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Mother, Mother
Mother, Mother: A Novel | Koren Zailckas
From Koren Zailckas, author of the iconic memoir SMASHED: an electrifying debut novel about a family being torn apart by the woman who claims to love them mostJosephine Hurst has her family under control. With two beautiful daughters, a brilliantly intelligent son, a tech-guru of a husband, and a historical landmark home, her life is picture perfect. But living in this matriarchs determinedly cheerful, yet subtly controlling domain hasnt been easy for her family, and when her oldest daughter, Rose, runs off with a mysterious boyfriend, Josephine tightens her grip, gradually turning her flawless home into a darker sort of prison. Resentful of her sisters newfound freedom, Violet turns to eastern philosophy, hallucinogenic drugs, and extreme fasting, eventually landing herself ina psych ward. Meanwhile, her brother, Will, recently diagnosed with Asperger's, shrinks further into a world of self-doubt. Their father, Douglas, finds resolve in the bottom of abottlean addict craving his own chance to escape. Josephine struggles to maintain the familys impeccable faade, but when a violent incident leads to a visit from child protective services, the truth about the Hursts might finally be revealed.Now with Extra Libris material, including a readers guide and bonus content
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review
she.hearts.horror
Mother, Mother: A Novel | Koren Zailckas
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Pickpick

This was familiar and horrifying… And then horrifying because it was familiar.

Yuki_Onna Oh my goodness, this sounds absolutely terrifying... 😶 2y
she.hearts.horror It was a lot to process😭 2y
9 likes1 stack add2 comments
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blondie
Mother, Mother: A Novel | Koren Zailckas
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My first kettlebell workout is complete.
I‘m excited to keep up with that. It‘s something I can actually do in my little apartment. 😊

Now I‘m looking forward to getting back into Mother, Mother. 🖤

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Michellesibs
Mother, Mother: A Novel | Koren Zailckas
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Panpan

I was really looking forward to this, dark messed up families is up my street and what a dark messed up family these lot are but the style of writing was so offputting I found it really unenjoyable.

The writing style is drier than a desert and I state this as a fact having lived 12 years in one. This has to be the most unemotional book on the planet and each word is like a rock; rough, dumped and not gelling with its next door neighbour.

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library.lesbian
Mother, Mother: A Novel | Koren Zailckas
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Pickpick

i love this book, but it‘s not for everyone
a psychological thriller about emotional abuse, manipulation and parental neglect isn‘t exactly the type of book i would usually go for but this book gripped me and didn‘t let me go until i had finished the last page
the characters are interesting, engaging, relatable and complex
highly recommend
10/10 - read with the lights on

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LittleMummyMe
Mother, Mother: A Novel | Koren Zailckas
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Another book added to my TBR list;
An electrifying debut novel about what happens when the one who should love you the most becomes your worst enemy.
🤞🏼📚👩‍👧‍👦

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Dooplum
Mother, Mother: A Novel | Koren Zailckas
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I'm getting some major Lucille and Buster Bluth vibes from this book but only if their storyline got really dark and disturbing.

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Booknerd2
Mother, Mother: A Novel | Koren Zailckas
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Happy Mother‘s Day to all my fellow Littens!!!! I hope you get to spend it with people who love you and get to do things you enjoy. These were centerpieces at our Muffins with Mom event and if the weather cooperates I‘m going to plant them with my son today. 💜💜💜😎

Redwritinghood Happy Mother‘s Day! 6y
asiriusreader Thank you so much! Happy Mother‘s Day! 6y
81 likes2 comments
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Blaire
Mother, Mother: A Novel | Koren Zailckas
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Happy Mother‘s Day to all!! Mine has been lovely so far. Kids and dad made me breakfast and then he whisked then off to the grocery store so I can read!! Our dog Mo and I are enjoying this beautiful morning. #mothersday #readoutside

