I truly had a great fondness for this book.

For the most part, I found it extremely difficult to put down. However, there were certain moments when it seemed to drag a bit.

I had a few wishes regarding the story. I hoped that a few loose ends could have been neatly tied up.

Also, I desired to have a better understanding of the reasons why Nikki did some of the things she did.

Moreover, I noticed an issue with the book. The one and only Black character in the entire story seemed to evoke the hypersexual Black male stereotype, which I was definitely not a fan of.

SPOILERS***

For instance, I really didn't comprehend what exactly drew Nikki to Strabane.

What was the deal with Nikki and Clare?

Did Strabane actually invite her to Rochester?

And did Nikki ever write about her grief for the paper?

On a positive note, I adored Lucille's character. It felt a bit strange to be introduced to this surprise character for the very first time at the very end and then suddenly she was gone.

Overall, despite its flaws, the book still had many aspects that kept me engaged and interested.

This book was published in 2005.

I must have picked it up at some sale and chose now as the time to read it.

I am approaching the 19th anniversary of my mother's death.

She died at 73, not violently as depicted here, two years older than I am now, and I was ready to read about someone else's grief.

Oates is, as is well-known, a masterful writer.

I couldn't help but annotate as I read - thoughtfully crafted images, emotions like mine and not, predictions about relationships with an only sister and a married lover.

I will pass this on to my adult daughters and maybe we can have some of the conversations Nikki wished she had had with her mom.

Sometimes it is good to allow a look back into grief. It gives us a chance to process our own emotions and perhaps gain a new perspective.

The book might offer insights into the complex nature of grief and how different people cope with it.

By sharing it with my daughters, we can have a deeper understanding of each other's feelings and experiences.

It could also be a way to keep the memory of my mother alive and have meaningful discussions about life and loss.

Overall, reading this book and passing it on to my daughters seems like a worthwhile and potentially healing endeavor.

Nikki discovers her mother has been murdered.

Although the murderer is quickly arrested and she wants to move on with her life, she is depressed and deeply disturbed by what has happened.

As she removes the objects from the house in order to sell it, she realizes what she misses about her mother and ends up living there.

She takes care of the cat, does with the neighbors what her mother used to do, and through all of this, she begins to get to know a different woman than the one she thought her mother was.

This new understanding helps her to come to terms with her mother's death and start to heal.

She realizes that her mother had a life and experiences that she was not aware of, and this gives her a new perspective on their relationship.

Although the pain of losing her mother will always be there, Nikki is now able to see the good in their relationship and move forward with her own life.

A very aching story unfolds as a daughter endures her first year of grief after the death of her mother. In this difficult time, she discovers a whole new side of her mother that she never knew before. Through the eyes of her relatives and friends, she hears stories and anecdotes that paint a more complete picture of her mother as a person. Her mother's writing, possessions, and habits also reveal aspects of her personality that she had never fully appreciated. It is as if her mother has become a new and fascinating person, not just the Mom she had always known. The daughter realizes that her mother's life was rich and complex, and that she had so much more to offer than she had ever realized. This new understanding brings both pain and comfort as she mourns the loss of her mother and tries to come to terms with her new reality.

RECENSIONE COMPLETA: https://ecshivers.com/2019/05/28/la-m...

Nikki, whose diminutive is Nicole, is a rebellious and unconventional woman. She loves married men and everything that can arouse wonder in others. So, when for the usual and very particular Mother's Day, she shows up at her parents' house with a bold punk-style haircut, the stunned and/or disgusted reactions of those present, (including her mother Gwen), make her feel pleased. Everyone knows that in a sense, Nikki represents the black sheep of the family. The sister who has her head on straight has always been Clare, who got married regularly to the suitor chosen by her parents and had two children. Nikki, on the contrary, has a string of failed relationships behind her and a certain strange innate instinct that leads her to flirt, and even respond, with Rob, her brother-in-law. Between the two sisters, it is surely Nikki who has not been able to meet her parents' expectations, even though the woman lives this as if she were an adolescent in a perpetual challenge with the adult world.

However, when, alarmed by a worried Clare, Nikki finds her mother's body in the garage, evidently stabbed to death, the veil of immaturity falls away and her way of understanding life and her relationship with others undergoes a change that leads her to reflect, even critically, on the past and on herself. [...] This event forces Nikki to face the harsh reality and forces her to grow up and reevaluate her actions and choices. It is a turning point in her life that will have a profound impact on her future.

After reading a lot of Mexican history, I gave myself 'Mamá' as a birthday gift, an impressive book by one of my favorite authors, Joyce Carol Oates.

The pain and loss, the orphanhood and the unease will be the constants throughout the book in a story where a crime will leave a deep mark on the central characters.

Only Oates knows how to tell with a marked rhythm an event that cuts a story like a surgical knife, leaving it like a fish without scales.

The construction that the main character makes of the evoked person when visiting those who knew her is a sample of the author's mastery in her stories. If I were you, I would run to read this book.

