Stories of Motherhood

by Diana Secker Tesdell (Editor)

Now joining Everyman’s Library—the most extensive and distinguished collectible library of the world’s greatest works—is an appealing new collection in a small Pocket Classics format, perfect for gift giving and reading pleasure.
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Stories of Motherhood gathers more than a century of literary celebrations of mothers of all ages. These short stories by a wide range of great writers illuminate the many facets of our most elemental human relationship, from birth to death and everything in between.
 
Lydia Davis and Harold Brodkey explore dizzying encounters between young mothers and their newborn babies, while Colm Tóibín and Lorrie Moore portray adult children grieving for their lost mothers. Ron Carlson probes the forging of a bond with an adopted infant, Barbara Kingsolver gives us a sparring mother-and-daughter pair whose overlapping pregnancies lead them to common ground, and Aimee Bender offers a loopy fable of maternal connection in which a woman gives birth to her own mother. Willa Cather, Ernest Gaines, and Louise Erdrich dramatize the strength and sacrifices of mothers in very different walks of life, while Anita Desai and Amy Tan chart the gulf of misunderstanding and cultural change that can divide mothers and their offspring in any time or place—and the ways love can sometimes find to cross it.
 
These and such other masters of the short story as Sherwood Anderson, Hortense Calisher, and Alice Munro write memorably about mothers—having, losing, leaving, and loving them—in modes that range from lyrical to satirical, from heartbreaking to hilarious.

Genres: Short Stories, Fiction, Classics, Parenting

352 pages, Hardcover

First published April 3, 2012

Reviews

[Kirsty · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Everyman's short story collections, and read this particular one on my way to France for Easter. Stories of Motherhood is absolutely beautiful, and I found many favourite stories within its pages, both new to me and rereads. A really enjoyable and varied collection.

[Susie Kerry · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was bought this as a gift during pregnancy and from the cover I can see why, but in general the stories are pretty depressing and not nice to read whilst expecting. Lots of mention of miscarriage, stillborn and losing children, parents disappointing their children, loss of parents. Some of them are well written, just a word of warning for other expectant mothers - it’s not what you think!

[Therese · Rating 3 out of 5]

As this is a collection of short stories, it's difficult to give it a fair review, but it's definitely a very eclectic collection with something for everyone. I have to be honest and say there's at least three to four of these stories that I could've happily skipped over, but for the most part it was a fun and varied read. It's nice to be challenged to read things I wouldn't normally do. It hasn't made me want to seek out any individual authors though and read more of it.

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5* Not every story is 5 stars, but the arrangement of these stories are top notch. Favorites: Davis, Cather, Bender

Only thing I don’t like is that sometimes it’s not a story but the excerpt of a novel (Tan, Joy Luck Club being one example). That feels like cheating somehow...

[Sharon · Rating 2 out of 5]

The stories range from boring to good, and the good ones aren’t really worth the slog. It’s a lovely end table book, I suppose.

[Gilbert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice collection of short stories related to mothers.

[Karen R. Dickson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Such an odd assortment of stories...some were OK, many to me were dreadful. Left me flat, pretty much.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hard to rate this, as it's a collection of short stories by different authors on the theme of motherhood. I enjoyed most of them, particularly "I Stand Here Ironing" by Tillie Olsen. Also, I loved the size and shape of the book, and the sewn-in ribbon bookmark.

[Dawn · Rating 2 out of 5]

An eclectic mix of short stories. Some were delightful, others just unusual.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I requested this for Mother's Day one year. I have to say that short stories are not usually my favorite, but I ended up enjoying each for the message/aspect of motherhood they presented.

[Joy Zabel]

Slow, boring, and the writing was awful.