Love’s a funny thing.
I’m a big fan of weird and difficult love stories. This is because real love is never easy, and I like to see that fact realistically portrayed. And, sure, while romantic love can be mind-boggling at times, I happen to think that familial love takes the cake. It’s perhaps the most twisted, complicated form of love there is.
On that thought-provoking note, let’s move into my book review of The Mother-in-Law.
I decided to read this novel because of a Goodreads interview I found with author Sally Hepworth. The author says that her novel is not based on her own mother-in-law, and that it was actually inspired by her father-in-law, who apparently is lovely but can sometimes drive her up a wall. Who can’t relate to that when it comes to family??
The Mother-In-Law is actually billed as a suspense novel, so I started the book expecting a thriller. What I ended up reading is a fantastic and compelling novel about family drama and the complex love that exists between not only mothers and daughters, but all family members.
Don’t get me wrong — there are definitely some tense, thriller-type moments in the book. I mean, there’s a “whodunit” right from the beginning: Diana, the mother-in-law, is found dead, and seemingly not of suicide, as everyone initially thinks. The Mother-In-Law is told using lots of flashbacks and backstories, so as you wade through the emotionally charged family history, you know you’re drawing ever closer to answering The Big Question: who killed the mother-in-law?
However, the whole spot-of-murder thing kinda takes a backseat to the real star of the show, and that’s the complex, ever-changing, and poignant relationship between Diana and her daughter-in-law, Lucy.
Diana and Lucy have, I guess, what many would call a “typical” mother-and-daugther-in-law relationship. Forced into each other’s lives through marriage, they grate on each other, fail to comprehend one another, and, eventually, can’t be in the same room together – for some very valid reasons, I might add. The roadblocks in their relationship are real and relatable; you could easily see the situations happening to someone you know, or maybe you’ve experienced them yourself with your own family members. And, they don’t have to be “in-law” family members; the situations in The Mother-In-Law can easily occur between blood relatives.
What I liked best about The Mother-in-Law is that it depicts both sides of the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law relationship; the reader can see where Diana and Lucy both meant well, were misunderstood, and could have tried harder over the course of their entire relationship. You also see where they both hoped for more from the other, and walked away disappointed. I really liked the alternating point of view because it didn’t allow either woman to be vilified. You see the hurt party’s reactions to the slight, but you also get a chance to see why the agressor did what she did, even if she didn’t get a chance to share that with the hurt party.
Obviously, easy-going, “I just want to be loved!” Lucy is easier to like, but Hepworth succeeds in making you like Diana, as well, which is pretty impressive. You start off thinking Diana’s a primo biatch – she does lack certain social skills — but, after seeing a few incidents through her eyes, you start to like her, despite her characteristically brusque and closed-off nature. You learn about her past, and you cut her some slack; you admire her strengths and try to overlook her faults; and, most effectively, you see how she and her husband, Tom, love each other, and that’s what really wins you over to the “Diana is not a monster” side.
But, Lucy’s not a monster, either. No one is a monster…well, not really. I mean, let’s not forget that the story starts off with a murder victim, so, obviously, someone’s priorities in The Mother-In-Law are a little out of whack. But, Lucy’s expectations of and responses to her MIL’s actions are understandable, even defendable in certain situations. So, you don’t find yourself rooting for one woman over the other. It’s incredibly refreshing to find a story about in-laws that doesn’t pit one family member against the other. The Mother-in-Law simply tells it like it is. Eventually, you just want Lucy and Diana to hug it out and get along. You want each character to see in the other what the reader is allowed to see.
If you’re looking for a relatable, emotional, and slightly suspenseful novel, pick this one up. I breezed through The Mother-In-Law in about two days. Hepworth’s writing is wonderfully easy to fall into, and before you know it, you have to read “just one more page.” The last few chapters are particularly powerful and emotional, due to the turns Diana’s life takes.
Oh, yeah, and you also find out who killed the mother-in-law.
What other novels about family dynamics have sucked you in? I’d love to hear about them in the comments below!
And, be sure to check back in for my book-inspired recipe: Mint Chocolate Cake!
Love this review. I am going to add to my TBR shelf and nominate for my book club in the new year, as already sorted for the coming months.
You asked about other novels about family dynamics and the first one that springs to mind is Little Fires Everywhere, which many people have read and enjoyed. I enjoyed it far more after our book club discussions which focussed heavily on the family dynamics throughout the story, and now I highly recommend it based on that aspect.
Love to read your reviews and recommendations for future reading.
Katie
Thanks so much, Katie! The MIL would be a great read for a book club. There’s so much to discuss! And thanks for the recommendation of Little Fires Everywhere. I’ve heard good things about it, and it’s great to know that it contains some good family drama! I’ll have to check that one out.
Just thought I’d stop by and let you know it went down very well at book club! I listened to the audio version first and then read for book club. It ranked as one of our highest scores in 2020.
Awesome! Always a good thing when you can recommend something that doens’t get you ostracized from book club later on, haha. Thanks for the update!
This is on my TBR list, and I can’t wait to get started on it! The Little House by Philippa Gregory is a bit similar to this, in that it’s about a domineering mother-in-law, but that book was quite blunt in its depiction, whereas this sounds much more subtle 😀
Hi Nicola! Oooh, I love Philippa Gregory, but I haven’t heard of The Little House. I used to read all of her historical fiction; she’s such a brilliant writer. Sounds like this other one is more modern, though?? I will have to look into it!!! Thanks for the rec!!
Yes, it is a modern-day setting 😁 I love her historical novels too; have you tried the Wideacre series?
Not yet! I’ve worked my way through most of her Tudor novels, as well as the White Queen novel timeperiod, lol. I’ve heard good things about Wideacre, though! So many books. So little time! 😂
Great review. I really enjoyed this book too. I Didn’t know it would make me think so much! I really enjoyed Little Fires Everywhere too. I think you’d like it. After this one, I read and liked another of Sally Hepworth’s books, The Family Next Door so I’m planning on making my way through her books.
Another vote for Little Fires Everywhere! Nice. 😊 yeah, I definitely want to read more Hepworth novels. She’s such a great writer!