Oates' writing style is captivating, drawing the reader in from the very beginning. The vivid descriptions and complex characters make 'Mamá' a truly unforgettable read.

As you delve into the story, you'll find yourself completely immersed in the lives of the characters, sharing their joys and sorrows.

This book is not only a work of fiction but also a reflection on the human condition and the power of memory.

Whether you're a fan of Oates or simply looking for a thought-provoking read, 'Mamá' is definitely worth your time.

As always, Joyce Carol Oates charms me.

She has a personal and inimitable style. The book is very long and, at times, it may seem boring.

It talks about every single aspect of Nicki's life! When you are about to finish, you think: why does it continue like that? And suddenly, you realize that the author has managed to maintain a level of tension from page 20 to page 460.

Amazing! I have spent all those pages waiting for the ending that... I can't say anything more, but I consider the book a masterful exercise in literary technique.

The detailed exploration of Nicki's life is both captivating and thought-provoking.

Oates' ability to sustain the reader's interest throughout such a long work is truly remarkable.

Each page seems to unfold a new layer of Nicki's character and experiences, making the reading journey both engaging and rewarding.

Despite the initial impression of boredom, the book gradually reveals its depth and complexity, leaving the reader with a sense of awe and admiration for the author's skill.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who appreciates great literature and wants to embark on a journey of self-discovery through the eyes of a fictional character.

This is the story of how much I missed my mother. One day, in a unique way, it will also be your story.

With this premise written on a ribbon wrapped around the book, I decided to buy it. Without any prior knowledge, I ventured to read it. The novel addresses the theme of absence, of the lack of that beloved being who leaves in the worst imaginable way. But it also explores the discovery of Nikki Eaton, a thirty-something rebel and eternal black sheep of the family.

Talking about the pain of loss is not easy. It is a gloomy path that many of us have traveled or will travel at some point in our lives. I admit it has that magnetic power to draw you in, but it's not one of the books that I personally enjoy the most.

This book delves deep into the emotions of Nicole, the central protagonist.

When she discovers her mother's brutally murdered body, a whirlwind of emotions consumes her.

The story also intricately examines the interplay between Nikki, her sister, her aunts, and the townspeople.

It uncovers the complex and often tumultuous relationship between a mother and daughter.

Nikki, a modern and free-spirited individual, constantly frets about disappointing her mother.

However, it is only after her mother's untimely death that she realizes, to her surprise, that they share many similarities.

This realization brings a newfound understanding and a sense of connection that she never expected.

The book takes readers on a journey through Nicole's grief, her search for answers, and her evolving relationships with those around her.

It is a powerful exploration of love, loss, and the enduring bond between a mother and daughter.

Hmmm - what to say about a book that I picked up, read, put down, picked up...for 5 months?

It's quite a complex situation. I can say that I actually liked the characters - which is rare for me when it comes to JCO. The characters had a certain charm that gradually drew me in. I really got involved in the story...once I hit page 358.

Before that, it felt a bit of a struggle to connect. But only at that point did I feel like the main character, Nikki, was actually trying to get a sense of who her mother was as a person. It was as if a light bulb went on, and I could finally see Nikki's journey more clearly.

Only then did I start to feel some of Nikki's grief as she realized her mother was lost to her forever. That realization was so powerful and moving. My rating of 4 stars applies mostly to those last 76 pages.

They were filled with such depth and emotion. (Oh - and the scene where Nikki finds her mother's body - that scene would rate 4.5 stars. Absolutely gripping.) It was a moment that made my heart race and my eyes well up with tears.

A good family drama that delves deep into the themes of murder, loss, and grief.

Two sisters find their lives shattered when their mother is brutally murdered. The older sister had a closer bond with their mom, while the younger one, who serves as the narrator of the story, is a bit of a wild child.

Although the younger sister may not always be particularly likeable, both characters are well-developed and highly credible.

The drama also explores the concept of taking one's family for granted until they are suddenly snatched away.

It shows how we often fail to appreciate the importance of our loved ones until it's too late.

However, at its core, the story is about the journey of healing.

It's about how the sisters learn to come to terms with their loss, find strength within themselves, and move forward with their lives.

Despite the tragedy that has befallen them, they discover that there is still hope and a way to find peace and happiness again.

Overall, it's a powerful and poignant family drama that will touch the hearts of viewers and make them reflect on the value of family and the importance of cherishing every moment with those we love.

A story that truly held my interest from start to finish.

However, my only critique is that Gwen gave the impression of being significantly older than her 52 years. Her habits, such as baking bread, sewing, volunteering at church, and teaching senior citizens to swim, along with her overly kind and forgiving nature, made her seem more like a 72-year-old.

I don't know many 50-somethings who engage in such activities. She reminds me more of my mother now, at 71, rather than when she was 52.

The story explores the first year after someone has passed away, and the literal search through the mother's possessions mirrors the daughter's emotional search for her own happiness.

It makes one wonder: will we be remembered by the things we did while we were alive, or by the secrets we have left behind?

This thought-provoking aspect adds an extra layer of depth to the story and keeps the reader engaged until the very end.