Like Mother, Like Mother

A Novel

De: Susan Rieger

Narrado por: Rebecca Lowman

An enthralling novel about three generations of strong-willed women, unknowingly shaped by the secrets buried in their family’s past.

“What a delight! Like Mother, Like Mother is sharp, fun, and witty.”—Ann Napolitano, bestselling author of Hello Beautiful

“A sprawling family saga, briskly told with the lightest of touches and an often-surprising sense of humor.”—Rumaan Alam, bestselling author of Leave the World Behind

A VOGUE BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR

Detroit, 1960. Lila Pereira is two years old when her angry, abusive father has her mother committed to an asylum. Lila never sees her mother again. Three decades later, having mustered everything she has—brains, charm, talent, blond hair—Lila rises to the pinnacle of American media as the powerful, brilliant executive editor of The Washington Globe. Lila unapologetically prioritizes her career, leaving the rearing of her daughters to her generous husband, Joe. He doesn’t mind—until he does.

But Grace, their youngest daughter, feels abandoned. She wishes her mother would attend PTA meetings, not White House correspondents’ dinners. As she grows up, she cannot shake her resentment. She wants out from under Lila’s shadow, yet the more she resists, the more Lila seems to shape her life. Grace becomes a successful reporter, even publishing a bestselling book about her mother. In the process of writing it, she realizes how little she knows about her own family. Did Lila’s mother, Grace’s grandmother, die in that asylum? Is refusal to look back the only way to create a future? How can you ever be yourself, Grace wonders, if you don’t know where you came from?

Spanning generations, and populated by complex, unforgettable characters, Like Mother, Like Mother is an exhilarating, portrait of family, marriage, ambition, power, the stories we inherit, and the lies we tell to become the people we believe we’re meant to be.

©2024 Susan Rieger (P)2024 Random House Audio

Reseñas de la Crítica

“A novel in the spirit of Meg Wolitzer, Jean Hanff Korelitz, and the great Nora Ephron . . . Who says comedy is dead? It’s all here—incredible characters, joyful satire, a wisecracking newswoman, family secrets with a twist of lime.”—Allegra Goodman, bestselling author of Sam

“What a delight! Lila is a magnificent character, and I could not put this book down. Like Mother, Like Mother is sharp, fun, and witty.”—Ann Napolitano, bestselling author of Hello Beautiful

“The writing in Like Mother, Like Mother trots easily along, and the last 50 or so pages are almost impossible to put down...One of the best aspects of this novel is that, even though much of it takes place in the fraught world of journalism, it’s actually an escape from today’s headlines. It’s a fun immersion into the lives of a loving, well-meaning, smart, and interesting set of people who readers will want to root for.”—The New York Journal

Dysfunction Runs Deep

this is a really great book for people who wonder why they do certain things. It is great about making generational connections for all those who are finding their long lost siblings, cousins and parents. There is so much more here, especially about the relationship between mothers and daughters, and what they owe each other.

Astounding

I enjoyed this so much. The narrator did a fantastic job of holding my attention and of making me feel the story. Though the Zelda parts hit me deeply I did not like her. I tried hard but I was abandoned by my father and left with a crazy woman. To me it didn’t matter that this was a mother and mine was a father. Either way it’s desertion and unforgivable. I felt for Zelda being so young and going through such abuse but she left her three children with an abuser. Unforgivable.
Beautiful story. Sad but still beautiful. Well written and well read.

Great story!

The narrator did a very good job with pronunciation of Jewish words etc. This not always the case. Appreciative of the effort.

What a great story!

Loved the entire thing.
The characters are so rich and so interesting.
And the ending was a big surprise!

Disappointing

The beginning of this book was really interesting. Then the section about the daughter, Grace, began. It felt very long and slow, especially since half of this section, inexplicably, detailed the life of Grace’s friend Ruth. Ruth was impossibly pure, accomplished, and kind. Why? Her inclusion seemed fairly unrelated to the plot, unless you really give it the English major-treatment and make a bunch of tenuous connections about symbolism. The ending was interesting but felt rushed. Add to these issues many long phone conversations and flat male characters…not my favorite, but it was at least original.

compelling story

wow...glad I stumbled on this story! humans being human...poor life choices and triumphs. recommend 100%

Three generational trauma

Loved the reader’s voice especially with so many characters. Author hits on so much when it comes to generational trauma. At times a bit choppy but overall a really good read.

Characters

A fun worthwhile read, thought provoking and very relevant to current events (politics) and family drama.

Women owning their lives

My favorite part of this book is the role reversals between mothers and fathers. Not every woman has a motherly instinct and not every man wants to be a superhero. Appreciation for the ones that live their true feelings without guilt or shame.

Like Mother Like Mother

Decent story, hard to like characters. Too many of the authors opinions were woven into story without disguise. The authors writing seemed immature at times similar to how she described Grace as a writer.