Questions About The Mothers

by Brit Bennett (Goodreads Author)

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Answered Questions (13)

I think this book may be an anti-abortion rant. What do others think?

Siv I didn't think it was either anti-abortion or a rant. Abortion played a significant role in the story, and the different characters handled it differe…moreI didn't think it was either anti-abortion or a rant. Abortion played a significant role in the story, and the different characters handled it differently. To me it seemed like a pretty honest account of the complexities of the event and its emotional toll.(less)

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bookster I loved the book but gave it 4 stars just because of that. I also wondered what was going on in that last paragraph. I needed a little more closure.
I…moreI loved the book but gave it 4 stars just because of that. I also wondered what was going on in that last paragraph. I needed a little more closure.
I needed more on the military man, on the suicide, and on Nadia and her dad. (less)

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What does the last line of the book mean/represent? I feel like I am missing it and It's going over my head. "You're our mother. We're climbing inside you."

Lora Potter I thought this was a very beautiful and chilling line. What I interpreted this as was that we all turn into the Mothers. There were references through…moreI thought this was a very beautiful and chilling line. What I interpreted this as was that we all turn into the Mothers. There were references throughout the book to the mothers being in love, being young (loved the part about loving ain't shit men), and how they all could see the issues with Nadia coming because they have been there. I think this last line is meant to blur the lines that we may have created in our heads that separate Nadia and the Mothers.; they are the same. We all become the Mothers in the end. (less)

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what is this books stance on abortion?

Mauricio

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My book club pick to discuss in January. Having just completed it my views are mixed. Failure to launch for these teens is strong in this story, acting without thinking of the consequences and the big one: Who was that girl that the community was obsessed with for years? In the end it read like a soap opera. Did other readers feel that the novel was really about the community and Mothers of the Upper Room?

Pamala I'm confused by your comment about "failure to launch." Nadia goes to a competitive university, travels the world, excels in law school, and becomes a…moreI'm confused by your comment about "failure to launch." Nadia goes to a competitive university, travels the world, excels in law school, and becomes an attorney. Aubrey's ambitions are more modest, but she is steadfast and diligent in serving her Church and her family. Luke is aimless after his college football ambitions are derailed, but works hard at his job and non-pro sports team, and turns his second injury into a career in physical therapy. I think perhaps you were applying your own preconceptions to the characters and not actually reading the text.

I agree that the story was about the community, and the toxic ripple effects of judgment, gossip, and social pressure on everyone from the teenagers, to their parents, to the rest of the Church family. The title is a bit of a giveaway about the author's intentions, here, as "the mothers" refers collectively to the elder women of the Church, Nadia's & Aubrey's missing mothers, and later to Nadia & Aubrey themselves. (less)

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