The Mother Act is a novel written as a six act play imbued with the atmospheric theater world. It is a compelling exploration of what it means to be a mother when you have aspirations to be and do so much more. What is the price of self-fulfillment at the expense of those you vowed to cherish and care for; or of abandonment and how that shapes self-image? And what happens, not only when you choose a path that is unconventional and hurtful to others, but you decide to share intimate details of that decision with the public?

My reaction when reading this book was physical. My heart was pounding as if I was reading a thriller. And a way this was. Family drama can sometimes turn into a symbolic blood bath — there are a myriad of ways to inflict harm on those we supposedly love. I clearly was on Jude, the daughter’s team. Sadie was a difficult person to connect with. But many of us have made concessions that she would not abide. Maybe Sadie, despite her often self serving behavior, was brave and we wished we had some of that bravado.

The story:

Sadie ran away from a traditional, religious family and their expectations when she was 17. She had a larger than life personality and fulfilled her dream to live large and out loud. She became an actress and controversial feminist. Sadie never wanted to be a mother. In fact, she went to great lengths to make sure this would never happen. But then she had a change of heart and Jude was born.

When Jude was two, Sadie left her with her father and never made an attempt to connect with her for six years. After that, there were sporadic, brief visits. Jude grew up with her actor father and spent her childhood touring with his Shakespearean company desperate for a real relationship with her mother. That was not to happen. Sadie becomes famous for her one woman play revealing her rage in caring for her baby. As an adult, Jude becomes a successful actress in her own right.

As you can imagine, there is a reckoning worthy of the two women.

The book raises issues of feminism, motherhood, self-identity, and ambition. There is so much to think about. I would highly recommend it as a book club pick.

Many thanks to Netgalley and Penguin Random House for the opportunity to read this advance reading copy.

I love and miss the theatre. This book indulged my craving for the acting life and plays. Reimer wrote a great mother-daughter story that had dual POV. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

The mother act follows a mother and daughter complicated relationship in the backdrop of the theater world.

If you want a story with a complex mother and daughter relationship than you have found it. This story follows a dual pov from Sadie (mother) and Jude (daughter). The story was beautifully woven together until it reaches the present. This debut was well written, an easy read and doing a deep dive into complex mother and daughter relationship's. It shined light on what people would do for fame and who would they leave behind

Wow. If you like in-depth character studies, this one is excellent. Sadie and Jude have been estranged their entire relationship. Sadie is a feminist who loudly declared at her one woman show that she never wanted to be a mother. Years later Jude is now also a successful actress attending her mother’s new play. Tension and resentment has always run high between these two. I love a family drama and this one is so good! Mother and daughter relationships are often fraught, but this one takes it to a new level. Highly recommend.

Not for me unfortunately; I think I will pass on this for our collection as it just didn't really stand out to me. Nothing new here that I haven't seen before.

Sadie Jones, a dazzling and controversial feminist icon, takes center stage in this emotionally charged narrative that delves into the complexities of motherhood and the pursuit of artistic greatness. In "The Mother Act," author Heidi Reimer skillfully weaves a tale that spans two decades, exploring the intricate relationship between Sadie and her daughter, Jude.

Sadie's larger-than-life persona and her resolute decision to forgo motherhood set the stage for a story that unfolds with profound emotional depth. Jude, the daughter left in the wake of Sadie's ambitions, spends her childhood yearning for acknowledgment and validation from a mother who remains elusive. Sadie's meteoric rise to fame, fueled by her provocative one-woman show, "The Mother Act," thrusts her into the spotlight as a symbol of maternal rage, leaving Jude to grapple with the aftermath.

As the narrative unfolds, the tension between mother and daughter comes to a head on a December evening in the heart of New York City, during the premiere of Sadie's latest play. The stage is set for a poignant exploration of love, resentment, and profound misunderstanding. The intertwined stories of Sadie and Jude unravel, laying bare the raw emotions and unanswered questions that have lingered for years.

"The Mother Act" poses thought-provoking questions about the costs of being a devoted mother and a devoted artist. Reimer skillfully navigates the complexities of Sadie's unapologetic pursuit of greatness and Jude's yearning for maternal connection. The narrative prompts readers to reflect on who gets to decide if the collateral damage is justified in the pursuit of personal and artistic fulfillment.

This novel is a riveting and emotionally charged exploration of the intersections between motherhood and art, leaving readers with a lingering resonance that speaks to the universal struggles of love, ambition, and the choices that shape our lives. "The Mother Act" is a compelling read that dives deep into the human experience, offering a nuanced portrayal of the sacrifices made in the pursuit of passion and the enduring bonds that tie mothers and daughters together.

DO YOU LOVE COMPLICATED MOTHER/DAUGHTER RELATIONSHIPS?! Me too!

okay, this one was so good. I loved the dynamic between Sadie and Jude, the fact that she was raised by her father (so often fathers abandon the children) and her mother is so selfish and self centered that she can’t even comprehend why leaving her daughter was uncalled for. The story is written from Jude and Sadie’s perspectives, woven together until they meet in the present day. Holy cannoli- talk about a modern day stance on motherhood, empowerment, generational trauma, and the expectations put on us to be mothers.

Well written, easy read and just so so so well done.