motherhood and being a woman in that era. The start where she was younger, naive, and makes a costly mistake, was a good way to move her character forward into someone a bit harder, but still a bit selfish and easily swept up in a movement.

Ivy was an insightful child, and, as a mother, reading her sections of abandonment broke my heart. The excessive freedom she didn't enjoy, ylthe jealousies- it all felt so tangible.

I felt very connected to Ivy, whereas sometimes the movement and preaching disconnected from Annabel's character during her sections, although it was very interesting. You got a sense of the times from Annabel and a sense of a person from Ivy.

Overall, this is a great time period piece of fiction. I cried a few times reading it. Thank-you to both Get Red PR and Randy Susan Meyers for my ARC. My review is unbiased and opinions my own.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Many Mothers of Ivy Puddingstone by Randy Susan Meyers is a deeply moving novel that tackles a range of important and complex themes. If you are drawn to stories about racial inequality, alternative lifestyles, and the pressures of gender roles, this book will definitely resonate with you. It’s about being at war with yourself while the world around you is also in conflict, and it raises questions about how to keep living after tragedy strikes. One of the central themes is living your life chasing a ghost, which adds to the emotional weight of the story.

What makes this book particularly engaging is how it explores dishonesty—not just with others, but with yourself. It reminds readers of the difficult truth that parents aren't perfect, and that realization can lead to a deeper appreciation for family despite the inevitable complexities. Meyers does an excellent job weaving in these dynamics, making the family relationships rich and real.

Meyers’ author’s note and the research she did for the novel were fascinating to read, adding layers of context to the story. She draws connections between her life and the novel, but also points out the ways in which her experiences differ, making it clear that the characters are fictional yet rooted in emotional truths.

At its heart, The Many Mothers of Ivy Puddingstone is a story about fighting for the rights of others and the desire for a better life for everyone. It's a beautifully written book that will stay with you long after you've finished the last page. If you love books that address these complex themes, this one is worth picking up.

[Becky • bookmarked by becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️ rounded to 4 ⭐️

Set against the turbulent backdrop of 1960s and 1970s America, The Many Mothers of Ivy Puddingstone is a multigenerational exploration of found family, activism, and the costs of idealism.

The story centers around five like-minded families who form a commune rooted in progressive ideals and political activism. The women of the house rotate parenting duties, raising seven children collectively while championing causes such as civil rights, gender equality, and anti-war efforts.

I found the concept of communal living both fascinating and frustrating. Often, the mothers prioritize activism over the emotional needs of their children. While the title suggests a focus on Ivy, the story centers more on her mother, Annabel, and the other women in the commune. Meyers examines motherhood from a sociopolitical angle, showing how even noble causes can demand deep personal sacrifices.

I really enjoyed the historical context. Meyers paints a vivid picture of the era, capturing both the hope and disillusionment that defined those times.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow did this pack a punch! The timeline starts in the ‘60’s and takes us up to the end of Covid. Annabelle is in her late teens and wants to save the world. She persuades her parents to let her travel from Boston to Mississippi in the summer of ‘64(Freedom Summer) to get people of color to register to vote. That could be an entire novel in itself. This is just the start of her life dedicated to various causes. Using her art as a form of protest, we follow her path to various social issues.Friends with similar interests have formed together and all live communally in Boston. At some point it is decided that the group and their children will live on a farm in Vt. The adults return to Boston as needed for work so the children in Vt.have multiple caregivers(or Mommies).
As one would suspect there are multiple challenges from all angles. This has given me a lot to process as I was on a similar quest during these time periods. All I can say is that in the end, I made different choices.

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

𝚃𝚛𝚘𝚙𝚎𝚜:
•Dual POV
•Activism
•Strained Relationships

𝙱𝚕𝚞𝚛𝚋:

𝙎𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙣 𝘾𝙝𝙞𝙡𝙙𝙧𝙚𝙣. 𝙁𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙈𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙨. 𝙊𝙣𝙚 𝙞𝙙𝙮𝙡𝙡𝙞𝙘 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙢𝙪𝙣𝙚. 𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙘𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙜𝙤 𝙬𝙧𝙤𝙣𝙜?

𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘔𝘢𝘯𝘺 𝘔𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘐𝘷𝘺 𝘗𝘶𝘥𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘥𝘦𝘭𝘷𝘦𝘴 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘯𝘶𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘥 𝘥𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘧𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘢𝘭 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘶𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘵𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘴𝘰𝘤𝘪𝘰𝘱𝘰𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘭 𝘶𝘱𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘷𝘢𝘭 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝟣𝟫𝟨𝟢𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘥𝘢𝘺, 𝘦𝘹𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘤𝘩 𝘴𝘢𝘤𝘳𝘪𝘧𝘪𝘤𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘦.

💬 This is a very well written historical fiction novel. Annabel Cooper’s activism begins in 1964 and leads to a communal life with other families in Boston and Vermont. Her daughter Ivy, craves normalcy and her mother’s attention, faces tragedy that reveals the limits of their collective family. Definitely recommend for those that enjoy historical fiction books.

