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. ( )

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. ( )

read this in a few days as it hums along. It brought laughter as I recalled 'mothers coffe group' days. We(as mothers) have most probably been in a mother's group in the first year of our new baby's life. Great friendships can be forged, ideologically driven battles can rage...in a passive aggressive way!There is always the one who pulls everyone together - tunes in to what the mums seems to need and there are mums that can barely hold it together for each day with their new little one. Fiona Higgins has captured the dynamics perfectly! The 'bombshell' 3 parts in left me cold and I just HAD to finish the book to know the outcomes and how their friendships would fare. ( )

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. ( )

The plot of THE MOTHERS’ GROUP is centred on a group of women whose local mother and child health centre sets up in order to provide support for each other after the births of their babies. All the women are first time mothers, although one has a step-son, and they all live in and around Sydney’s Northern Beaches. There’s a workaholic and older mum, Ginie; a Balinese bride, Made, who is far from her family; Suzie is a single mum who embraces the alternative lifestyle; Pippa suffers from the after effects of a birth gone wrong along with postnatal depression; Cara, whose marriage is in trouble; and Miranda, who is stepmum to a very demanding toddler. Each of these women has at least one motherly something that I could relate to.

The six characters take it in turn to tell the story and to take the reader back to who they are, how they met the father of their child and their situation now. Some of the mums are coping just fine, others are really struggling as they were not prepared for the reality of having a squalling, often smelly and extremely demanding little human in their lives. I could SO relate! Sleepless nights have to be the most effective way to destroy a person’s grip on sanity. Fiona Higgins is spot on in how she has depicted the range of emotions and problems that a first time mother goes through – and a second time come to think of it as Miranda has the same problems as the other mums, but with an active toddler as well.

Despite all the drama going on THE MOTHERS’ GROUP is no depressing in any way shape or form. From the first meeting the connections are made and the first tentative steps to friendship begin. The story follows the women for a year and then comes the first year celebration picnic outing and all hell breaks loose. Friendships are tested, marriages are tested and each of the women has to find the strength to build a life out of the tatters of that day and the aftermath. THE MOTHERS’ GROUP is a wonderful story that I recommend to all mums and to those who have friends and relations who are mums. I defy you to read this book and not have a better understanding of what a new mum could be going through.
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