Not Logged in.
Book Jacket

The Kindest Lie


A timely and soul-stirring novel about the lies families tell each other and the...
Summary and Reviews
Excerpt
Reading Guide
Author Biography

The Kindest Lie examines the sacrifices and complexities of motherhood. What do Ruth, Mama, Lena, Verna, and Natasha reveal about what it means to be a mother in contemporary America?

Created: 01/27/22

Replies: 9

Posted Jan. 27, 2022 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
barrye

Join Date: 07/20/14

Posts: 50

The Kindest Lie examines the sacrifices and complexities of motherhood. What do Ruth, Mama, Lena, Verna, and Natasha reveal about what it means to be a mother in contemporary America?

The Kindest Lie examines the sacrifices and complexities of motherhood. What do Ruth, Mama, Lena, Verna, and Natasha reveal about what it means to be a mother in contemporary America?


Posted Jan. 28, 2022 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
melanieb

Join Date: 08/30/14

Posts: 265

RE: The Kindest Lie examines the ...

There is not one definition of what it means to be a mother. Giving up or losing a child doesn’t mean you are not a mother.


Posted Jan. 29, 2022 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
ashleighp

Join Date: 09/15/20

Posts: 33

RE: The Kindest Lie examines the ...

We are all doing our damn best as mothers. This book reminds us that you don’t always know what someone else is going through and your best is not someone else’s best. And you can be doing your best while someone is also doing their best but something different.


Posted Jan. 31, 2022 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
acstrine

Join Date: 02/06/17

Posts: 438

RE: The Kindest Lie examines the ...

I think reading books where different types of mothers are portrayed helps me to be less judgmental. It is real easy to see an interaction at the grocery store in passing, or read a short clip in the paper and think I know better than the mother at the center of attention at the time- -that I know what the mother SHOULD be doing with her child- -how I would handle it sooo much better. Getting a little more background about different mothers through literature really drives home the refrain "everyone is doing the absolute best she can with what she has at the time". The next time I catch myself rolling my eyes at one's behavior, I will be better able to remember that there is always more to the story at any one moment in time and that it is none of my business.


Posted Jan. 31, 2022 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
rosemaryc

Join Date: 05/07/16

Posts: 25

RE: The Kindest Lie examines the ...

The book portrays the burdens of mothers and those serving in that role.The pressure to be perfect is there, causing shame to all, since no one can be perfect. Our society places higher expectations on mothers to make excellent decisions than on fathers.


Posted Jan. 31, 2022 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
kimk

Join Date: 10/16/10

Posts: 889

RE: The Kindest Lie examines the ...

I really like acstrine's answer to this. It's something I hadn't thought about before, that stories about mothers can help one be more empathetic toward other mothers (our own, and those we meet in public). I think long story short, each woman is doing what she thinks is best to raise her child.


Posted Feb. 01, 2022 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
carriem

Join Date: 10/19/20

Posts: 237

RE: The Kindest Lie examines the ...

The book does show the decisions mothers must make throughout their children's lives even if not involved with their lives that burden still lives within them but I feel fathers often play a significant or sometimes more significant role. Others such as other relatives or close friends play a role as shown by Ruth's friends.


Posted Feb. 02, 2022 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
jos

Join Date: 03/14/21

Posts: 139

RE: The Kindest Lie examines the ...

Life presents different situations at different times so that’s an individual answer for married, single, or someone that steps in to fill those shoes
I like that the author gave us so many different perspectives of different mothers making the story feel more authentic.


Posted Feb. 02, 2022 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
KAM9232006

Join Date: 12/03/11

Posts: 8

RE: The Kindest Lie examines the ...

Being a mother is one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever done, but it is also one of the hardest. I think all of the women in the book show us that no matter what age they are they are always evolving and trying their hardest to make the lives of their children easier.


Posted Feb. 25, 2022 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
taking.mytime's Gravatar
taking.mytime

Join Date: 03/29/16

Posts: 364

RE: The Kindest Lie examines the ...

Being a mother is hard work. Being a caregiver is hard work. That is exactly what motherhood is - sacrifices and complexities. There is not one way to be a mother and sometimes even motherhood fluctuates and can come and go. It is every woman doing the best she can for each individual child. Sacrifices and complexities...


Reply

Please login to post a response.