The Mothers' Group

By M. Elizabeth Clark

Four unconventional women's lives intersect when they join a mothers' group in San Francisco. Each is searching for something different in the sophisticated and secretive Mothers' Group, and each is... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0974289469
• ISBN13: 9780974289465
• Release Date: January 2005
• Publisher: Huton Electronic Pub
• Length: 384 Pages
• Weight: 1.65 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.5" x 1.0" x 6.3"

Customer Reviews

Entertaining

If you are looking for a fun and entertaining read with a little more beneath the surface, this is it. In this character-driven story, the author makes use of a number of contrasts. She introduces us to characters that are somewhat familiar, yet very surprising. You root for them and ultimately like them, but you are simultaneously angered by their very real and relatable weaknesses. She portrays San Francisco society with a hefty (and much appreciated) dose of irony, while still preserving the humanity of the characters and their issues. San Francisco itself is a central character in the book, and the author introduces us to aspects of the city not often depicted in books and movies (and usually reserved for books about Manhattan). Finally, I was very happy to read a book about mothers that really was about mothers (and not about their kids). Although the children make appearances, this book is thankfully not about the kids.

A deliciously witty look at modern motherhood!

A deliciously witty novel exploring the emotional and social minefield that is modern motherhood. Set against a fascinating and vividly drawn backdrop of San Francisco's upper crust, Clark's characters will be immediately recognisable to anyone who has navigated the post-professional mommy world. An irreverent and honest look at the increasing cult of perfectionism that pervades motherhood, this book reads like Bridget Jones crossed with Vicky Iovine. Effortlessly addictive and endlessly amusing, I devoured it in one weekend!

Couldn't put it down!

What a fun book this was! I loved the characters, the setting, the story line - all very addictive. Easy reading, too. I probably related to Molly the most. Thank you, Elizabeth Clark!

Hilarious AND it makes you think.

This book is about the lives of 4 new mothers in San Francisco, and the extra dimension that is added to their lives when they join the "Mother's Group". It is part high society gossip column, part a series of vignettes of hilarious events that any new parent can identify with, and part meditation on the mental adjustment required when highly educated professional women decide to become stay-at-home moms. On one level this is just a very funny read. But, more than in most books of this genre, the characters really come to life, and in several places I found myself thinking "Oh, that is just like so and so". Perhaps most importantly, at the same time you are laughing at what these characters get up to, you can't help thinking about the huge energy and talent that these mothers have and whether society might not be missing an opportunity to take better advantage of whatever cycles they have left after doing their "mother" thing. I devoured it in two evenings. I strongly recommend it.

Truly insightful of the true San Francisco!

Being a native San Franciscan myself, I truly enjoyed this engrossing, entertaining novel. Ms. Clark clearly has her finger on the pulse of life in 'the City by the Bay'! This book follows in the footsteps of other "only in San Francisco" novels such as Tales of the City, which makes it a must read for anyone who has left their heart in San Francisco. Since San Francisco is such a dynamic, ever-changing place, it is nearly impossible to stay of top of the current trends and ethos -- and yet Ms. Clark does just that with this fantastic literary foray! Yet it is also a story that people from anywhere in the world can relate to, men and women, especially those of us in the child-rearing stage. I have recommended this book to several people already.