While it took me a long time to read this one, I really sat with each of the essays. Mullins evaluates mothers in famous literature in a very thoughtful manner. I really enjoyed most of the essays - though admittedly I liked the ones describing work I had already read a lot more. I found it a bit hard to finish the essays on pieces I hadn't actually read yet. If you haven't read a lot of classic literature, this one may not be for you. But if you are wondering how we got here and how we evaluate women and mothers, *and* enjoy literature, this is a book for you.

The good: the author CITES HER SOURCES. I mean, notes and bibliography. She also has an exceptionally clear eye in sizing up the significance of actions in literature, that is, what's going on and what it means, why the author told us. And she calls out both Nixon and Reagan for screwing parents and children over even when there was bipartisan support for child development funding.

The not-so-good: If you haven't read the books in question (or at least seen the movies), I'm not sure the arguments will resonate as much. I hadn't read Mrs. Bridge or Harry Potter (yes, not all Millennials read HP) and those chapters fell flat for me. And frankly, I just didn't enjoy all of the author's asides about her own children, although I understand the meaningfulness of her being able to make them.

Also, we get a pretty full description of the The Millstone by Margaret Drabble in the introduction, and then again in chapter 13. I realize the latter was probably written some time before the former, but an editor (such as myself) would have caught that.

The bad: the defense of Kristen Roupenian's "Cat Person" story is flat out wrong: "Roupenian was eventually forced to admit that she’d taken some details from her own life to use in the story, putting her in league with most fiction writers, including Tolstoy, Proust, and Dickens." But Roupenian didn't take details from her own life, she took the story of ANOTHER WOMAN'S life--her ex-boyfriend's previous girlfriend, naming the locations of the woman's school, work, and dates with the man in question so that everyone who knew them recognized it was them. Read Alexis Nowicki's Slate article to see how blindsided and humiliated they were. And the sensitive, depressed ex-boyfriend of both women died "suddenly" after the story went viral. So Roupenian is not a victim in the tale--she's apparently the villain. Just like JK Rowling, by the way--why are we having academic discussion of her work when there are plenty of other authors who aren't being rage monsters on Twitter?

Anyway. Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to review a temporary digital ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.

This book examines representations of motherhood in novels ranging from Pride and Prejudice all the way to Harry Potter. I really enjoyed this throughout but thought the discussion of the more recent works felt relatable to modern motherhood. It didn’t just focus on mothers but also on womanhood in general and that fact caused some digressions. Overall, I found this informative and entertaining. Received a digital copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley.

A surprisingly beautiful read, I learned a lot from this book.

At first, I was very skeptical that I would relate to Mullins' topic since I am not a mother myself, but this ended up being an enjoyable dive into the female experience as seen through the lens of literature. I found myself highlighting multiple lines, and nodding in agreement with the aspects of humanity explored.
It was fascinating to consider how the depiction of the mother figure in important literary works has shaped our expectations of mothers, and women today.

I would recommend giving this a go, you won't be disappointed. It took me a bit to get into, but then I was hooked.

I enjoyed the author’s analysis of a handful of favorite/beloved mothers in literature. I have read most of the books she refers to but not all. I did not think this necessarily detracted from my appreciation of her critiques but I did notice that the analysis of the characters with which I was most familiar seemed to make the most sense to me.

The book was (rightly so) kind of a downer. The author obviously has a liberal bias which I’m fine with but some readers may not like. The book is a timely reflection on mothers in the workplace needing childcare; motherhood’s mental load; and abortion access among other issues - all things not going too well for women right now in history (if you agree).

I would have liked to know the author’s suggestions on where we go from here. What would her “ideal mother” look like in a book?

I may not be the best person to review Carrie Mullins’ THE BOOK OF MOTHERS.

Each chapter focuses on a particular mother/motherly archetype, so if you’ve read the book being discussed, you can participate in the text. However, if you have not read about the specific mother, you might be at a loss (like me!). The chapters about unknown mothers made me want to go out and read more books, so that’s a good thing, but overall the experience was somewhat lacking.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and and NetGalley for providing the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
A wonderful exploration of motherhood. So interesting to take a deep dive into this topic.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and and NetGalley for providing the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

"The Book of Mothers" by Carrie Mullins redefines the perception of mothers as uninteresting characters by exploring the overlooked interior lives of women. Mullins argues that societal practices have made mothers invisible, and her essays, spanning classical and contemporary literature, breathe new life into well-known characters like Mrs. Bennet and Mrs. Weasley. Beyond motherhood, the book covers diverse topics from The Real Housewives to political history, examining the intricate relationship between popular culture and misogyny.

