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Una buona madre
Un appuntamento tra due donne in un caffè di Dublino, che segnerà per sempre il loro futuro. Tess non ha idea di chi sia Maeve, questa donna che l’ha cercata dicendole di avere informazioni importanti su uno dei suoi figli, Luke, quello scapestrato, quello che a tutti i costi deve distruggere la serenità dei genitori e del fratello Aengus, spesso costretto suo malgrado a coprirlo. Che cosa avrà fatto questa volta Luke? Ma se veramente Maeve è una sconosciuta, perché Tess ha la vaga impressione di averla già vista?
Dall’incontro tra Tess e Maeve si dipanano le storie delle loro famiglie, che si scopriranno legate in un intreccio indissolubile. Tess è cresciuta in una famiglia numerosa nell’Irlanda degli anni Settanta, troppe responsabilità hanno gravato precocemente sulle sue spalle perché avesse voglia di diventare madre a sua volta, e ha faticato a calarsi in quel ruolo. Invece Maeve è rimasta incinta troppo presto, ha rischiato di vedersi sottrarre sua figlia, e solo il coraggio di una zia che aveva subito quel feroce destino è riuscito a salvarla da un istituto per ragazze madri molto simile a una prigione. Tess e Maeve sono due facce della maternità in un’Irlanda che, attraverso le generazioni, sembra negare alle donne la possibilità di scegliere. Un filo sottile lega le protagoniste di questo romanzo corale – e le loro madri, e i loro figli –, un filo simile a quello delle coperte patchwork che una di loro realizza, metafora dell’inesauribile capacità femminile di tessere, creare, rammendare e rinnovare sentimenti e relazioni.
Dall’incontro tra Tess e Maeve si dipanano le storie delle loro famiglie, che si scopriranno legate in un intreccio indissolubile. Tess è cresciuta in una famiglia numerosa nell’Irlanda degli anni Settanta, troppe responsabilità hanno gravato precocemente sulle sue spalle perché avesse voglia di diventare madre a sua volta, e ha faticato a calarsi in quel ruolo. Invece Maeve è rimasta incinta troppo presto, ha rischiato di vedersi sottrarre sua figlia, e solo il coraggio di una zia che aveva subito quel feroce destino è riuscito a salvarla da un istituto per ragazze madri molto simile a una prigione. Tess e Maeve sono due facce della maternità in un’Irlanda che, attraverso le generazioni, sembra negare alle donne la possibilità di scegliere. Un filo sottile lega le protagoniste di questo romanzo corale – e le loro madri, e i loro figli –, un filo simile a quello delle coperte patchwork che una di loro realizza, metafora dell’inesauribile capacità femminile di tessere, creare, rammendare e rinnovare sentimenti e relazioni.
- GenresFiction
327 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 11, 2022
About the author
Catherine Dunne
26 books118 followersMost writers serve a very long apprenticeship.
I became a fulltime writer in 1995, but I’ve been writing ever since I can remember. From short – very short – stories as a child to the usual excruciating poetry as a teenager: I’ve probably being putting words on paper for almost half a century now. What a thought.
As a child, it took me a few years to learn that there was a difference between reading and writing. For me, if you loved books, then of course you were going to try and write your own. But that was an almost impossible ambition in the Ireland where I grew up. I did the next best thing: the thing that kept me closest to books. I became a teacher, and I taught, very happily, for seventeen years. I loved teaching and still very much enjoy the Creative Writing workshops that I often facilitate.
But writing increasingly became a compulsion, almost an obsession. Nothing else satisfied in the way that writing satisfied, and so I continued to attempt poetry, short stories, non-fiction essays, honing my craft, serving my apprenticeship, until I finally finished my first novel, In the Beginning.
In the Beginning was published in 1997 and was very well-received, both critically and popularly. It was translated into several languages and went on to be shortlisted for the ‘Bancarella’ – the Italian booksellers’ prize.
A Name for Himself followed a year later, and was short listed for the Kerry Fiction Prize.
Between 2000 and 2014, I have published seven further novels: The Walled Garden, Another Kind of Life, Something Like Love, At a Time Like This, Set in Stone, Missing Julia and The Things We Know Now.
My non-fiction book, An Unconsidered People was published in 2003.