Cathythoughts ❤️happy Mother‘s Day ( our day is different here , March) enjoy 👍🏻💫 6y
AmyG Lovely 💕 6y
Redwritinghood Happy Mother‘s Day! 6y
batsy Sounds lovely. Happy Mother's Day ☺️ 6y
67 likes4 comments
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JoScho
Mother, Mother: A Novel | Koren Zailckas
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To all the amazing women who somehow manage to do it all and stay sane-you are amazing and I hope you are spoiled rotten today. 💛

AJones Thank you!!💖 6y
tournevis 😘😘😘 6y
TNbookworm 💕💕 6y
AmyG 💕💕💕 6y
Redwritinghood Thank you! 6y
123 likes5 comments
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Booksnchill
Mother, Mother: A Novel | Koren Zailckas
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#DogsOfLitsy Whiskey wishes a happy Mother‘s Day to all the Mothers of whatever type. Have a lovely day everyone!🌹💖💋🐾

JoScho I have really missed Whiskey ❤️❤️❤️ 6y
Booksnchill @joScho Thanks🐾❤️💖 6y
RebelReader I agree @JoScho I just love his face! 😘 6y
See All 10 Comments
tournevis 😘 6y
AmyG 💕💕 6y
Redwritinghood 💕💕 6y
Booknerd2 💜💜💜 Is he a wire haired doxie? 6y
Booksnchill @Booknerd2 he is indeed, a dapple 6y
Booknerd2 @booksnchill he is absolutely adorable!!! 6y
LeahBergen 💕💕💕 6y
86 likes10 comments
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BeansPage
Mother, Mother: A Novel | Koren Zailckas
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Getting Mom a present for Mother's Day? Why not get her a book? 🌺📖🌺
Check out these suggestions:
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/the-read-down/books-for-mom/?ref=PRH92C6FE7FB...

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Chocamanda
Mother, Mother: A Novel | Koren Zailckas
This post contains spoilers
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Mehso-so


Unfortunately this is one where I figured out the ending at the very beginning. If the author intended to surprise the reader with a twist, then maybe I made the mistake of listening to this one immediately after reading The Sociopath Next Door. All of the weird happenings in the book were easily explained by, "of course, because Josephine is a sociopath." Would male a great Lifetime Movie though.

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GypsyKat
Mother, Mother: A Novel | Koren Zailckas
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How great is my mom? She called me yesterday to ask if I had plans tonight, and I told her I wasn‘t leaving the house all weekend because I was going to be doing the #24in48 #Readathon so today she sent a whole dinner over! Lasagna, salad, and Italian bread. Thanks Mom! 😊🍽❤️

cobwebmoth That's so sweet! 7y
Tamra So thoughtful! 7y
Julsmarshall What a great Mama! 7y
See All 12 Comments
Hoopiefoot That‘s great! 7y
GripLitGrl That's an awesome Mom!💞 7y
Jinjer Yum and what a great mom! 7y
GypsyKat @cobwebmoth @Tamra @Julsmarshall @Hoopiefoot @GripLitGrl @Jinjer It was so nice of her! We bought a house down the street from them about two years ago, partly because we‘re close to my parents, and partly because they‘re both in their sixties now and we wanted to be near them to help with stuff. But it works out nicely. 😊 (edited) 7y
Mollyanna That is pure awesomeness on your mom‘s part! It looks very yummy. 7y
dragondrool Love this on so many levels. 💙💜💛💚💖 7y
GypsyKat @Mollyanna @dragondrool It was delicious, and super thoughtful of her! 💗 7y
[DELETED] 3803335244 Awesome mom! 7y
RadicalReader @GypsyKat olives and cheese on a salad is the best toppings ever!!! 7y
105 likes1 stack add12 comments
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HighLadyoftheStacks
Mother, Mother: A Novel | Koren Zailckas
Mehso-so

Zailckas gives a heart-wrenching portrayal of emotional and mental abuse that shows how gaslighting can destroy a persons self worth and perception of reality. I saw the big reveal coming from a mile away, but it was still satisfying when it happened. It didn‘t light my world on fire but I‘d definitely recommend it.

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HighLadyoftheStacks
Mother, Mother: A Novel | Koren Zailckas
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Sick in bed (again) means I‘ll probably finish this today.