Mullins portrays motherhood as both extraordinary and banal, delving into the duality of maternal love and rage. This book is a valuable resource for mothers, providing insights and validation for their experiences and I am hopeful that these compelling essays will find a broad audience that will appreciate the themes of empathy, humanity, and purpose.

"The Book of Mothers" by Carrie Mullins is a poignant exploration of the complex relationships that shape our lives. Mullins skillfully weaves together the narratives of three generations of women, offering a powerful and intimate portrait of motherhood. The novel is a delicate dance between heartbreak and resilience, as each character confronts the challenges and joys that come with being a mother.

Mullins's prose is both lyrical and evocative, capturing the essence of the characters' experiences with a raw and honest beauty. The interplay of past and present adds depth to the storytelling, creating a rich tapestry of emotions that resonates with readers. The author's keen insight into the intricacies of maternal bonds elevates the novel beyond a simple family saga, making it a compelling exploration of identity, sacrifice, and the enduring power of love.

"The Book of Mothers" is a testament to Mullins's storytelling prowess, leaving readers with a profound appreciation for the complexities inherent in the relationships that shape us. This novel is a heartfelt and resonant tribute to the strength of women and the enduring legacy of motherhood.

I'm pregnant with my first child so this is a timely read for me! I thought it was a really interesting concept, and appreciated the diversity of literature sampled for this book. I wasn't sure the personal anecdotes always worked, but they mostly did, and I enjoyed this book. I think it'd be great for a book club discussion or to share with friends, I'll probably buy it when it comes out so I can spend more time with it.

Mothers are historically the least interesting or involved characters in most works of fiction. Carrie Mullins explores 15 works of classic and contemporary literature to argue that motherhood is complex and an individual experience- far from the one size fits all. I spent my time with this book, researching each book as it is presented as most I have not read. It is dense and packed with content that is too rich to read quickly.
You'll find moms from the following books:
-Pride and Prejudice
-Little Women
-The Great Gatsby
-Beloved
-Heartburn
-The Color Purple
-The Joy Luck Club
-Madame Bovary
-Anne of Green Gables
-To the Lighthouse
-Play It As It Lays
-Mrs. Bridge
-Passing
-The Handmaid's Tale
-Harry Potter
While I think reading all of these books would have aided my comprehension of some of the author's main points, I don't think it necessary to grasp what it means to be a mother in modern day society and how this has and has not changed throughout the years. I highlighted so many sentences in this book, probably more than any before it so I will leave you with one of my favorites:
Write stories about women, about mothers. literature humanizes; it widens our perspective and has an unmatched ability to create empathy for characters unlike ourselves"
This would make a fantastic read for any mother or literary fiction reader and the timing of publication- around Mother's Day- perfect.

As a mother and a voracious reader, I was so excited to hear of this book. I think it does a great job helping mothers from all walks of life feel like they matter and there’s a space for them in the world, but as many other reviewers have said, it feels a little tried-on already. The book, like a lot of parenting-style books, gives advice, discusses different mothers in literature, and then what? Maybe a better read for a book club where some topics (childcare, healthcare, access to medical procedures) could be teased out and discussed, but there is no resolution (is there ever in books like this?)

I think the idea was good, the execution was ALMOST.

Carrie Mullins' "The Book of Mothers" is a touching and beautifully written exploration of the myriad facets of motherhood. I enjoyed the deep emotional resonance and keen insights into the complex relationships that define our lives. The narrative is poignant and heartwarming, but it doesn't shy away from the less glamorous aspects of motherhood. Mullins bravely explores the sacrifices and doubts that come with raising children, portraying motherhood in all its raw and unfiltered beauty.

"The Book of Mothers" is a testament to the power of storytelling to illuminate the human experience. It's a celebration of the women who have shaped us, and the stories are a reminder that motherhood is a journey filled with moments of joy, sorrow, and everything in between. Carrie Mullins' book is a tribute to mothers everywhere, and it's a deeply moving and thoughtful read for anyone who has ever had a mother, is a mother, or aspires to be one.

Mothers have always felt like the least interesting characters until I became one and developed a voracious appetite for stories about pregnancy and motherhood. In The Book of Mothers, Carrie Mullins argues that it is not so much a fault of my own that I found these characters irrelevant, but a societal practice of ignoring the interior of women’s lives that has made mothers so invisible. This collection of essays breathes new life into well known characters and centers their experiences as mothers and care givers.

Mullins examines both classical and more contemporary literature, mining these stories for messages about what it means to be a woman. Some characters are obvious- think Mrs. Bennet from Pride and Prejudice- and others are unexpected, like Mrs. Weasley in Harry Potter. Although I eagerly downloaded this book in the hopes of engaging in reflective work on motherhood, I was pleasantly surprised to find myself delving into topics ranging from The Real Housewives to political history, and the relationship between popular culture and misogyny. Throughout the book, Mullins reminds the reader that motherhood and domesticity is much bigger, much more complex than any characterture of a marm in a shapeless cardigan could ever capture.