I’ve also written short stories and non-fiction pieces for various publications, among them Moments, Travelling Light, and Irish Girls about Town.
I receive a lot of requests to discuss various aspects of the creative process: the role played by inspiration, imagination, dedication and craft. I can’t answer all of these questions individually, so part of this website has been dedicated to a ‘Readers’ Forum’ in order to attempt to answer the most frequently-asked questions.
I became a fulltime writer in 1995, but I’ve been writing ever since I can remember. From short – very short – stories as a child to the usual excruciating poetry as a teenager: I’ve probably being putting words on paper for almost half a century now. What a thought.
As a child, it took me a few years to learn that there was a difference between reading and writing. For me, if you loved books, then of course you were going to try and write your own. But that was an almost impossible ambition in the Ireland where I grew up. I did the next best thing: the thing that kept me closest to books. I became a teacher, and I taught, very happily, for seventeen years. I loved teaching and still very much enjoy the Creative Writing workshops that I often facilitate.
But writing increasingly became a compulsion, almost an obsession. Nothing else satisfied in the way that writing satisfied, and so I continued to attempt poetry, short stories, non-fiction essays, honing my craft, serving my apprenticeship, until I finally finished my first novel, In the Beginning.
In the Beginning was published in 1997 and was very well-received, both critically and popularly. It was translated into several languages and went on to be shortlisted for the ‘Bancarella’ – the Italian booksellers’ prize.
A Name for Himself followed a year later, and was short listed for the Kerry Fiction Prize.
Between 2000 and 2014, I have published seven further novels: The Walled Garden, Another Kind of Life, Something Like Love, At a Time Like This, Set in Stone, Missing Julia and The Things We Know Now.
My non-fiction book, An Unconsidered People was published in 2003.
I’ve also written short stories and non-fiction pieces for various publications, among them Moments, Travelling Light, and Irish Girls about Town.
I receive a lot of requests to discuss various aspects of the creative process: the role played by inspiration, imagination, dedication and craft. I can’t answer all of these questions individually, so part of this website has been dedicated to a ‘Readers’ Forum’ in order to attempt to answer the most frequently-asked questions.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
June 5, 2024
A wonderfully interwoven tale from the perspective of six women (and one guy) whose lives are intricately connected.
Right off the bat, I must say that the blurb is misleading because the story is much more than that. It's better to go in blind and experience the depth of this narrative firsthand.
The story unfolds through multiple points of view across different timelines. I also have to commend the historical accuracy of the novel. It vividly captures events and issues that cast a dark cloud over Ireland.
We are introduced to Tess, the mother of two children – Aengus and Luke. Aengus is the good, mature, caring, forgiving, and understanding child, whereas I'm almost positive that Luke is a psychopath. He is the dark cloud over these women's lives. The role of a mother is difficult. When you know that your kid did something horrendous, how do you cope with it? Do you stop loving him? Do you cast him aside? Do you support him nevertheless? Do you accept him? It is a complex situation and a wreck on a mother's heart. Having to accept that your child is evil is the last thing any mother would want to face. So how do you tread forward? Or do you forever stay frozen in that moment? You end up questioning if you were a good enough mother.
We are also introduced to Maeve in 1979, having just given birth to her daughter Belle. Due to having given birth to a child out of wedlock, she is cast aside by her parents and sent to a mother and baby home, the likes of which were infamous in Ireland for being abusive, oppressive, misogynistic, and coercive confinement. They were notorious for forcibly taking away the babies and trafficking them across the world. The author's note also mentioned that recently, the bodies of 800 infants were discovered in an underground tank in one such institution.
The author really did justice to the memories of these tortured women through Eileen, Maeve, and Joanie. They still carry the scars from their time in these institutions. One never met her son again, one barely escaped with her daughter, and another met her son decades later, having lived her entire life searching and yearning for him. Their pain and anger at the system for such treatment are justly highlighted in the story. These institutes used religion to oppress these women and treat them as sinners and outcasts in society when they should have been supported.
This novel also deals with sexual abuse. Although I did not like the outcome at the end, unfortunately, that is the reality for several victims. I will not disclose more on the matter.
