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Stories for Mothers and Daughters
This fully annotated anthology includes:
- explanations of historical context in new introduction by Simon Thomas
- newly typeset and corrected versions of rare stories by women writers from the British Library collections
- original selection of short stories published together for the first time
Glorious chaos descends when a troop of daughters pay their mother a weekend visit; a mother buys her daughter a pet to teach her piety; and a daughter deposits unwanted suitors with her charmingly garrulous mother. Through the ages, teenage daughters perpetually rebel against maternal spectres of tradition, fallible mothers worry over the responsibility of imparting wisdom, and there are moments when time wears thin, and mothers slip back into being daughters. These stories often sketch the fault lines of this bond: a debutante daughter feels herself growing invisible, a sanatorium patient begins to question if her mother really wants her to get better, and a mother silently haunts her house when her children are packed off for the holidays. From telling a fairy-tale to attending a funeral, this collection is a testament to the love, in all its complexities and aches, that passes through generations of women.
This anthology brings together an eclectic mix of female masters of the short-story format. Many of these stories first appeared in periodicals and printed collections and are now presented together for the first time as part of the Women Writers series. Side by side, these mothers and daughters navigate the changes of a turbulent twentieth century for women’s rights and societal attitudes to female behaviour. This collection brings together the talents of Richmal Crompton, Sylvia Townsend Warner, Jeanette Winterson, Jamaica Kincaid, A.S. Byatt, Inez Holden, Winifred Holtby, Janet Frame, E.M. Delafield, and Tillie Olsen to embrace the mother-daughter bond in all its lovely, imperfect forms.
- explanations of historical context in new introduction by Simon Thomas
- newly typeset and corrected versions of rare stories by women writers from the British Library collections
- original selection of short stories published together for the first time
Glorious chaos descends when a troop of daughters pay their mother a weekend visit; a mother buys her daughter a pet to teach her piety; and a daughter deposits unwanted suitors with her charmingly garrulous mother. Through the ages, teenage daughters perpetually rebel against maternal spectres of tradition, fallible mothers worry over the responsibility of imparting wisdom, and there are moments when time wears thin, and mothers slip back into being daughters. These stories often sketch the fault lines of this bond: a debutante daughter feels herself growing invisible, a sanatorium patient begins to question if her mother really wants her to get better, and a mother silently haunts her house when her children are packed off for the holidays. From telling a fairy-tale to attending a funeral, this collection is a testament to the love, in all its complexities and aches, that passes through generations of women.
This anthology brings together an eclectic mix of female masters of the short-story format. Many of these stories first appeared in periodicals and printed collections and are now presented together for the first time as part of the Women Writers series. Side by side, these mothers and daughters navigate the changes of a turbulent twentieth century for women’s rights and societal attitudes to female behaviour. This collection brings together the talents of Richmal Crompton, Sylvia Townsend Warner, Jeanette Winterson, Jamaica Kincaid, A.S. Byatt, Inez Holden, Winifred Holtby, Janet Frame, E.M. Delafield, and Tillie Olsen to embrace the mother-daughter bond in all its lovely, imperfect forms.
- GenresShort Stories
Paperback
First published February 24, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
March 27, 2025
A new favorite British Library Women Writers title!! 😍❤️💜💙🧡
Although my top favorite in the series so far is probably still 'O, Brave the Music' by Dorothy Evelyn Smith, Stories for Mothers and Daughters is certainly tied...or at least a super close second.
I'm not sure if it's because I love the theme of mothers and daughters (since I am both!) or because these short stories are just brilliant. But, either way, I seriously LOVED this new addition to the Women Writers collection.
Short stories are such a joy for me because my brain wanders easily and short stories (and, also short chapters) help to my interest fresh and steady. I also find it fun and interesting to have a "taste" of authors I've never read before.
In this collection, I hadn't read any books by most of the authors, so it was such a treat. Although I truly enjoyed all of the stories, these are my favorites (in order of preference):
❤️ Week-End by Richmal Crompton
❤️ The Battle-Field by Phyllis Bottome
❤️ The End of the Fairy Tale by Maud Egerton King
❤️ The Silver Cloak by Winifred Holtby
❤️ Mothers and Daughters by Frances Gray Patton
❤️ History Again Repeats Itself by E.M. Delafield
It's strange how the first story was my favorite and the last was my least favorite 🤔 But, perhaps that was on purpose?
Overall, I'm over-the-moon excited about this British Library short story collection. Every one in the series so far has been super good. Many thanks to the British Library for sending me this book to read and review! Reading this anthology brought me so much happiness and caused me to be very thoughtful about my relationships to my mother and my daughter.
'Stories for Mothers and Daughters' is definitely a must-have for fans of British literature, women writers and domestic fiction...any mothers and daughters.
