Mother, Mother: A Novel
From Koren Zailckas, author of the iconic memoir SMASHED: an electrifying debut novel about a family being torn apart by the woman who claims to love them most
Josephine Hurst has her family under control. With two beautiful daughters, a brilliantly intelligent son, a tech-guru of a husband, and a historical landmark home, her life is picture perfect. But living in this matriarch’s determinedly cheerful, yet subtly controlling domain hasn’t been easy for her family, and when her oldest daughter, Rose, runs off with a mysterious boyfriend, Josephine tightens her grip, gradually turning her flawless home into a darker sort of prison.
Resentful of her sister’s newfound freedom, Violet turns to eastern philosophy, hallucinogenic drugs, and extreme fasting, eventually landing herself in a psych ward. Meanwhile, her brother, Will, recently diagnosed with Asperger's, shrinks further into a world of self-doubt. Their father, Douglas, finds resolve in the bottom of a bottle—an addict craving his own chance to escape. Josephine struggles to maintain the family’s impeccable façade, but when a violent incident leads to a visit from child protective services, the truth about the Hursts might finally be revealed.
Now with Extra Libris material, including a reader’s guide and bonus content
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Community Reviews
Lots of insight on what a psycho mastermind manipulator gaslighter narcissist mother is like. Every character is so painstakingly toxic that it makes me want to twist each one of their heads off. But it does keep the book dramatic lol. Plot twist at end threw me off a bit in not the best way. More in a confusing way than an OMG way. But the buildup was a little entertaining. When revenge is achieved at the end, there isn’t that vengeful satisfaction which disappointed me the most because the bad guy (the mom) doesn’t feel guilt shame or embarrassment. Even her stupid immature son pisses me off because he’s such a big momma’s boy.
