Plot Summary

That Kind of Mother

Rumaan Alam
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That Kind of Mother

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2018

Book Brief

Rumaan Alam

That Kind of Mother

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2018
Book Details
Pages

304

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Washington, D.C. • Contemporary

Theme
Publication Year

2018

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

Rebecca Stone, a first-time mother and poet, adopts the child of her nanny, Priscilla, after Priscilla's death, navigating the complexities of motherhood, race relations, and personal growth while striving to balance her career and family life. The novel explores themes of motherhood, adoption, interracial family dynamics, and personal identity.

Contemplative

Emotional

Bittersweet

Reviews & Readership

3.2

8,393 ratings

32%

Loved it

43%

Mixed feelings

25%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Rumaan Alam’s That Kind of Mother is celebrated for exploring motherhood and race with emotional depth and sensitivity. Critics praise its vivid character development and evocative prose. However, some find its pacing uneven and certain plot elements underdeveloped. Overall, it's seen as a thought-provoking, if occasionally flawed, narrative.

Who should read this

Who Should Read That Kind of Mother?

Readers who would enjoy That Kind of Mother by Rumaan Alam are likely fans of nuanced family dramas and contemporary social issues. With themes similar to those in Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng and Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid, this novel appeals to those interested in the intersections of race, privilege, and motherhood.

3.2

8,393 ratings

32%

Loved it

43%

Mixed feelings

25%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

304

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Washington, D.C. • Contemporary

Theme
Publication Year

2018

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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