Otherhood

Sutcliffe, William. "Whatever Makes You Happy". Bloomsbury Publishing, 2009. Three Mothers, Three Sons Amos Lassen "Whatever Makes You Laugh" is a wonderful look at the relationships between mothers and sons. It's all about miscommunication between the sexes and the generations. Three British women--Gillian, Helen and Carol all have lives that fulfill them but each once a deeper relationship with her son. All of the sons are the same age, 34 and the mothers are true meddlers and really seem to know how to deconstruct their sons. The book mixes comedy and romance and is both very funny and very sad. Sutcliffe writes with a wonderful wit as he paints portraits of families that are truly messed up. Matt, Daniel and Paul have been friends since childhood and all three now in their thirties have lost contact with their mothers. Their mothers on the other hand plan surprise visits to their dons and all three turn up at their sons' on the same day. They want to renew the mother-son bond and plan to do so by moving in with their sons for a week. You can imagine what ensues but Sutcliffe tells it to us in a way that is sublimely funny and sad. We feel his sense of humanity and this is what makes this book so important.

I found this book by pure chance, but I am very glad I did. I recommend it highly. It wasn't the book I expected it to be, and that was a good surprise.

Being the mom of a 36 year-old son myself, I was naturally drawn to the story of these three women wanting to get to know their sons better. I'm glad mine is happily married though, so I wouldn't have to make the bold move they did here. At times I wanted to yell "NOOOO!" at their antics, but I have to say that overall it was well-written, amusing, touching and not-so-Hollywood-perfect like I was dreading by the conclusion. Carol and Matt, Helen and Paul, and Gillian and Daniel will stay with you after you'be finished the book. Great, quick read.