As an adult Grace searched for answers to burning questions and discovered much more than she bargained for . . . the shocking truth of all that came before her.
This novel is a family saga. Lila and Joe took the next logical step in their marriage, as many did and still do in expanding their happy union to include children. Lila is a fiercely driven professional and never claims to be otherwise. At first, Lila is stunned at the prospect of raising children, referencing her traumas of youth and upbringing. She eventually softens to the idea and is willing to give Joe the offspring he so desperately wants. Lila makes Joe fully aware that nurturing is not something she has the capacity for and he must be willing to provide the lion’s share of all ongoing care and supervision.
It’s not so much that Lila is cold to her children, she loves them as much as she can love. Lila’s actions are fear-driven, avoiding any damage she might inflict somehow, the worry that the abuse she suffered would somehow affect them too. Lila’s thought process has some merit and gives weight to the compelling argument of motherhood . . . for and against. Which does more damage . . . to be present and cause physical and psychological harm or to be absent and possibly still cause harm to the child’s psyche? The reality is that once you become a parent, your life is not completely your own, the ripple effect of some decisions could spill onto your offspring and the next generation. In my circle, this always sparks a discussion of the roles of nature and nurture . . . which will have more influence on us as children and the adults we become? I believe that healing old wounds is of utmost importance before passing along our DNA. I’m sure Lila’s daughter Grace would agree.
Be warned that this author delves into politics as part of Lila’s journalistic journey and that the plot is moved along by the characters in a slow reveal fashion.
I recommend this book for fans of domestic drama and multigenerational stories of resilience and survival,
I thank NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of Like Mother, Like Mother for my unbiased evaluation. 3.5 stars