All is not sad and forlorn in this novel. We also meet another mother, Betty, who has lived a full life and is now reminiscing old memories. Her point of view is in the second person, like letters to her husband Jack, who passed away. Being a mother of six and living in a financially distressed household is not easy. Yet, the happy moments with the family more than make up for it. She is very supportive and always provides a listening ear to her daughter Tess (yes, the one mentioned above). Her povs shine a light on Tess's past and childhood.
Lastly, I would like to appreciate Aengus. He is a gem and stands for what’s right. His thoughtful and caring nature made him stand out. Having a second angle to Tess's situation was great too.
Overall, a profound story with the tales of several mothers who would do anything for their children.
4 stars! (It was a tad predictable but that didn't take away from the story.)
Thank you, NetGalley, Betimes Books, and Catherine Dunne, for providing me with the DRC for this wonderful book! Much appreciated!
Right off the bat, I must say that the blurb is misleading because the story is much more than that. It's better to go in blind and experience the depth of this narrative firsthand.
The story unfolds through multiple points of view across different timelines. I also have to commend the historical accuracy of the novel. It vividly captures events and issues that cast a dark cloud over Ireland.
We are introduced to Tess, the mother of two children – Aengus and Luke. Aengus is the good, mature, caring, forgiving, and understanding child, whereas I'm almost positive that Luke is a psychopath. He is the dark cloud over these women's lives. The role of a mother is difficult. When you know that your kid did something horrendous, how do you cope with it? Do you stop loving him? Do you cast him aside? Do you support him nevertheless? Do you accept him? It is a complex situation and a wreck on a mother's heart. Having to accept that your child is evil is the last thing any mother would want to face. So how do you tread forward? Or do you forever stay frozen in that moment? You end up questioning if you were a good enough mother.
We are also introduced to Maeve in 1979, having just given birth to her daughter Belle. Due to having given birth to a child out of wedlock, she is cast aside by her parents and sent to a mother and baby home, the likes of which were infamous in Ireland for being abusive, oppressive, misogynistic, and coercive confinement. They were notorious for forcibly taking away the babies and trafficking them across the world. The author's note also mentioned that recently, the bodies of 800 infants were discovered in an underground tank in one such institution.
The author really did justice to the memories of these tortured women through Eileen, Maeve, and Joanie. They still carry the scars from their time in these institutions. One never met her son again, one barely escaped with her daughter, and another met her son decades later, having lived her entire life searching and yearning for him. Their pain and anger at the system for such treatment are justly highlighted in the story. These institutes used religion to oppress these women and treat them as sinners and outcasts in society when they should have been supported.
This novel also deals with sexual abuse. Although I did not like the outcome at the end, unfortunately, that is the reality for several victims. I will not disclose more on the matter.
All is not sad and forlorn in this novel. We also meet another mother, Betty, who has lived a full life and is now reminiscing old memories. Her point of view is in the second person, like letters to her husband Jack, who passed away. Being a mother of six and living in a financially distressed household is not easy. Yet, the happy moments with the family more than make up for it. She is very supportive and always provides a listening ear to her daughter Tess (yes, the one mentioned above). Her povs shine a light on Tess's past and childhood.
Lastly, I would like to appreciate Aengus. He is a gem and stands for what’s right. His thoughtful and caring nature made him stand out. Having a second angle to Tess's situation was great too.
Overall, a profound story with the tales of several mothers who would do anything for their children.
4 stars! (It was a tad predictable but that didn't take away from the story.)
Thank you, NetGalley, Betimes Books, and Catherine Dunne, for providing me with the DRC for this wonderful book! Much appreciated!
June 11, 2025
what a fantastic and highly emotional story!
January 9, 2023
La cosa mi fa ridere, ma devo ammettere un clamoroso errore da parte mia. Avevo confuso Catherine Dunne con Katherine Dunn della quale ho amato moltissimo Carnival love. Per cui, quando ho visto questo romanzo con recensioni così alte mi è sembrata una piacevole sorpresa e mi sono detta: cosa può andare storto?