[Meta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whether you’re already a fan of Randy Susan Meyers (like me) or you haven't yet read a novel by her, you’ll be blown away by The Many Mothers of Ivy Puddingstone. It’s got everything I look for in a novel: moral conundrums, unforgettable characters, and above all else, page-turning storytelling. Bonus points for making me nostalgic for (certain aspects of) the '60s amid the excesses. Highly, highly recommended.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spanning 56 years from the Freedom Summer of 1964 to Covid, the story of Annabel and Guthrie and their children Ivy and Henry is a fascinating journey that era. Moving into a shared house with 4 other couples, they all tried to live their ideals to make the world a better place. Purchasing a huge property in Vermont, they idealistically decided to move their 7 children there. One of the mothers would live there full time and the other parents would drive up from Boston weekends. This is a novel about a unique period in time. Loved it

[Phyllis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Something about this didn't sit just right with me, but I suspect it is because the decades captured in this story are the actual decades of my life. The novel begins with the Freedom Summer of 1964 and culminates during the Covid pandemic, hitting on historical moments such as Kent State and 9/11 along the way. It is told through the eyes of a child Ivy and her mother Annabel, whose family was part of a far-left activist commune centered primarily in Boston with the children shuttled off to a farm in Vermont for a few years presaging the end of the commune. The book reads quickly. It just felt a little over the top to me.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding!

[Raeanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this because some friends asked me to go to a local library for a book club meeting to meet the author. Unfortunately, I didn't get to finish the book before the meeting. But I enjoyed the author so much that I continued with the book even though it wasn't really grabbing my interest.
It seems like it could have been shorter. I don't feel like the end matched the beginning in terms of feel.
I don't think it was a bad read, I simply think I wasn't in the mood for the book. I really did enjoy the conversation with the author, so still a win.

[Heather Starr · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a signed ARC directly from the author from her newsletter. I am so grateful to add it to my library.

This story alternates from a mother and daughter’s viewpoints beginning in the 1960’s until 2020 as COVID hits. The mother, Annabel is trying to change the world and decides that living in a commune with like-minded people is the best way to do that. Her daughter, Ivy and the other children living in the commune are affected drastically by the choices Annabel and the other parents make. A great story that goes through the Sixties, 9-11 and COVID. I love generational stories and this did not disappoint.

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️

The Many Mothers of Ivy Puddingstone is a historical fiction novel with beautiful writing. It is a very emotional and compelling story. The story spans from the 1960s to the present day. The story focuses on Annabelle and her daughter Ivy.

Annabel, her husband, and four other couples live in a commune. The adults are focused on their political work. It is agreed that the children should live on a property in another state for their own safety. I can only imagine how horrible it must have been to purposely leave your children. Ivy only wants a normal existence and her mother's attention. However, when tragedy hits, the children and their parents establish closer relationships.

The author did an excellent job of developing the characters. The plot was easy to follow, and I could vividly imagine the descriptive scenes. I really recommend reading this.

Thank you to Get Red Pr and author Randy Susan Meyers for the gifted book. All opinions are my own.

[Jeanette Dehoyos · Rating 4 out of 5]

So good!! The characters were written so beautifully!! Definitely a must read!

[VDKeck · Rating 4 out of 5]

From the turbulent sixties to the present day issues we are led to follow an eclectic group of couples and their children as they strive to fight injustice while maintaining a delicate balance of family life. They believe a communal lifestyle best suits their needs. The character development is very strong and reveals weakness and strengths. The storyline is so descriptive I could easily envision each persons perspective. Release date: 10/29/2024

[Cassey Forck · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simply a must read. This book encompasses not just the struggle of mother/daughter relationships but the struggle to do good in the world. And how balancing that isn’t as simple as you would think! Just a beautiful read! So thankful to get an advanced copy of this one!

[Cecile · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Many Mothers of Ivy Puddingstone is a book I would have loved to read at any point of time, but now, post 2024 election when facing our own political turmoil, it offers us all the perfect place to be, with sympathetic people coming of age in the 1960’s who confronted the socially unjust times they lives in, becoming political activists because of the moral imperative those times created. But this is not a glorified tale of group resistance. It’s a story told from the inside, through a mother and daughter’s first-person narratives that span the 60’s up to our present day. We experience the difficult choices made, the good intentions behind them as well as the tragic results. We understand the rift between mother and daughter that comes out of well-intentioned decisions in a world with no easy, well-worn path.

I felt for the many characters I met in Randy Meyer’s wonderful book. I empathized with their struggles, their successes along with the mishaps and devastating losses. I ultimately admired the way they did not despair but searched for solutions in the hope of improving their world. You know you are in the hands of a talented writer when you can experience the generational divide of mother-daughter throughout this journey and empathize equally with both. I highly recommend this book!

[Christina McComiskie · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing, amazing book. Incredible writing and fantastic characters. One of my favorites this year.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Randy Susan Meyers Delivers Powerful, Poignant Masterpiece

Author Randy Susan Meyers kept me entranced from page 1 in The Many Mothers of Ivy Puddingstone. I was immediately captivated by the way Randy puts readers into the tumultuous 60s through Annabel and her friends. This book captured the times and their layers with boldness and honesty. Through Annabel, we see how a young woman goes from naïveté as a young white activist to maturity. Annabel realizes she has so much to learn about racism. The story is fascinating on many levels as the author takes us through Annabel’s unusual commune life and her daughter’s over several decades. This book will make you think and weep.

[Donna Wetzel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks Goodreads for my copy of The Many Mothers of Ivy Puddingstone by Randy Meyers. I enjoyed reading this book mostly for its originality. The characters are very well written and the storyline was very interesting.

[Kearstin Ellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a heartfelt read

So many discussions that are deep and truly profound.

So so good I can’t even put into words how I truly felt as this book touched my soul.