An intergenerational story, simply yet strikingly woven, The Mother Gene by Lynne Bryant tells the story of three generations of Stewart women and how they’ve lived their lives, the choices they’ve made, and the ways in which they’ve become mothers. The story is set in a span of five days in the summer of 2010, from gynecologist Dr. Miriam Stewart’s last day of work to the evening of her being awarded a five-million-dollar grant. The five days see Miriam’s different selves that she works to keep separate come clashing together—doctor, mother, daughter, friend, and lover.

The series of incidents that are effortlessly strung together without seeming contrived remind the reader that life is characterized by an all-togetherness; rarely, if ever, do events happen sequentially; instead, they happen all at once. Miriam and her daughter Olivia discover more about their mother and grandmother, Lillian, a strong, quiet woman who lives in the mountains of Virginia by herself. The story is told via flashbacks and memories, neatly compiled, and the segues in time are easy to follow. Hints of a dark past are so subtle as to have the reader second-guessing what they think the story is about. Bryant’s drawing of a family is not necessarily blood relations, but as ever-present persons, in whatever shape or size, although an overt theme, is done with skill. The book’s strongest point is the quiet acceptance of different choices, lives, and loves without judgment.

The Mother Gene by Lynne is a well-written, gripping, and intense story with well-developed characters and a strong storyline. The narrative is well-researched and well-told, and most importantly, the narration makes it impossible for the reader to not empathize with the characters and their lifestyles.

Pages: 330 | ISBN : 1639886834