Nel film Redbelt uno dei personaggi dice Un uomo distratto è un uomo sconfitto. Che grande sconfitta, questo Una buona madre: mi aspettavo un romanzo fresco e intelligente, pur sul tema di cui avevo letto la sinossi (lo stupro, il rapporto tra madri e figli e, sullo sfondo, la spaventosa vicenda delle adolescenti irlandesi incinte spedite in convento da famiglie piene di vergogna e a cui venivano sottratti i figli), e invece mi sono ritrovata tra le mani un polpettone grande come il cielo. Un silo di melassa, un marshmellone smielone e pesantone, un concentrato gigione di banalità , di coincidenze straordinarie , di femminismo pelosone e semplicione .
È un vero peccato, un vero grandissimo peccato, perché il tema dei bambini sottratti alle madri nel Novecento irlandese è un tema fortissimo, che può essere affrontato con mille sfumature, dalla delicatezza alla brutalità, vedasi il bellissimo film Magdalene di Peter Mullen. Ma questo caramellone stucchevole proprio NO.
Nel film Redbelt uno dei personaggi dice Un uomo distratto è un uomo sconfitto. Che grande sconfitta, questo Una buona madre: mi aspettavo un romanzo fresco e intelligente, pur sul tema di cui avevo letto la sinossi (lo stupro, il rapporto tra madri e figli e, sullo sfondo, la spaventosa vicenda delle adolescenti irlandesi incinte spedite in convento da famiglie piene di vergogna e a cui venivano sottratti i figli), e invece mi sono ritrovata tra le mani un polpettone grande come il cielo. Un silo di melassa, un marshmellone smielone e pesantone, un concentrato gigione di banalità , di coincidenze straordinarie , di femminismo pelosone e semplicione .
È un vero peccato, un vero grandissimo peccato, perché il tema dei bambini sottratti alle madri nel Novecento irlandese è un tema fortissimo, che può essere affrontato con mille sfumature, dalla delicatezza alla brutalità, vedasi il bellissimo film Magdalene di Peter Mullen. Ma questo caramellone stucchevole proprio NO.
June 15, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley, author Catherine Dunne and Betimes Books for the ARC and opportunity to review this book.
I will be honest and say I didn’t read the description so I had no idea what I was getting into. This isn’t a typical book that I would normally choose and for that I am grateful to have been able to read and review it.
It was such a powerful and emotional take on pregnancy, motherhood and the history of how unwed mothers were treated in earlier years.
While I have always know these mother/baby places existed, I had no idea just how awful they were and what these poor women had to endure. The trauma so many experienced with gruelling labours and their babies stolen from them.
I loved the way the author intertwined all the characters and how it all came together in the end. It was a page turner in wanting to see how it all played out. The different POV’s were well done and were easy to follow. The character development was well done, so well done that I felt like I was there with them.
It would have been a 5 star from me but the authors threw in Covid and lockdowns and that’s when she lost me. I read to forget about things like Covid and have zero interest seeing it in books. While I understand it was written during Covid which is why I’m sure it was included I would have preferred not to read anything more about that time (just my personal opinion)
I would absolutely recommend as the rest of the book was amazing and I’m looking forward to reading others by this author.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I will be honest and say I didn’t read the description so I had no idea what I was getting into. This isn’t a typical book that I would normally choose and for that I am grateful to have been able to read and review it.
It was such a powerful and emotional take on pregnancy, motherhood and the history of how unwed mothers were treated in earlier years.
While I have always know these mother/baby places existed, I had no idea just how awful they were and what these poor women had to endure. The trauma so many experienced with gruelling labours and their babies stolen from them.
I loved the way the author intertwined all the characters and how it all came together in the end. It was a page turner in wanting to see how it all played out. The different POV’s were well done and were easy to follow. The character development was well done, so well done that I felt like I was there with them.
It would have been a 5 star from me but the authors threw in Covid and lockdowns and that’s when she lost me. I read to forget about things like Covid and have zero interest seeing it in books. While I understand it was written during Covid which is why I’m sure it was included I would have preferred not to read anything more about that time (just my personal opinion)
I would absolutely recommend as the rest of the book was amazing and I’m looking forward to reading others by this author.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
January 18, 2023
Un bel romanzo corale che vede come protagoniste delle donne che stanno vivendo la loro maternità in modi diversi.
Il personaggio più combattuto è Tess perché si trova in una situazione molto difficile. Non voglio spoilerare, per cui non scenderò nei dettagli, ma mi sono chiesta che cosa avrei fatto al suo posto e non sono riuscita a trovare una risposta.