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brookerhi
Mother, Mother: A Novel | Koren Zailckas
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November 25: #favoritegenres - My reading cocktail is a mix of suspense, dystopia, YA, & historical fiction. 🍹👍 #lilbookishthanks

TricksyTails 🍄♥️😁 7y
23 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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lauraleebc
Mother, Mother: A Novel | Koren Zailckas
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I enjoy this book while it‘s in my hands, but it‘s taken me literally over half a year to finish it. What‘s the deal? It ends TONIGHT.

RadicalReader @lauraleebc can‘t get over how beautiful your username rhymes perfection!! 7y
5 likes1 comment
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Kmiloslavich
Mother, Mother: A Novel | Koren Zailckas
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When you can‘t sleep so you decide to start a new twisted family drama 🔪

2 likes1 stack add
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Reggie
Mother, Mother: A Novel | Koren Zailckas
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The mother, Josephine, from Mother Mother qualifies as a #bitch after she pressures her oldest to abort the child she wanted but then leaves a picture of a late term aborted fetus where she knows the daughter will find it. And that‘s just one of the things she does with her three children. #rocktober

BarbaraBB 😂 that Picture! 7y
Reggie @Barbarabb lol, yeah, I love that movie. 7y
Leniverse Yikes! 😳 7y
Centique Is the pic from Mommie Dearest? OMG I was enthralled with that when I was a teenager. Right when I thought my mother was evil I was reading that. 😳😅 My poor mum! 7y
Reggie @Centique it is, lol, I gave the dvd to my mother for Mother‘s Day once. I think we all go through that phase. NO MORE WIRE HANGERS!!!!! I have never looked at a comet can the same way either since that movie. 7y
40 likes5 comments
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Reggie
Mother, Mother: A Novel | Koren Zailckas
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Pickpick

This was Mommy Dearest v2.0 about the Hurst family, told through the viewpoints of the two younger children, 12y.o. Will and 16y.o. Violet. They both tell of their alcoholic father, their manipulative mother, and their missing, older, sister Rose. What you find out real quick is that they are also unreliable narrators. This was a good story and the mother, Josephine, was a real piece of work. Good stuff.

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Angitron
Mother, Mother: A Novel | Koren Zailckas
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I know EXACTLY how I learned to love reading. Thanks mom! ❤️

Melissa_J What a lovely photo! 7y
EvieBee Beautiful! 7y
UrsulaMonarch Gorgeous! 😍📚 7y
See All 8 Comments
moranadatter You both look so happy! 📚 7y
diovival Love this! 7y
Angitron Thanks everyone! 😊 7y
BookMaven407 ❤️ love this picture! 7y
Angitron @BookMaven407 Thank you! 😊 7y
31 likes8 comments
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Bookworm54
Mother, Mother: A Novel | Koren Zailckas
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This was a good read but one that I wouldn't reread. This is a twisting thriller, with a truly horrible mother.

#MayBookFlowers #BooksAboutMothers

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Jewelms
Mother, Mother: A Novel | Koren Zailckas
Pickpick

I liked this, the main character is deliciously despicable and I could not put it down

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tasha
Mother, Mother: A Novel | Koren Zailckas
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Pickpick
29 likes3 stack adds
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Cinfhen
Mother, Mother: A Novel | Koren Zailckas
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About 40 pages into this story about a manipulative mother, who seems quite sinister. The writing is snarky and slick. (in a good way) I'm hoping this will be the book to hold my attention. If I stick with it, it will be my #LitsyAtoZ #letterZ

EvieBee Sinister moms always make for great reading, right? 8y
EKonrad Read her memoir "Smashed," so I'm curious to see what you think of this. ? 8y
98 likes10 stack adds2 comments
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Alisnazzy
Mother, Mother: A Novel | Koren Zailckas
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Sorry I haven't been around much the last week, Listy, but I've got some cold/infection that has knocked me down and then some. BUT I had to come on today to post my #favelitten @Lynnsoprano I love my mom to death. Also shoutout to @StephTKO for introducing me to Litsy and this wonderful community of Littens. I seriously love you all so much.

