The Mothers' Group

Written by Fiona Higgins

Narrated by Anna Hruby

The Mothers' Group tells the story of six very different women who agree to regularly meet soon after the births of their babies. Each woman strives in her own way to become the mother she wants to be, and finds herself becoming increasingly reliant on the friendship and support of the members of the mothers' group. Until one day an unthinkably shocking event changes everything, testing their bonds and revealing closely held secrets that threaten to shatter their lives.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Wavesound from W. F. Howes Ltd
• Release date: Dec 3, 2015
• ISBN: 9781510016675

Reviews for The Mothers' Group

[kiwifortyniner · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This book is set in the Northern suburbs of Sydney.and tells the story of six mothers who meet as a mother's group after their first child is born, and become friends. The six mothers are different and varied. There is an older career mother, a Balinese bride, a mother suffering the effects of a very difficult birth, a mother with a very difficult toddler step child to manage, a single mother, and a mother whose marriage is in difficulties. Each of the mothers has a chapter to tell her story and I thought all the characters were beleivable and well portrayed. I had my favoourites. I felt the mother's did change and grow through the book. The unthinkabale tragedy towards the end of the book provided a crisis through which they were able to test the depth and strength of their friendship, and I thought the author brought the book to what was for me and satisfactory and realistic ending. A good read.

[daptolibrary · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This book inspired an interesting discussion with our group. The topic of motherhood in today’s society brought out some valid points on social economics, multiculturalism, media paranoia and child rearing in general. The majority found it a compelling read with the latter half of the book snowballing to a brave move by the author in bringing her story to a tragic end. This went a long way towards taking the story up a notch in the believable stakes. We all thought the characters well rounded and we each found our favourites within the diverse cast. Was it a realistic look at motherhood today? We think so. The shared trauma seemed to add glue to the group and we thought this was a highly likely outcome. Even with the ‘over-predictable’ label from Delia, and Mary’s ‘not able to relate’ circumstances, we still awarded it four stars, so it certainly made it into the ‘worth the read’ category.

[liciasings · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I agree with the previous reviewer. A powerful story, thought-provoking, compelling, relate-able. I knew there were secrets and surprises being revealed, but I was shocked - I wasn't ready for what was coming. This book made me laugh, think, and cry (lots of crying!)But Higgins deals with events and issues gently, with insight and compassion. The book is rich with characters, beautiful friendships and storylines, and big themes. It's a good book. I'm so glad I read it.

[shelleyraec · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Set in the Northern Beaches suburbs of Sydney, The Mothers' Group by Fiona Higgins, introduces a disparate group of women who, despite their differences in background, lifestyle and circumstances, bond during their regular Mothers' Group meetings.The novel unfolds in alternating chapters, using the third person point of view, allowing each woman to share their lives. Higgins skillfully develops believable characters to whom the reader can relate. These are mothers you most likely know - the mother who insists on organic food and natural fibers, the mother torn between her career and child rearing - but here Higgins allows us to peer into the privacy of their homes and witness their relationships and hidden desires. Higgins also provides context for her six main characters by allowing us glimpses of their families, the partners and fathers of the children. The emphasis of the novel however is on the burgeoning relationships between the women as their friendships develop from tentative interaction to a solidly supportive network.While the mothers struggle with the challenges of first time motherhood and the changes it brings, they are unwittingly hurtling towards a shocking tragedy that threatens to shatter their friendships and change them forever. Even though I expected something terrible to happen, when it came I felt I was unprepared. Higgins deals with the aftermath sensitively and realistically with an ending that is hopeful, if not happy.The Mothers' Group is an impressive fiction debut from Australian author Fiona Higgins. An insightful portrayal of first time parenthood, relationships and friendships this novel makes for compelling reading.