Mothertime

This book is funny, different and moving. Mothertime is a story about an alcoholic ex-beauty who neglects her children. After one disasterous Christmas, the children decide they want an actual, maternal mother - a real mother - so they trap their mother in a sauna where they hold her hostage for months, take away her booze and cigarettes, and make her wear flowery feminine clothes. Throughout the book, the author tricks you into feeling indignant, and satisfied that this horrible mother finally got hers. Then the book's ending takes you completely by surprise (I pride myself on seeing things coming - I didn't see this at all). It stops you short and opens your eyes to some reasons people are they way they are, and reminds you that we don't always have the right to judge.