E poi c'è Maeve a cui hanno fatto vivere la gravidanza in modo molto pesante perché la cattolicissima Irlanda non è disposta ad accettare che una donna non sposata possa restare incinta. Di lei ho ammirato il coraggio e la determinazione e il suo non lasciarsi mai scoraggiare dalle avversità
Ci sarebbe poi da parlare di Eileen, di Aimee, di Betty, ma perché togliervi il piacere della lettura?
L'unico appunto che ho da fare riguarda il modo in cui i vari personaggi sono interconnessi fra loro. Le coincidenze sono troppe per essere credibili e fanno pensare che l'Irlanda sia un paesino di provincia dove tutti si conoscono. A mio parere non ci sarebbe stato bisogno di creare tutti questi legami, la storia avrebbe potuto funzionare benissimo anche se alcuni personaggi non fossero stati collegati agli altri. A parte questo aspetto consiglio assolutamente la lettura che non potrà che appassionare.
Il personaggio più combattuto è Tess perché si trova in una situazione molto difficile. Non voglio spoilerare, per cui non scenderò nei dettagli, ma mi sono chiesta che cosa avrei fatto al suo posto e non sono riuscita a trovare una risposta.
E poi c'è Maeve a cui hanno fatto vivere la gravidanza in modo molto pesante perché la cattolicissima Irlanda non è disposta ad accettare che una donna non sposata possa restare incinta. Di lei ho ammirato il coraggio e la determinazione e il suo non lasciarsi mai scoraggiare dalle avversità
Ci sarebbe poi da parlare di Eileen, di Aimee, di Betty, ma perché togliervi il piacere della lettura?
L'unico appunto che ho da fare riguarda il modo in cui i vari personaggi sono interconnessi fra loro. Le coincidenze sono troppe per essere credibili e fanno pensare che l'Irlanda sia un paesino di provincia dove tutti si conoscono. A mio parere non ci sarebbe stato bisogno di creare tutti questi legami, la storia avrebbe potuto funzionare benissimo anche se alcuni personaggi non fossero stati collegati agli altri. A parte questo aspetto consiglio assolutamente la lettura che non potrà che appassionare.
July 29, 2024
This was fine, but considering the subject matter I found it surprisingly boring. The dialogue was sometimes cheesy, and there were too many coincidences linking the two women. There were also too many characters for my tired brain, and one character who I kept forgetting about, which goes to show how interesting or essential she was.
Overall, a disappointing read.
November 27, 2022
Un romanzo avvincente che indaga tutti i possibili modi di essere madre..
April 8, 2026
A very emotional book, with a lot of interwoven relationships which you need to keep on top of during the book but all comes together in the end.
Again not a happy book but I found it hard to put down
Again not a happy book but I found it hard to put down
July 10, 2024
Non è facile seguire le storie delle vite dei personaggi che continuano ad intrecciarsi
L'autrice ci pone di fronte a una realtà così retrograda da lasciare sbalorditi
L'autrice ci pone di fronte a una realtà così retrograda da lasciare sbalorditi
June 16, 2024
This book, set in Ireland, follows 3 generations of girls & women (one just 14 years old) who were forcibly institutionalized due to their status as unwed mothers.
The girls’ stories are interwoven throughout the book, beginning with their time in the cruel Mother and Baby Homes, to their subsequent struggles and healing later in life.
______
My thoughts: Wow! This is a compelling, addictive multigenerational story of women surviving and then thriving in the face of immense trauma and hardship. The story is told through beautiful, almost poetic writing. If I highlighted every sentence I wanted to, I’d be highlighting most of the page.
I loved the multiple POVs and timelines! Dunne masterfully writes each character’s story and timeline in a such a way that I never got lost or confused as to who was who or what was going on. I fell in love with and was rooting for every FMC! Their stories are slowly woven together through generations until we end up with the full tragic, but also uplifting picture.
I personally identified with some of the trauma the FMCs experienced, and loved the focus on women’s empowerment and survival throughout the novel. Each FMC is strong, and their persistence through their struggles was inspiring.
The book ends with an afterword detailing the factual basis of the novel, making it so much more impactful. This is a must read!
