The Good Mother: A Novel

I just finished this book, and boy am I exhausted. I would have loved to have given this book 5 stars, but Sue Miller's book was a little to overly explicit and graphic about everything. I felt like I was a psychologist or "Shrink" listening to every detail of Anna's (the main charactor) thoughts. This divorced mother is trying to raise her young daughter, and discover her sexuality with her slezy boyfriend. She puts herself and her loser boyfriend ahead of her daughter, drinks too much, and has only part time jobs, while refusing help from her ex or family. She continuously complains, but doesn't change anything until she HAS to. A page turner until the end. But I found myself skipping sentences and then paragraphs because of needless detail.

I first read "While I was Gone" and became hooked on Sue Miller's writing. Just had to read "The Good Mother" and found it even better. Miller has the uncanny ability of taking flawed characters and allowing us to find some redeeming qualities, some reason to like them. Her words trigger something in all of us, that no matter how sad the story, you can't lay the book down. It haunts you days after you read it. The story focuses on Anna's poor parenting, yet Miller subtly uses the court testimony of the psychiatrist to define Anna's better qualities, and explains why, despite her irrational sexual behavior, she was a "good mother." Prior to Leo, Anna developed an emotional bond with Molly, giving her a sense of security and inner strength. And despite the tormented years that would inevitably follow the divorce and custody battle, we're told that Molly will survive emotionally because Anna is her "inner parent." She, in effect, became a piece of Molly forever. To many, that would make Anna a "good mother." Thought provoking book and author.

This book dealt with powerful issues regarding the lifestyle of a woman needs to be both power of example to her child yet have a life of her own. Anna clearly realized she had to make a choice and the choice was her child though she lost dearly, both the relationship with her daughter and loss of Leo. Anna knew she could not reconnect with her daughter if she kept Leo in her life and she made a very brave and difficult decision. To amend her behavior she moved near her daugher for her comfort, giving up her own and left Leo and the friends she made in her town. Sue Miller did a great job.

For anyone who has been sexually abused or has been accused ofit. This book will challenge your reality. Sue Miller is so brave,and so honest in depicting a family in crisis. She does a wonderful job describing a parent's relationship with self and child and the boundries that can become blurred. A very emotional and human book.