In 1964 Mississippi, Annabel is forever changed when the black man she falls in love with disappears. Years later, Annabel is still fighting for social justice and wants to protect her daughter from the civil rights turmoil she and her husband are involved in. Several of these like-minded couples join forces to form a collective and send their children to live a “natural” life in rural Vermont as the parents visit them when possible. But no matter how much they try to protect their children from the outside, they forget that children need the stability of their parents’ presence to protect them most of all.

I expected this novel to be more about Ivy, Annabel’s daughter but the main story seemed to revolve more around the adults and less around the character who the book is titled after. I was captivated by the initial story of Annabel but felt it was disconnected from the rest of the story. I appreciated the premise of the novel but I think there was more potential for this book.

Thank you to @koehlerbookspub and @netgalley for a #gifted digital copy of this novel.

Starting in the 1960’s, Annabel, a smart young woman travels to Mississippi to help register black voters. Called Freedom Summer, Annabel’s charitable, god fearing parents are convinced that teaching their daughters to be good and kind and fair is all that matters. That summer changes her life. It introduces Annabel to a world that judges, deprives and punishes people, based on the color of their skin. She is shocked, she falls in love and sets her on a path for a life she never imagined. Annabel and her partner Guthrie move to Boston while he attends Harvard. They live in a communal house called Puddingstone shared by 10 adults and a growing number of children. These like minded friends and roommates are all activists. Some fighting for equality in the workplace while others clamor for better welfare benefits. They are intelligent, passionate and want to change the world. As the the children grow and now number 7, the adults decide city life is not healthy. It is not safe or pure. They want them to explore nature and their creativity and most of all, the adults want to continue their crusades without the daily complications of childcare. One of the women buys an old farmhouse in Vermont. They set up what they believe is an idyllic place to grow and decide the mothers will visit by rotation, giving the children fresh air and adventure while the adults can continue the revolution. Narrated by both Annabel and her daughter Ivy, this novel chronicles decades of their evolving relationship shaped by unique circumstances. It is rich with drama, history, friendship, and the deep-seated yearning for mothering that all living beings need.

This book felt like one where the author had a bunch of interesting ideas and instead of writing two maybe three books she combined it into one and it just didn’t do justice to any of the ideas
Although the book is called “many mothers” we only hear one mother’s story and perspective along with Ivy’s ( who is also one of many kids). we are often told this happened and that happened and rarely “shown” what is happening

Many thanks to NetGalley and Koehler Books for gifting me a digital ARC of this wonderful historical fiction novel by Randy Susan Meyers. All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

Annabel Cooper wants to save the world. She begins her mission in 1964 as a part of Freedom Summer in Mississippi, trying to register Blacks to vote. She meets her first love and his disappearance ignites her fight for justice even stronger. Later, she and her husband as well as four other couples form a Boston political group, living together with all their children. But as the parents' pull to become more active gets stronger, they move the children to a farm in Vermont, cared for by one of the group members. Annabel's daughter, Ivy, wants to be normal and misses her parents. A disaster changes everything.

I love how this book explores the mother/child relationship amid all the political and societal changes from the 60s to present day, as viewed from both Annabel and Ivy. The parents had the best of intentions - to fight for what they believed is right while keeping their children safe and away from the turmoil. But we know what is said about good intentions. This book languished too long on my TBR shift; it was a thought-provoking and sometimes heartbreaking read.

Annabel, a white 18 year old, comes of age during the summer of 1964 when she travels to register to Mississippi to help register voters. She falls in love with a black student who goes missing that summer. As an adult she starts a commune where the parents rotate to raise their children. It doesn't go well, as the first chapter of the book is her daughter's college entrance essay.

I didn't like the characters in this book so I had a hard time getting into the book.

The Many Mothers of Ivy Puddingstone by Randy Susan Meyers is an engrossing and poignant novel that masterfully blends wit, wisdom, and deeply felt emotion. Set against the backdrop of the 1960s and spanning to the present, this story explores themes of communal living, the essence of womanhood, and the profound, often untapped strength of mothers. The richly drawn characters and their interwoven lives create a tapestry that pulls readers into an intricate family coming-of-age story, brimming with resilience and connection.

Meyers’ narrative is a heartfelt journey that captures the turbulence of its era while resonating with modern readers. Each page is laced with wit and deep insight, making it a thought-provoking tale that lingers long after the final chapter. This is a book that celebrates the bonds of chosen family, the shared burdens and joys of motherhood, and the enduring power of solidarity among women. A must-read for those who appreciate stories that speak to the strength found in vulnerability and the quiet revolution of love and community.

Quotes:
“Once upon a time, I belonged to a tribe of kids who ran free. Too free.”
"My parents planted the seeds of radical change in me with less than zero intention. By the time I reached eighteen, those seeds had grown into vines thick enough to choke out the merest whiff of injustice."

This was my first Randy Susan Meyers book, and it certainly won't be my last. I saw so many amazing reviews for this book that I knew I was in for a treat, and it did not disappoint. This is definitely a must-read for fans of historical fiction and books about mother/ daughter relationships. It is a beautifully written and heartwarming story. Highly recommend!