A Mother and Two Daughters

By Gail Godwin

Book Overview

"A big, entertaining novel...Rich in character and place and humanity...Gail Godwin is a wonderful writer." THE BOSTON GLOBE At the death of Leonard Strickland, beloved Southern gentleman, husband and father, his family is faced with the unknown. Nell always relied on the husband of her youth for security and friendship. Fiercely independent Cate and perfect Lydia have spent their lives vying for the love and approval their father generously gave. And as each woman begins to view her life, her past, and the possibilities of the future with new eyes, each belatedly discovers that life and death are impossible to plan, and that the past that has kept them apart can bring them closer to themselves and one another....

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0670490210
• ISBN13: 9780670490219
• Release Date: January 1982
• Publisher: Penguin Publishing Group
• Length: 564 Pages
• Weight: 2.30 lbs.
• Dimensions: 20.0" x 20.0" x 20.0"

Customer Reviews

Definitely worth the read

A Southern writer, Godwin captures the family life of the titular characters after the father dies. The women are all very different, but this touching book shows how family is important and how being independent isn't a bad thing. After the father's death, each character examines her life and future. I found it very real and interesting. Though the epilogue was a bit blah.

mother and two daughters

Mother and Two Daughters - After the death of their father, Cate, a woman with a crusading streak, and and her more conventional sister Lydia must learn to come to terms with their differences. The three main characters: Cate, newly divorced Lydia, and their mother Nell are well-drawn and three dimensional. While Cate deals with the possible loss of her teaching job and a new boyfriend, Lydia faces life as a single woman; she goes back to college and gets a job. Well written and intriguing, though the last chapter felt too calculated.

Loved It!

I don't understand the 1 star either. This is one of my favorite books of all time. You come to really care about the characters. The mother 'not true to herself'? I don't understand that at all. Self-sacrificing maybe .... in a way many mothers are. All in all, I've got nothing but good things to say.