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Hurricanes in Perfect Power: Tales of Modern Motherhood

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Some of the finest stories of motherhood ever written, collected in a stunning new collection

'To describe my mother would be to write about a hurricane in its perfect power. Or the climbing, falling colours of a rainbow' MAYA ANGELOU

The story of motherhood is an endlessly rich one. It's one of love - and all the highs and lows that come with that world-turning emotion - and, in the purest sense, of life itself. Within these pages, some of the finest writers in the world explore motherhood in wildly varying modes, from single parenthood to sisters coparenting, from the deepest hardships to the greatest celebrations.

Selected and introduced by Candice Brathwaite, author of I Am Not Your Baby Mother .

Stories by Lydia Davis, Anita Desai, Mary Gaitskill, Tessa Hadley, Jamaica Kincaid, Toni Morrison, Ngugi wa Thiong'o, Irenosen Okojie, Casey Plett, Tabitha Siklos, Helen Simpson, Ali Smith

288 pages, Hardcover

Published January 30, 2024

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About the author

Candice Brathwaite

12 books229 followers

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5 stars
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7 (35%)
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3 (15%)
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
49 reviews
February 6, 2023
There is an excellent range of writing in this volume.
Ali Smith alongside Toni Morrison.
It reminded me a little of Virago or Women's Press compilations from the 80s and 90s, which I love and tend to collect.
The editor, Candice Braithwaite, is probably best known for 'I am not your baby mother' so she is known for challenging stereotypical, white-centric conceptions of motherhood.
Her introduction is well-judged and had me impatient to read the stories.
When my children were small, I found it hard to get into focusing on a novel, so this selection of shorter pieces might have encouraged me to engage with a particular writer and read more of her work.
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325 reviews
May 7, 2025
An eclectic mix of 12 tales of modern motherhood from various authors, edited by Candice Brathwaite. Some are short stories while others are excerpts from a book. I read through quickly because I was excited finding some stories better than others.
10 reviews
May 2, 2024
Enjoying so far. Has some big names in the anthology/collection. Only 1/3 way through and will update when I finish.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews

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