LoveReading Says
Two voices: a damaged mother, Josephine, remembering her past and failing to cope with the present, and her 10 year old daughter Claire, on the cusp of puberty, who takes good care of her younger brother Thomas. The publisher tells us of a dark secret which we discover on page 81, but 155 pages later it is all turned on it’s head and poor Josephine sinks into despair. She comes from a large Irish family of six siblings and has married a truly lovely man, Michael, but her drinking and depression defeat even him. Claire describes her life in minute detail and other than reacting to her mother’s mood swings she has little idea how tortured her mother is. Josephine gives us the storyline, her childhood, fleeing home, surviving in London, meeting her husband, having her children. Alcohol becomes her crutch and obviously her enemy till eventually she is forced to face her past. An interesting study of mental illness, the contrast of the two voices drives this novel forward to its bitter-sweet conclusion.
Sarah Broadhurst
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Her Mother's Daughter Synopsis
Hello! magazine's April 2018 'book of the week' Set across two decades in London and Ireland, Her Mother's Daughter sees the lives of a troubled and emotionally abusive mother and her innocent ten-year-old daughter change forever after one summer holiday. 1980: Josephine flees her home in Ireland, hoping never to return. She starts a new, exciting life in London, but as much as she tries, she can't quite leave the trauma of her childhood behind. Seventeen years and two children later, Josephine gets a call from her sister to tell her that their mother is dying and wants to see her - a summons she can't refuse. 1997: Ten-year-old Clare is counting down to the summer holidays, when she is going to meet her grandparents in Ireland for the first time. She hopes this trip will put an end to her mum's dark moods - and drinking. But family secrets can't stay buried forever and following revelations in Ireland, everything starts to unravel. Have Josephine and her daughter passed the point of no return? What readers are saying about Her Mother's Daughter: 'Beautifully written; it really draws you in and keeps you engrossed all the way through. I actually read it in one sitting because I just got so absorbed in it. It's a heartbreaking novel but it does leave you with a real feeling of hope. I definitely recommend this book!' Rather Too Fond of Books 'An impressive debut... a book that will make you stop and think...and that can only be a good thing.' Writing.ie 'A novel which reflects on a wider, more universal exploration of mental health, the role of a mother, parenting and formative experiences.' Bibliomaniac 'A deft evocation of the damage caused by family... Disturbing yet engaging read.' NeverImitate 'It engaged me as a reader so much so, I read into the early hours to find out how Josephine and Claire faired, if their frail and damaged relationship could be healed... This book is a perfect example of the powerful influence literature can have on the reader.' BOOKSAREMYCWTCHES BOOKSAREMYCWTCH 'A gripping and moving read which dealt with some harrowing themes as it tells the story of a family coming to terms with the impact of long hidden secrets.' The Owl on the Bookshelf 'This story has a raw, heartfelt quality that I found very arresting... There's insight, subtlety and compassion in the handling of mental illness... A compelling read.' Charity Norman, five-star review 'WOW, I felt every emotion possible reading this story. I read it in one sitting as I couldn't put it down until I finished it.' Audrey, five-star review 'A poignant and well-observed tale of how the consequences of tragic and traumatic events can unravel over a lifetime, and throughout the generations of a family.' Cat T, five-star review 'An emotionally honest portrayal of how trauma can be passed down through generations.' Felicity Hughes, five-star review 'An extremely poignant tale, told from the two perspectives of mother and daughter... It was wonderfully uplifting to hear the thoughts of a child and also, at times, desperately heart breaking.' Melanie Lewis, five-star review
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