*Topics in this book are heavy, so please keep the content warnings in mind before reading
Big thanks to NeGalley & Betime books for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!
The girls’ stories are interwoven throughout the book, beginning with their time in the cruel Mother and Baby Homes, to their subsequent struggles and healing later in life.
______
My thoughts: Wow! This is a compelling, addictive multigenerational story of women surviving and then thriving in the face of immense trauma and hardship. The story is told through beautiful, almost poetic writing. If I highlighted every sentence I wanted to, I’d be highlighting most of the page.
I loved the multiple POVs and timelines! Dunne masterfully writes each character’s story and timeline in a such a way that I never got lost or confused as to who was who or what was going on. I fell in love with and was rooting for every FMC! Their stories are slowly woven together through generations until we end up with the full tragic, but also uplifting picture.
I personally identified with some of the trauma the FMCs experienced, and loved the focus on women’s empowerment and survival throughout the novel. Each FMC is strong, and their persistence through their struggles was inspiring.
The book ends with an afterword detailing the factual basis of the novel, making it so much more impactful. This is a must read!
*Topics in this book are heavy, so please keep the content warnings in mind before reading
Big thanks to NeGalley & Betime books for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!
June 23, 2024
This is one of the books that make me feel like I've been cheated after I finish reading.
From the very beginning, I was captivated by each character's story arc, the author's ability to set every time period apart from the rest through social norms and used language was admirable. This is actually the reason why reading many POVs wasn't confusing as usual with this style. After two sentences, you could easily grasp which character was talking.
I also liked how the main point was the same in all timelines. In one way or another, all the stories revolved around motherhood, either with how a character became a mother or how they were navigating the dynamic of parent and child.
The reason I felt cheated was the ending. After reading the whole thing, being invested in all the characters and rooting for them, it just suddenly wrapped up. I was left questioning what the purpose was in the first place.
It supposedly tied it all together and showed the link between all characters, but it didn't really offer an.... Ending?
Like, okay. Everything and everyone are connected to each other, what next?
It basically resembled a story with a beginning, middle, and no ending, which was frustrating to me.
However, all in all, it was a good book, emotional, ensnaring, and definitely well written.
*I received an ARC of this book through netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review*
From the very beginning, I was captivated by each character's story arc, the author's ability to set every time period apart from the rest through social norms and used language was admirable. This is actually the reason why reading many POVs wasn't confusing as usual with this style. After two sentences, you could easily grasp which character was talking.
I also liked how the main point was the same in all timelines. In one way or another, all the stories revolved around motherhood, either with how a character became a mother or how they were navigating the dynamic of parent and child.
The reason I felt cheated was the ending. After reading the whole thing, being invested in all the characters and rooting for them, it just suddenly wrapped up. I was left questioning what the purpose was in the first place.
It supposedly tied it all together and showed the link between all characters, but it didn't really offer an.... Ending?
Like, okay. Everything and everyone are connected to each other, what next?
It basically resembled a story with a beginning, middle, and no ending, which was frustrating to me.
However, all in all, it was a good book, emotional, ensnaring, and definitely well written.
*I received an ARC of this book through netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review*
June 22, 2024
A Good Enough Mother is a gripping and emotional novel that starts with an ordinary encounter in a Dublin café. On a winter afternoon, two women, Tess and Maeve, meet, setting off a series of events that will change their lives.
Maeve approaches Tess with urgent information about Tess's younger son, Luke. Though Tess feels an odd familiarity with Maeve, she can’t place her in her memories. As Maeve’s story unfolds, Tess’s sense of security and her family’s safety begin to unravel, drawing her into a web of emotions and revelations.
The narrative weaves together the lives of mothers and children, creating a story like a patchwork quilt. This book handles sensitive topics, including sexual assault and the removal of children, with great care and compassion. The book validates the feelings and experiences of the women involved, providing a respectful exploration of these tough themes.
While this is not my usual type of read, I found this book compelling, well written, and the plot is very engaging, making it a standout novel. The authors skill in addressing potentially triggering topics ensures that readers can navigate these difficult subjects with understanding and empathy.
A Good Enough Mother is a powerful and thought-provoking read that stays with you long after you finish it.
Thank you to NetGalley, author Catherine Dunne, and Betimes Books for the eARC.
