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
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.
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.
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Community Reviews
"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
This book has complex issues that are perfect for a discussion group (as you can see from my struggle bonding with one of the characters!).
When Lila and her siblings were young, their mother was institutionalized by her abusive husband Aldo. He later claimed she died. The children became his punching bag, finding no solace from their grandmother.
Lila realizes her life will only get better if she creates a new version of it. She marries Joe, who adores her and gives her space to grow. With talent and hard work, Lila becomes a journalist and eventually makes it to the top of her field as Executive Editor of the The Washington Globe.
Joe wants children, but Lila’s had no model of a home life from which she could draw. She didn’t envision motherhood as her path. Lila’s abusive father instilled in her a different kind of fight. She tells a friend that Aldo’s father beat him, and he thought it made a man of him. “I suppose it made a man of me, too,” Lila says. However this might be interpreted, one thing this story demonstrates is that Lila follows a career path of a typical executive who lives at the office and misses her kid’s milestones. Joe is the parent who is home for dinner each night. This arrangement is accepted when the roles are reversed. But. Lila’s youngest daughter, Grace, resents Lila for never being home.
Grace carries a notebook recording her mother’s comments. She later publishes an unflattering tell all, timing the release to overshadow one of Lila’s big events. Grace’s sisters tell her she is holding their mother to a different standard than men in the same situation, and Lila never seems to take offense or criticize. She even helps Grace meet her professional goals. This paints Grace in an even more unflattering light than she has already painted herself, if that’s possible.
This book is a study in a double standard that is pervasive in the workplace. Her husband and the men with whom Lila works are her champions. The pushback comes from a female child, who is jealous and resentful, willing to shame her mother publicly for not conforming to her antiquated biases. Grace, petty and selfish, is such an unlikeable character, it felt tortured at times getting through some chapters.
It’s likely many with sympathize with Grace, might feel they have been in her shoes. As the saying goes, there is no excuse for bad behavior. This is the standard that’s being applied here. After all, standard setting, whether fair or not, is a theme.
Many thanks to Random House Publishing—Random House and NetGalley for providing this eARC.
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