Although my top favorite in the series so far is probably still 'O, Brave the Music' by Dorothy Evelyn Smith, Stories for Mothers and Daughters is certainly tied...or at least a super close second.
I'm not sure if it's because I love the theme of mothers and daughters (since I am both!) or because these short stories are just brilliant. But, either way, I seriously LOVED this new addition to the Women Writers collection.
Short stories are such a joy for me because my brain wanders easily and short stories (and, also short chapters) help to my interest fresh and steady. I also find it fun and interesting to have a "taste" of authors I've never read before.
In this collection, I hadn't read any books by most of the authors, so it was such a treat. Although I truly enjoyed all of the stories, these are my favorites (in order of preference):
❤️ Week-End by Richmal Crompton
❤️ The Battle-Field by Phyllis Bottome
❤️ The End of the Fairy Tale by Maud Egerton King
❤️ The Silver Cloak by Winifred Holtby
❤️ Mothers and Daughters by Frances Gray Patton
❤️ History Again Repeats Itself by E.M. Delafield
It's strange how the first story was my favorite and the last was my least favorite 🤔 But, perhaps that was on purpose?
Overall, I'm over-the-moon excited about this British Library short story collection. Every one in the series so far has been super good. Many thanks to the British Library for sending me this book to read and review! Reading this anthology brought me so much happiness and caused me to be very thoughtful about my relationships to my mother and my daughter.
'Stories for Mothers and Daughters' is definitely a must-have for fans of British literature, women writers and domestic fiction...any mothers and daughters.
February 11, 2026
Over the past few years, the British Library has been doing sterling work with its excellent Women Writers series, reissuing lesser-known 20th-century novels by female authors for modern-day readers to enjoy. Alongside the novels, the series includes a handful of carefully curated anthologies, one of which – Stories for Mothers and Daughters – I’m discussing here.
Sometimes, these types of collections can be a little uneven, but in this instance, almost all the entries are very good. Here we have stories that explore various facets of mother-daughter relationships, from headstrong, liberated daughters opposing the more traditional authority figures their mothers represent, to shy, uncertain girls being pushed into society with limited support. In other tales, we learn of the sacrifices some mothers are prepared to make for the benefit of their children. It’s a fascinating collection, spanning a variety of different styles and the full breadth of the 20th century in settings / timeframes. As is often the case, different stories will likely resonate with different readers depending on their tastes, but there really does appear to be something for everyone here, from humorous sketches to poignant pieces to dramatic stories of clashing ideals.
The collection opens with Week-End by Richmal Crompton, who is probably best known for her Just William books, which makes perfect sense given the protagonists in this tale. As the story opens, a widowed mother who values peace and quiet is preparing to welcome her three boisterous adult daughters and their friend, ‘Nibbles’, for the weekend. The girls duly arrive, sweeping through the country cottage in a whirlwind of noise, selfish behaviour and blatant disregard for their mother’s way of life, The crux of this story rests on illustrating how blinkered these daughters are to their mother’s true desires – in short, they assume their mother needs cheering up, while in actual fact, she’d much rather be on her own. However, Compton overdoes it in the execution of this tale, portraying these girls as spoilt ten-year-olds rather than working women in their twenties or late teens. I loved the concept behind this one but couldn’t buy the girls’ behaviour, which included sliding down bannisters and surfing on tea trays when the weather turned foul!
Clashing priorities of a different kind feature in Inez Holden’s excellent story, The Value of Being Seen, in which Mrs Ascot is determined to launch her daughter Daphne into London society. Every preparation has been made, from ‘polishing’ Daphne at a Parisian finishing school and taking a house in London for the debutante season to instructing the girl on the importance of being seen and making a good impression. And yet, Daphne, who is shy and retiring at heart, finds the endless whirl of society dances terribly intimidating. As the interminable season unfolds, Daphne finds herself fading into the background to the point of becoming invisible to those around her.
Daphne’s existence went on. There were more dances, tea meetings, Lord’s, Goodwood, helping with plays for good causes; the unending putting on of dresses and having pictures taken; Daphne went about in a group of other débutantes all the time. They had nothing of any interest to say to one another—only cries of approval, foolish little laughs, and accounts of dancers fixed for the future. There was not a quiet minute, and through it all no one seemed to see Daphne. She was unconscious of herself, and she went on being unseen. (p. 22)
It’s a very striking story – sad, dark and beautifully executed.
To read the rest of my review, please visit:
https://jacquiwine.wordpress.com/2026...