Maeve approaches Tess with urgent information about Tess's younger son, Luke. Though Tess feels an odd familiarity with Maeve, she can’t place her in her memories. As Maeve’s story unfolds, Tess’s sense of security and her family’s safety begin to unravel, drawing her into a web of emotions and revelations.
The narrative weaves together the lives of mothers and children, creating a story like a patchwork quilt. This book handles sensitive topics, including sexual assault and the removal of children, with great care and compassion. The book validates the feelings and experiences of the women involved, providing a respectful exploration of these tough themes.
While this is not my usual type of read, I found this book compelling, well written, and the plot is very engaging, making it a standout novel. The authors skill in addressing potentially triggering topics ensures that readers can navigate these difficult subjects with understanding and empathy.
A Good Enough Mother is a powerful and thought-provoking read that stays with you long after you finish it.
Thank you to NetGalley, author Catherine Dunne, and Betimes Books for the eARC.
June 2, 2024
A Good Enough Mother takes the reader on a journey through different times and various people's lives, all interwoven. It explores themes such as mother and baby home in Ireland, trauma (including generational), consent and unjust shame and the affect these themes have on the character's lives.
Content warning: book includes references to sexual assault and children being removed.
Whilst not my typical read, I thought this book was really good! Easy writing style to read and interesting as a book and plot. It handled potentially triggering topics well . In particular, the book enabled the triggering topics to validated (rather than dismissed) the feelings and experiences of the women.
Thank you Betimes Books for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
#AGoodEnoughMother #NetGalley
Content warning: book includes references to sexual assault and children being removed.
Whilst not my typical read, I thought this book was really good! Easy writing style to read and interesting as a book and plot. It handled potentially triggering topics well . In particular, the book enabled the triggering topics to validated (rather than dismissed) the feelings and experiences of the women.
Thank you Betimes Books for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
#AGoodEnoughMother #NetGalley
October 24, 2024
Catherine Dunne captures the tragic lives that so many young women and girls we sentenced to by a patriarchal system that dehumanized. Catherine introduces the reader the the harsh regime that placed girls and young women in mother and baby homes where they were mistreated and reviled by those who were charged with their well being.
We meet a number of strong women who support each other despite the obstacles and challenges put in their way and we also learn of the efforts to break the cycle of mistreatment and abuse that was meted out.
This is a moving, sad, horrific and inspiring tale that reflects changing attitudes over time.
We meet a number of strong women who support each other despite the obstacles and challenges put in their way and we also learn of the efforts to break the cycle of mistreatment and abuse that was meted out.
This is a moving, sad, horrific and inspiring tale that reflects changing attitudes over time.
October 25, 2024
I really enjoyed all of the different viewpoints, however it made it really hard at times to figure out which story I was following and where I was in the timeline. I cannot even begin to imagine what these women went through being institutionalized when they became pregnant unwed. The fact that their children were ripped from them and often sold made this so much worse to imagine. There was a lot of emotion in the stories, but I really wish that there would have been less jumping around. I know why the author did it, but it was very ineffective in many parts. I would definitely love to read more from this author in the future. Thanks for the ARC, NetGalley.
June 21, 2024
I was looking forward to a new book by Catherine Dunne, whom I have long admired, but this one exceeded all expectations. Its complex structure kept my attention alive at all times, unfolding as it does into an extremely interesting slice of social history narrated in Dunne's elegant writing. Every character comes alive like in a very good movie (in fact, I can see a great film or TV series there...). Overall, this is an excellent read, full of empathy and compassion but devoid of sentimentality. I couldn't recommend it more.
January 24, 2025
Good read. I found there were two many time zones and too many narrators, I found it hard at times to remember who was who. It was also a little predictable in spots. However the story pulled you in as you wanted to find out what happened to these women. It was one of those books you don’t want to put down. It was also shocking to me that these Mother and Baby Homes were still operating in 1979 and beyond. I did my Leaving Cert in 1979! This happened to girls my age. Overall, I enjoyed it and would recommend.
June 11, 2024
Catherine Dunne’s storytelling is spellbinding. I have not been drawn to another novel so emotionally all year.
