Author Arlene Matthews takes readers through the throes of adolescence and the complexity of parental love, so often laced with ambition, expectation, and pride with a plot peppered with genuine humor, uplifting affection, and even a few salacious twists. All the story’s elements are masterfully demonstrated through witty dialogue, and complexly loveable characters, especially Josie and her son, Torre.
Matthews’ humor comes to life through her vivid descriptions of Country Day social and political intrigues and the pretension her protagonist encounters. Readers will chuckle along as Josie fumbles through hidden dysfunction, silly elitism, unsolved conflicts and vapid relationships, only to become the center of intrigue and gossip herself.
There are a few drawbacks and slow points throughout the novel. Matthews begins many chapters with pages from Torre’s journal. Offering insight into his character is a clever narrative tool, but it is printed in children’s handwriting. This device is repeated in other contexts. Readers will either find these entries to be whimsical and fun, or distracting and contrived. Keeping track of the characters was trying at first, and the start was a little slow. However, readers should press on and follow Josie through her heartwarming struggles to fit in while staying true to herself, her heroic support for her son, and her comical mishaps along the way.
The Mothers of Country Day is a refreshing and enjoyable read. While the premise and characters seem ordinary and realistic, the plot is anything but predictable and comes to a rewarding conclusion.
Reviewed by Julia Sorrentino for IndieReader