Sometimes, these types of collections can be a little uneven, but in this instance, almost all the entries are very good. Here we have stories that explore various facets of mother-daughter relationships, from headstrong, liberated daughters opposing the more traditional authority figures their mothers represent, to shy, uncertain girls being pushed into society with limited support. In other tales, we learn of the sacrifices some mothers are prepared to make for the benefit of their children. It’s a fascinating collection, spanning a variety of different styles and the full breadth of the 20th century in settings / timeframes. As is often the case, different stories will likely resonate with different readers depending on their tastes, but there really does appear to be something for everyone here, from humorous sketches to poignant pieces to dramatic stories of clashing ideals.
The collection opens with Week-End by Richmal Crompton, who is probably best known for her Just William books, which makes perfect sense given the protagonists in this tale. As the story opens, a widowed mother who values peace and quiet is preparing to welcome her three boisterous adult daughters and their friend, ‘Nibbles’, for the weekend. The girls duly arrive, sweeping through the country cottage in a whirlwind of noise, selfish behaviour and blatant disregard for their mother’s way of life, The crux of this story rests on illustrating how blinkered these daughters are to their mother’s true desires – in short, they assume their mother needs cheering up, while in actual fact, she’d much rather be on her own. However, Compton overdoes it in the execution of this tale, portraying these girls as spoilt ten-year-olds rather than working women in their twenties or late teens. I loved the concept behind this one but couldn’t buy the girls’ behaviour, which included sliding down bannisters and surfing on tea trays when the weather turned foul!
Clashing priorities of a different kind feature in Inez Holden’s excellent story, The Value of Being Seen, in which Mrs Ascot is determined to launch her daughter Daphne into London society. Every preparation has been made, from ‘polishing’ Daphne at a Parisian finishing school and taking a house in London for the debutante season to instructing the girl on the importance of being seen and making a good impression. And yet, Daphne, who is shy and retiring at heart, finds the endless whirl of society dances terribly intimidating. As the interminable season unfolds, Daphne finds herself fading into the background to the point of becoming invisible to those around her.
Daphne’s existence went on. There were more dances, tea meetings, Lord’s, Goodwood, helping with plays for good causes; the unending putting on of dresses and having pictures taken; Daphne went about in a group of other débutantes all the time. They had nothing of any interest to say to one another—only cries of approval, foolish little laughs, and accounts of dancers fixed for the future. There was not a quiet minute, and through it all no one seemed to see Daphne. She was unconscious of herself, and she went on being unseen. (p. 22)
It’s a very striking story – sad, dark and beautifully executed.
To read the rest of my review, please visit:
https://jacquiwine.wordpress.com/2026...
October 4, 2025
i finished reading this AAAGGGEEEESSSS ago lol. such a fun lil book filled with so many different stories about mothers and daughters in different contexts <3333
October 10, 2025
This is the latest short story collection from the #BritishLibraryWomenWriters series and it really makes me hope for more down the track.
It’s not only perfect as a Mother’s Day present but also great to read on any other day of the year.
I love the variety of stories about mothers and daughters and their adventures and experiences together or sometimes in their quiet moments.
It’s hard to pick a favourite but I loved Weekend by Richmal Crompton and The Silver Clock by Winifred Holtby in particular.
It’s hard to say much about a short story without giving the plot away so let’s just say that I liked their thought provoking qualities but also that they made me smile. Both are general qualities of the series at large but both of these stood out to me but I thoroughly enjoyed reading the lot. Is that too general or cryptic? 🤔☺️ You just have to read them yourself.
And the collection also made me curious to read more by several of the authors and it reminded me how much I enjoyed reading Tension by E.M. Delafield (also available from this series) and that I have to get myself a copy of her Diary of a Provincial Lady.
One book read, several more added to the wishlist 💕☺️📚
Thank you so much @bl_publishing for sending me a copy of Stories for Mothers & Daughters. I thoroughly enjoyed it and appreciate your generosity.
The book was a gift but opinions are all my own.
It’s not only perfect as a Mother’s Day present but also great to read on any other day of the year.
I love the variety of stories about mothers and daughters and their adventures and experiences together or sometimes in their quiet moments.
It’s hard to pick a favourite but I loved Weekend by Richmal Crompton and The Silver Clock by Winifred Holtby in particular.
It’s hard to say much about a short story without giving the plot away so let’s just say that I liked their thought provoking qualities but also that they made me smile. Both are general qualities of the series at large but both of these stood out to me but I thoroughly enjoyed reading the lot. Is that too general or cryptic? 🤔☺️ You just have to read them yourself.
And the collection also made me curious to read more by several of the authors and it reminded me how much I enjoyed reading Tension by E.M. Delafield (also available from this series) and that I have to get myself a copy of her Diary of a Provincial Lady.
One book read, several more added to the wishlist 💕☺️📚
Thank you so much @bl_publishing for sending me a copy of Stories for Mothers & Daughters. I thoroughly enjoyed it and appreciate your generosity.
The book was a gift but opinions are all my own.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews