The Many Mothers of Ivy Puddingstone
by Randy Susan Meyers
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Pub Date Oct 29 2024 | Archive Date Mar 31 2025
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Description
Seven Children. Five Mothers. One idyllic commune. What could go wrong?
Annabel Cooper wants to save the world. Her story begins in 1964 with her journey to Freedom Summer in Mississippi, where the disappearance of her first love ignites a lifelong fight for justice. Years later, she, her husband, and four other couples form a Boston political collective where they live together with their children in a rambling Boston house. As the era's social upheaval intensifies, they move their children to a Vermont Eden, where they can remain safe from the world's threats; their parents continue their political work, taking turns traveling to Vermont to care for the children.
But not all danger comes from the outside.
Annabel's daughter, Ivy, yearns for normalcy, not the patchouli-soaked, natural-food-laden confines of Vermont. But mostly, she longs for Annabel's attention-until a cataclysmic event alters the course of all their lives and she learns the limits of her many mothers and fathers.
The Many Mothers of Ivy Puddingstone delves into the intricate and nuanced dance of familial love and communal ties through the lens of sociopolitical upheaval from the 1960s to the present day, examining which sacrifices are worth the price.
A Note From the Publisher
Advance Praise
". . . beautifully written and full of warmth, wit, and wisdom. I'm a devoted fan!" -Liane Moriarty, New York Times bestselling author of Big Little Lies and Nine Perfect Strangers
". . . Meyers delves into the untold strength of mothers and the unfathomable choices they face-and will have readers whipping through these pages."-Pam Jenoff, New York Times bestselling author of The Orphan's Tale and The Lost Girls of Paris
"With a deft hand, Randy Susan Meyers seamlessly weaves in the issues of the day in this beautifully crafted novel that questions what we're willing to sacrifice in our attempts to right the wrongs of the world." -Jennifer S. Brown, USA Today bestselling author of The Whisper Sister
"Meyers has done an excellent job recreating late-20th-century history that may be unfamiliar to many readers...The premise is engaging, and the polished prose keeps us eagerly turning pages." -Washington Independent Review of Books
"With realistic, hard-hitting prose and a well-researched and startling setting, Meyers delivers another deeply felt, beautiful novel."-Booklist, American Library Association
"With a compassionate hand, Meyers explores the many manifestations of love in a flawed but eternally hopeful universe." -Jewish Book Council
"Rarely has a novel touched me so deeply. . . . Meyers moves the story with urgency and grace between Freedom Summer and 9/11 and beyond, reminding the reader of the complicated political stew of race, class, and gender that has simmered in the past half-century." -MER Review, Ellen Meeropol
"Meyers has crafted a story that is both intimate and expansive. A beautifully written, witty and heart-warming novel of love and loss."-Reader's Choice Book Awards
"..if possible, I would give it more than 5 stars. It's one of my favorite books of 2024."-Girl Who Reads
Available Editions
| EDITION | Paperback |
| ISBN | 9798888245330 |
| PRICE | $19.95 (USD) |
| PAGES | 366 |
Links
Available on NetGalley
Featured Reviews
McKenna J, Reviewer
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."
Jill W, Reviewer
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!
