Like Mother, Like Mother: A Novel
An enthralling novel about three generations of strong-willed women, unknowingly shaped by the secrets buried in their family’s past.
“What a delight! Like Mother, Like Mother is sharp, fun, and witty.”—Ann Napolitano, bestselling author of Hello Beautiful
“A sprawling family saga, briskly told with the lightest of touches and an often-surprising sense of humor.”—Rumaan Alam, bestselling author of Leave the World Behind
A VOGUE BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR
Detroit, 1960. Lila Pereira is two years old when her angry, abusive father has her mother committed to an asylum. Lila never sees her mother again. Three decades later, having mustered everything she has—brains, charm, talent, blond hair—Lila rises to the pinnacle of American media as the powerful, brilliant executive editor of The Washington Globe. Lila unapologetically prioritizes her career, leaving the rearing of her daughters to her generous husband, Joe. He doesn’t mind—until he does.
But Grace, their youngest daughter, feels abandoned. She wishes her mother would attend PTA meetings, not White House correspondents’ dinners. As she grows up, she cannot shake her resentment. She wants out from under Lila’s shadow, yet the more she resists, the more Lila seems to shape her life. Grace becomes a successful reporter, even publishing a bestselling book about her mother. In the process of writing it, she realizes how little she knows about her own family. Did Lila’s mother, Grace’s grandmother, die in that asylum? Is refusal to look back the only way to create a future? How can you ever be yourself, Grace wonders, if you don’t know where you came from?
Spanning generations, and populated by complex, unforgettable characters, Like Mother, Like Mother is an exhilarating, portrait of family, marriage, ambition, power, the stories we inherit, and the lies we tell to become the people we believe we’re meant to be.
“What a delight! Like Mother, Like Mother is sharp, fun, and witty.”—Ann Napolitano, bestselling author of Hello Beautiful
“A sprawling family saga, briskly told with the lightest of touches and an often-surprising sense of humor.”—Rumaan Alam, bestselling author of Leave the World Behind
A VOGUE BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR
Detroit, 1960. Lila Pereira is two years old when her angry, abusive father has her mother committed to an asylum. Lila never sees her mother again. Three decades later, having mustered everything she has—brains, charm, talent, blond hair—Lila rises to the pinnacle of American media as the powerful, brilliant executive editor of The Washington Globe. Lila unapologetically prioritizes her career, leaving the rearing of her daughters to her generous husband, Joe. He doesn’t mind—until he does.
But Grace, their youngest daughter, feels abandoned. She wishes her mother would attend PTA meetings, not White House correspondents’ dinners. As she grows up, she cannot shake her resentment. She wants out from under Lila’s shadow, yet the more she resists, the more Lila seems to shape her life. Grace becomes a successful reporter, even publishing a bestselling book about her mother. In the process of writing it, she realizes how little she knows about her own family. Did Lila’s mother, Grace’s grandmother, die in that asylum? Is refusal to look back the only way to create a future? How can you ever be yourself, Grace wonders, if you don’t know where you came from?
Spanning generations, and populated by complex, unforgettable characters, Like Mother, Like Mother is an exhilarating, portrait of family, marriage, ambition, power, the stories we inherit, and the lies we tell to become the people we believe we’re meant to be.
BUY THE BOOK
Community Reviews
I was hooked from the beginning. The storytelling and order of events was so well thought out.
I enjoyed the first half of the book more than the second half. There was so much build up and anticipation in finding Zelda but the second half of the book was focused on an in depth look at Grace and Ruth’s life post Lila’s death. There wasn’t a culmination or anything that really ties together as to why we needed to know all that information. My best guess is that the point is that they grew and lived and outgrew and outlived the past. Maybe the point is that they lived wonderful lives. A little too cliché that they married twins and I felt Grace’s romance with Xander was a bit forced. I cared more about her investigating and writing and her career than her relationship, seemed random. Also weird that everyone seemed to end up with partners just like Joe. It felt like the underlying message was successful women need submissive house husbands. A little too on the nose.
Also, Grace in the end ended up putting herself in a box of I’m thorny, I’m like Lila, I won’t be a good mother. She shared a lot in common with Lila but she was different her own person. It would have made more sense for her to have struggled with self doubt and then overcame and came to her own conclusions about life. There was no forward thinking in that way, that her life would be what she would make of it. That seemed a resounding theme as well that the past made each who they were good bad or indifferent. What about the choice to become who you wish to be. Grace didn’t really make peace with herself imo.
Also the authors disdain for Trump and Musk was palpable. Webb was an obvious allusion to Trump and she mentioned Musk multiple times calling him the Tesla guy. Webb I get, Musk I don’t. It felt like the author’s personal political leanings were inserted in an otherwise great novel.
