Her Mother's Daughter by Alice Fitzgerald

HER MOTHER'S DAUGHTER

ALICE FITZGERALD

1980: Josephine flees her home in Ireland, hoping never to return. She starts a new, exciting life in London, but as much as she tries, she can't quite leave the trauma of her childhood behind.

Seventeen years and two children later, Josephine gets a call from her sister to tell her that their mother is dying and wants to see her - a summons she can't refuse.

1997: Ten-year-old Clare is counting down to the summer holidays, when she is going to meet her grandparents in Ireland for the first time. She hopes this trip will put an end to her mum's dark moods - and drinking.

But family secrets can't stay buried forever and following revelations in Ireland, everything starts to unravel. Have Josephine and her daughter passed the point of no return?

Fitzgerald's debut novel is ambitious. She writes a story which spans two decades, uses two narrative voices - one of which is a ten year old girl - and explores the continuing consequences of physical and emotional abuse on the characters' lives, relationship with each other and also within their family. However, Fitzgerald is a confident, accomplished writer and she expertly handles the converging story lines, the emotional heartache of the characters and the complex issues they face. The prose is clear, fluent and captures both the voice of a young girl trying to make sense of what is happening around her, as well as the voice of a mother who is suffering deep psychological pain. 

I think the most impressive thing about this novel is Fitzgerald's ability to create characters who feel

heartbreakingly real. It is impossible not to be affected by both Clare and Josephine's narratives. Clare's suffering at her mother's temper, anger and deep unhappiness are hard to read at times but as the reader then goes back to learn more about Josephine's history, it becomes easier to see just why and how the situation has become so desperate. Josephine's complex psychologically is portrayed very effectively. Her behaviour and emotional responses are raw, brutally honest and capture the intensity of her mental health with an authenticity and conviction which has an incredible effect on the reader. 

There were a few passages and scenes that were hard to read. The relationship between a mother and her daughter is such a complicated relationship, and one that is so difficult to navigate even when there are no deep or dark secrets lurking threateningly in the past, that Fitzgerald cannot avoid provoking an emotional response from her readers but this real sense of hurt and pain is what makes it such a strong novel. The relationship between mother and daughter is also one that will always fascinate and intrigue readers, as will a story looking at the repercussions of deep family secrets; Fitzgerald therefore takes both these things and delivers a moving and thought provoking novel. 

Although this story depicts the effects of emotional and physical abuse with brutal honesty, it is also a novel which reflects on a wider, more universal exploration of mental health, the role of a mother, parenting and formative experiences. It also captures the time and place very convincingly. The details about location and setting make the book feel even more real and immerse the reader further within the stories of Clare and Josephine. 

I was reminded of Once in a House on Fire by Angela Ashworth - although it is a very long time since I read this book, and there are many novels out there which deal with some of the issues Fitzgerald tackles here. However, this novel does stand out. Perhaps it is the contrast of Clare's young voice and her recounting of events which lead the reader to begin to join the dots, particularly when further revelations are shown from Josephine's back story that makes it stand out. Perhaps it is this contrast which creates both tension and sometimes reprieve from each storyline which makes it feel more original. Perhaps it is just the sheer honesty, determination not to hide the messy, desperately difficult and desperately sad moments in the characters lives which will go on to define them, shape them and haunt them as their journey continues. 

Despite the bleakness of the novel, it is one that warrants reading. I keep finding myself using the words convincing, authentic, moving and emotive but these are the words that capture the atmosphere and tone of the pages. This is a novel which is hard to forget and with characters that you form a relationship with, reluctant to leave them but satisfied they are safe as the novel comes to a close. For a debut novel it is impressive and I would be interested to see what Fitzgerald writes next. 

Her Mother's Daughter is published by Allen & Unwin on 4th April 2018.

My thanks to the author and publisher for sending me a copy of the book.