Customer Reviews

Mother and Two Daughters

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

While I was browsing through Amazon's Gail Godwin titles, I was shocked to see a "one star" Avg. Customer Rating for A Mother and Two Daughters....

It's probably been 15 years since I read this novel, but I remember being swept away by the story of these three strong, complex, and very interesting women. I am contributing my "five star" review in the hopes that potential readers will not bypass this compelling, richly textured book.

A truly wonderful book, with real and rich characters. A Southern widow who is a good decent woman faces the daily ritual of Southern genteel life, but is challenged by the rivalry of her two daughters Cate and Lydia. Full of the flavor of Southern life and customs, and lush detail. You will be drawn into the story and will wish the story kept on going when it ends.

I don't understand the 1 star either. This is one of my favorite books of all time. You come to really care about the characters. The mother 'not true to herself'? I don't understand that at all. Self-sacrificing maybe .... in a way many mothers are. All in all, I've got nothing but good things to say.

I loved this book, which I thought was compelling right from the start. It's been a long time since I've read it but so much of the story and the characters still stand out in my mind, so it's very memorable. If you like Gail Godwin, you won't be disappointed in this one. If you've never read her books, this is a good one to start with.

Mother and Two Daughters - After the death of their father, Cate, a woman with a crusading streak, and
and her more conventional sister Lydia must learn to come to terms with their differences. The three main characters: Cate, newly divorced Lydia, and their mother Nell are well-drawn and three dimensional. While Cate deals with the possible loss of her teaching job and a new boyfriend, Lydia faces life as a single woman; she goes back to college and gets a job. Well written and intriguing, though the last chapter felt too calculated.

A Southern writer, Godwin captures the family life of the titular characters after the father dies. The women are all very different, but this touching book shows how family is important and how being independent isn't a bad thing. After the father's death, each character examines her life and future. I found it very real and interesting. Though the epilogue was a bit blah.

I read a review before I read the book. The reviewer claimed to actually miss the characters after reading the book. I enjoyed the book, that is, I finished it. But I don't think the characters were so complex--I thought they were predictable (and somewhat obnoxious). I also found the "wrapping up" of issues boring and over calculated at the end. This is my first Gail Godwin book, so I might try another. If it is the same, I probably won't read another.

One of the things I enjoy about reading is that I can take something from a book and carry it with me....some insight or food for thought. This book has nothing to savor in it's story. I don't like the Mother, who is never true to herself. I really disliked the older daughter character, she needs to grow-up and since she is 40 I doubt she ever will. The younger daughter held the story for a while, but she falls into the TV business without any prior talent...unbelievable at best. Morality is passe throughout and so is this book, folks.