I would say I wanted more from the ending. The author spent so much time building up the suspense and way too much time wasted on Ruth and Grace. I wanted so much more for Zelda’s discovery. Not Kumbaya, but maybe a few hoops to jump through to find her and I wanted Grace to jump through them. The Aldo interview was so underwhelming!!! They spend sooo much time talking about how terrible he was only to talk to him for 5 minutes was ridiculous. I do like that Zelda was just like Lila in the end, like mother, like mother was the perfect title and tied in perfectly to the scene. I would have liked more of a reckoning for Aldo, more from that scene from Zelda. I do like that she made no apologies. I would have liked a more intense scene emotionally. As what’s with Grace constantly coming to the conclusion that it was all terrible and it was her fault and she should just left it. Just shut up and own it and be proud that you did something. Again so much build up and I was reading feverishly by that point and it was literally at the very end of the book.
Great writing, good storytelling, the plot I’m mixed on but I enjoyed it immensely.
thenextgoodbook.com
What’s it about?
This is a multigenerational novel about strong women.
What did it make me think about?
How both family and family secrets shape us.
Should I read it?
Well, I am a sucker for a novel that makes me smile. This novel is both funny and poignant. Susan Reiger writes some very vivid characters. These are characters that I just grew to like more and more as the book went on. Lila was especially memorable. Plus, it was refreshing to read a story with some really strong friendships in the plot. Maybe it was my mood, but I was sorry to see this story end.
Quote-
“She liked him. He had no edge. He liked her. She was all edge.”
***Really more of a 4 1/2 for me.
What’s it about?
This is a multigenerational novel about strong women.
What did it make me think about?
How both family and family secrets shape us.
Should I read it?
Well, I am a sucker for a novel that makes me smile. This novel is both funny and poignant. Susan Reiger writes some very vivid characters. These are characters that I just grew to like more and more as the book went on. Lila was especially memorable. Plus, it was refreshing to read a story with some really strong friendships in the plot. Maybe it was my mood, but I was sorry to see this story end.
Quote-
“She liked him. He had no edge. He liked her. She was all edge.”
***Really more of a 4 1/2 for me.
Lila is an interesting character. She was abandoned by her mother when her abusive father sent her to an asylum. Her father continually beats her up until she has finally reached her limit and moved out. When she marries, she does not want children and explains she doesn't know what it means to mother children. She remains obsessed with work and ignores her three daughters. The youngest, Grace, feels particularly left one since the older two are close in age and have each other for support.
The parts about Grace and Ruth are not as compelling and I felt lost here. Where is this story going? Grace writes a novel loosely based on her life and her distant mother. After she dies, Lila leaves a message for Grace to look for what happened to her mother, Zelda. Did she die as the father said, or is she still alive somewhere?
The parts about Grace and Ruth are not as compelling and I felt lost here. Where is this story going? Grace writes a novel loosely based on her life and her distant mother. After she dies, Lila leaves a message for Grace to look for what happened to her mother, Zelda. Did she die as the father said, or is she still alive somewhere?
"Like Mother, Like Mother" - A Must-Read Family Saga...
Susan Rieger's "Like Mother, Like Mother" is a masterfully crafted novel that explores the intricate tapestry of family relationships, the weight of secrets, and the enduring power of truth. The story follows Grace Maier, a young journalist, as she embarks on a quest to uncover the truth about her missing grandmother, Zelda, inspired by a cryptic letter from her late mother, Lila Pereira.
The narrative unfolds across multiple timelines and perspectives, seamlessly weaving together the stories of three generations of women: Zelda, Lila, and Grace. Each woman grapples with her own set of challenges, from Zelda's troubled marriage to Aldo, a domineering and abusive man, to Lila's rise to success as a renowned newspaper editor while navigating the complexities of motherhood. Grace, seeking to make sense of her family's past, finds herself drawn into a world of hidden truths and painful revelations.
Rieger's writing is captivating, drawing the reader into the lives of her characters with vivid descriptions and sharp dialogue. The pacing is perfect, building suspense as Grace peels back layers of family history, uncovering shocking secrets that have shaped the lives of those she loves most.
The novel is particularly insightful in its portrayal of mother-daughter relationships. The bond between Lila and Grace is complex and often strained, marked by both love and resentment. As Grace digs deeper into her family's past, she gains a new understanding of her mother's choices and the sacrifices she made.
"Like Mother, Like Mother" is more than just a compelling mystery; it's a moving exploration of identity, belonging, and the search for truth. Grace's journey to uncover the truth about Zelda becomes intertwined with her own quest for self-discovery. She must confront not only the secrets of her family's past but also the complexities of her own relationships and the choices that lie ahead.
Highly recommended for readers who enjoy:
Family sagas with compelling characters and intricate storylines
Mysteries with a strong emotional core
Novels that explore the complexities of mother-daughter relationships
Stories about the lasting impact of the past on the present
I loved this book! It's a page-turner that will stay with you long after you finish reading.
The full Deep Dive review of this book can be watched from our YouTube channel...
https://youtu.be/Njtw4B9G864
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