LiteraryinPA Aww! 8y
ElizaTodd I love this! 8y
Jenshootsweddings Stunning pic! 8y
See All 20 Comments
Moray_Reads What a beautiful picture ❤ 8y
Godmotherx5 Such a gorgeous photo. 8y
Alfoster Lovely!❤ 8y
Cinfhen 💕💕💕 8y
LeahBergen Beautiful! 8y
KarenUK 💕💕 8y
Cortg Such a happy picture! 8y
Beckys_Books What a great photo of an obviously happy day 8y
Gayan I love this picture! 8y
Merethebookgal What a great picture! 8y
LauraBeth 💕💕 8y
minkyb Best picture! ❤ 8y
LisaJo 8y
Suet624 💕💕💕 8y
Dragon Get well soon! 💕 8y
Nonaroo What a beautiful photo! 💕💕 Feel better soon!! 8y
121 likes20 comments
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Alicepondpoe
Mother, Mother: A Novel | Koren Zailckas
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"The game worked because the more Josephine played the victim, the more a person wanted to victimize her..."
Ahhhh, reading this is becoming frustrating, seeing as I have a "mother" who is very close to the character of Josephine.

2 likes1 stack add
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lhseidel
Mother, Mother: A Novel | Koren Zailckas
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"She had a bad reaction, almost physical to the thought. She was no ceramics artist where her relationships were concerned; she either cherished them or she smashed them. She had no desire to go sticking her thumbs in people, molding them to her will." Mother, Mother (Koren Zailckas)

2 likes2 stack adds
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Denimkv
Mother, Mother: A Novel | Koren Zailckas
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Current read. One of the most nuanced and interesting dynamics to me is that of a mother and daughter.

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Scithighs
Mother, Mother: A Novel | Koren Zailckas
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Pickpick

I honestly am not sure why I liked this book! I listened to it off Scribd (I love Scribd) it was very well narrated and the short chapters helped when I used it to help me get to sleep. She definitely was a nasty little mother. I think this author could get very popular.

2 likes1 stack add
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RachaelViolet
Mother, Mother: A Novel | Koren Zailckas
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Listening to Mother, Mother while stuck in Seattle traffic. Man, with each chapter I feel better and better about my own mother & my parenting skills!

mrldg Didn't know about this author bit will definitely listen to this. Another by this author, Fury, also looks good. 8y
4 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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Kecklesmarie
Mother, Mother: A Novel | Koren Zailckas
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Tonsillectomy recovery reads

1 like1 stack add
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pgh.femme
Mother, Mother: A Novel | Koren Zailckas
Pickpick

Creepy. Narcissistic mother from hell

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Jillsandypants
Mother, Mother: A Novel | Koren Zailckas
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Pickpick

I just finished Mother, Mother. Definitely a creepy mother story...although she was milder than I had hoped. What does that say about me?! Overall, a good entertaining read with some cringe-worthy moments.

3 likes1 stack add
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MelissaS
Mother, Mother: A Novel | Koren Zailckas
Pickpick

This was a story that pulled me along in disbelief. The alternating voices of Will and Violet were real and engaging. Oh, Mother!!

1 like1 stack add
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MelissaS
Mother, Mother: A Novel | Koren Zailckas
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A friend loaned this to me almost 2 years ago. Time to read it!

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Iowalibrarychick
Mother, Mother: A Novel | Koren Zailckas
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Mehso-so

This a train wreck of a book! Probably the most dysfunctional family I've come across. Just couldn't look away as this mother did everything she could to manipulate everyone in the family. Really only one likeable main character. Fascinating, but disturbing.

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lindsgillett
Mother, Mother: A Novel | Koren Zailckas
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Pickpick

Unsettling in the best way. This book is dark, creepy and amazingly well-written. Every member of this family has major secrets and honest communication is a rare occurrence. The every-other, unreliable narrators style makes it impossible to know the whole truth.l until the very end. Left me uneasy.

1 like4 stack adds