Motherland is a follow up of sorts to Sohn's Prospect Park West, with a few of the characters reappearing in this satirical exploration of parenthood and relationships in upper class Brooklyn.

Half a dozen or more narratives intertwine to reveal a cluster of shallow, privileged men and women who parent only when it doesn't interfere with their latest affair, high or career goals. Actually that is probably a bit unfair, but it's hard to find sympathy for Sohn's characters who all want more, despite having so much. With the cushion of money and status, they tend to manufacture their own drama in a search of the elusive holy grail of happiness, but I can't see any of them ever finding satisfaction.

Amy's characters are certainly PC enough in terms of of race, ethnicity and orientation. Three of the main characters are married, mostly unhappily with the pressures of parenthood a factor in their misery. Rebecca is hiding the fact that her youngest son is not her husband's but the result of an affair with a celebrity, Danny Gotlieb is ambivalent about both fatherhood and marriage with his longed for career his priority and Marco resents being a house husband to his wilful adopted son and newborn baby. Karen is newly a single mother after her husband abandoned her for a transvestite escort, divorced Melora's fondness for her son is easily eclipsed by her desire for fame while it is revealed that the stroller thief refers to her ex husband as The Bastard even more than 18 years after he left.
None of them are particularly likeable though I felt more for the circumstances of some than others.
The children of these characters, mostly young (under 6) are barely present, safely cared for by nannies or private pre schools which seems odd when these parents very rarely do any parenting at all.

Perhaps if I was more familiar with the rarefied world of the Upper East Side I would have enjoyed Motherland more, instead I found I was mainly annoyed with it, especially with the excessive celebrity name dropping. Sohn likes to shock with some salacious sexual encounters, including Marco's cruising of Grindr, an incestuous hook up and a toe sucking masseuse. Titillating perhaps, but largely ridiculous.

I can't really fault the writing or much else, it's just I didn't care for the story or characters. While Motherland is not for me, I am sure New Yorkers will enjoy gossiping about the source of the author's inspiration and celebrity hounds will find plenty to keep them satisfied.