A Good Enough Mother explores the lives of Irish women, young and old, forced into Mother and Baby homes and the cruel reality of what went on behind closed doors. Abandoned by their families, with little hope, they navigate adulthood in this intimate and honest story from an author who blew me away with each chapter.
October 29, 2024
Picked this book on a whim, hoping to redeem my view of kindle unlimited and it worked. It was a tough read in a lot of places but mostly serves as a huge reminder of the privileges we now have, that we often take for granted especially the freedom to make choices about our own lives, bodies, and futures.
Glad the author focused on the strong female characters and minimised the airtime and detail around the numerous rapes.
Glad the author focused on the strong female characters and minimised the airtime and detail around the numerous rapes.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 31, 2024
intertwinings plots about hardships of women proceed to show us how said women may do their best to not fail miserably in parenting and still fail miserably. honorable mentions be "she wanted to say no but didn't know how so pregnancy" and "they knew their child had special needs and still let her be alone with generic boys so pregnancy". even considering all that's happened to girls is horrible, the book left me with a feeling of "what else could've happened really"
January 29, 2025
The word that comes to mind with this book is mild,which is surprising, because it addresses important issues: motherhood,rape, the Homes in Ireland,family dynamics,etc.so it should be powerful, but it isn´t. There´s no depth to it, neither in the plot nor in the characters,and it ends up being predictable,clichéd and boring. The only interesting character is Betty.Readable,well written, glimpses of something better, so an extra star. 6/10
October 23, 2024
I wanted to like this book more than I did. I found the endless over and back of times extremely confusing. It was not an easy book to read, and not an enjoyable book. Parts of it were way too vague.
Happy just to complete it.
Only one star from me (and that's because some of the characters were likeable) sadly not worth any more than 1 star.
Happy just to complete it.
Only one star from me (and that's because some of the characters were likeable) sadly not worth any more than 1 star.
June 1, 2024
This was ok. I think all of the time jumping and the amount of POVs threw me off, and I was not expecting the book based on the summary I received.
Overall decent book, nothing overtly wrong, just not the one for me right now.
Overall decent book, nothing overtly wrong, just not the one for me right now.
July 7, 2024
A truly moving account of pain and injustice while trying to cope despite it all... Tears will flow! It will pull at your heart strings and you'll need to pay attention as the characters weave their lives and interconnections are unveiled... It's a fabulous book. I loved it.
July 21, 2024
A good enough book. Learned a lot about a darker side of Irish culture but found some of the writing to lack clarity/had to re-read a few sentences or sections a few times because I didn't feel the author had the best grasp of alternating timelines.
November 19, 2024
Heartwarming
In the face of scary and trying times for women, a very true to life story with relatable elements for us all. Maybe I finished this on a good day because a 5* is rare for me, but, I liked this. I liked it a lot.
In the face of scary and trying times for women, a very true to life story with relatable elements for us all. Maybe I finished this on a good day because a 5* is rare for me, but, I liked this. I liked it a lot.
February 19, 2025
Loved this book! If you enjoy a different perspective every chapter this is for you. Interwoven loves of women in Ireland who had babies before they were married. Spread across generations the stories all come together with strong women overcoming the odds.
May 16, 2026
Ho trovato il racconto un po confuso e incompleto.
Alcune situazioni sono citate, ma non spiegate, mentre altre, tra cui la principale, rimane irrisolta.
Tuttavia, ho apprezzato tanto la denuncia agli istituti per ragazze madri dell’Irlanda.
Alcune situazioni sono citate, ma non spiegate, mentre altre, tra cui la principale, rimane irrisolta.
Tuttavia, ho apprezzato tanto la denuncia agli istituti per ragazze madri dell’Irlanda.
June 30, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley for giving me the option to write and review this book. I fell in love with it!
This author did an amazing job painting a picture throughout the entire story. She kept you engaged in each persons life, as if it were a friend or family member.
Nice, very easy read. I like the way the author took you through different storylines, and the way she blended them together at the end.
Definitely will recommend to others!
This author did an amazing job painting a picture throughout the entire story. She kept you engaged in each persons life, as if it were a friend or family member.
Nice, very easy read. I like the way the author took you through different storylines, and the way she blended them together at the end.
Definitely will recommend to others!
July 1, 2024
Very good read about the journey of motherhood.
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