Mullins shows us that motherhood is an extraordinary experience, impossible to fully grasp, and at the same time, it is an incredibly ordinary and banal experience. Many things can be true at the same time. I most enjoyed Cullin’s exploration of duality, like the thin line between maternal love and maternal rage and how motherhood can erase and suffocate your sense of self while also providing the space to process a lifetime of navigating micro aggressions and conflicting expectations.

While it is not new to suggest that misogyny has marginalized domestic stories, this collection of essays offers plenty of timely and fresh analysis, including (yet another) dissection of the Handmaid’s Tale. Mullins writes that regardless of pregnancy, women are time and again reduced to womb and the implications of this are far reaching.

This is a book I will purchase so I can take it off my shelf and show to every mom friend who visits. It’s the kind of book I will highlight quotations to send to friends and family when one of us is in need of validation for our feelings.

Mullins interprets literary mothers as more complicated and complete characters, ones that have value to readers who share more than just an experience giving birth or caring for children. They are entry points into what it means to be human and to find purpose in this world. As much as I found these essays valuable beyond motherhood and as convincing as I found the evidence that mothers are not minor or irrelevant characters, I struggle to see this book being read by anyone who is not, well, a mother. I hope these essays find their way to a larger audience.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC for review.

I really enjoyed this exploration of mothers throughout literature & how they have formed cultures views on motherhood. The chapters that referenced some of my all time top books were 5 stars! I thought the author had such a keen insight. However, I struggled some with the stories I was less familiar with. I also thought that some chapters were more successful than others in tying the referenced work to modern themes. Overall I really enjoyed this! I thought it was a very unique and original work.

An interesting and helpful look at how mothers in books define motherhood today. I enjoyed most of the comparisons that Mullins drew. Other parts I found myself skipping over especially if I had not read the book she referred to. Overall it was well written and I liked the concept. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. Three stars.

I had mixed feelings about this book. I liked all the deep looks into mothers of literature, but I wanted more from our author on what she considered the perfect mother from literature is/was. I know there is no perfect mother, but in what ways can literature help mothers become more of who they want to be and help show their reflection back to them so they can say, "yes, someone else understands!*.

A good book for discussion.

Thanks NetGalley for this ARC!

The Book of Mothers felt like participating in a cozy book club! I really loved it and enjoyed each time I picked it up, knowing I was going to be able to explore some honest motherhood! This book was wonderful in providing insight related to mothers in literature. It reminded me of book discussions in college where you were able to explore a character, their motivations, and where society was at that time. I have only read a few of the books mentioned, but was still able to follow along (and create a TBR list!) and enjoy the exploration of Mullins.

My one critique of this book is the politics that comes from later chapters that tackle recent issues. I know this is relevant, but also notice that it can feel heavy handed in exploring one narrative versus all sides. Obviously the "mommy wars" of working versus staying home comes into play, but it also feels a bit judgmental towards women who enjoy staying at home and identifying with motherhood. I know one book cannot go into all the nuances of motherhood, but did feel myself enjoying the last few chapters a bit less because of it. I particularly think of the footnotes related to JK Rowling and not fully exploring some of the recent issues surrounding her comments. I enjoyed when Mullins went into the history of other authors, but felt like Rowling did not get the same (maybe this is my own bias!).

I would highly recommend this book! I haven't seen anything like it before and feel like it has an important place in literature today.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC of this book.

Thank you St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the ARC!

The Book of Mothers is a POWERHOUSE. This book could not be more timely for our current political climate, and for my own self-discovery as a new mother. I've never read such a meticulous and deep study of literary characters which then connected to modern motherhood struggles. I felt seen and heard and validated over and over.

Mullins asks the hard questions and isn't afraid to dive into the uncomfortable future women are facing today. As an anxiety-prone mother of an infant, this book gave me permission to feel all the feelings about motherhood, society, and the political landscape that targets moms and women in general.

Thank you again for the opportunity to read this book! It is one I will not soon forget.

(Note: I would be gentle with yourself as you read this one, and check your own emotional triggers, as this book covers sexual assault, abortion and abuse, among other tough topics.)

Through the lens of literature and well known classics along with pop culture references, Carrie Mullins opens our eyes to the way women are conditioned for motherhood. This is a timely book for the continued feminism movement and fight for equality. This book is a thought piece on how culture shapes the imagination for how women are viewed. By Mullins calling these examples out, we can no longer claim ignorance to not being shaped by our books and culture.