From Matthew Dicks, the beloved author of Memoirs of an Imaginary Friend, comes The Other Mother, a novel about a teenage boy coping with the rupture of his family by viewing his mother in an unusual light. The one he loves most, is the one he knows least. Thirteen-year-old Michael Parsons is dealing with a lot. His father’s sudden death; his mother’s new husband, Glen, who he loathes; his two … mother’s new husband, Glen, who he loathes; his two younger siblings, who he looks after more and more now that his mother works extra shifts.
And then one day, Michael wakes up and his mother is gone. In her place is an exact, duplicate mother. The ‘other mother’. No one else seems to notice the real version is missing. His brother, his sister, and even Glen act as if everything’s normal. But Michael knows in his heart that this mother is not his. And he begins to panic.
What follows is a big-hearted coming-of-age story of a boy struggling with an unusual disorder that poses unparalleled challenges–but also, as he discovers, offers him unique opportunities.
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Michael’s father died of a heart attack a couple of years ago leaving the family grieving. His mother works long hours as a nurse and he has a younger sister and brother. He is often tasked with looking out for them. Michael is upset that his mother has now married Glen, a loser whom he cannot stand. The man is lazy and doesn’t earn any money as he’s always looking for a get rich scheme.
Today, Michael sees his mother in the kitchen and is totally convinced that even though she looks like his mother, he knows she is an imposter and calls her the other mother.
This story follows Michael through his days at school and how he is seen by others. He tries to fit in, but it’s very difficult for him. His next door neighbor, Sarah, is in his classes at school. She is very pretty and he likes her a lot. In this story, she is a very astute young girl who seems to understand Michael when others don’t. I liked Sarah and I know any mother would be proud to have a daughter like her. Michael often gets into trouble at school mostly because he says things he shouldn’t even if they’re true.
I enjoyed reading about Michael and the problems and secrets that troubled him. I just wanted to give him a hug. Children like this need lots of understanding and they need someone they can trust to open up to. I predict that Michael will be an outstanding man when he grows up. An unusual story but one I think many parents can connect with.
Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Michael is convinced his mother has been replaced. She looks and talks like his mother, but she isn’t his mother. He’s not sure why his brother and sister don’t see it, but he wants to uncover the truth. Michael is incredibly insightful. I highlighted so many things he said or thought, and I think his insight will stick with me for a long time. He’s also very clever, and he makes for a good main character.
When I read the blurb, I immediately thought of Coraline. But we didn’t get that at all with this, and that’s okay. This is definitely more a book about Michael’s hardships, of struggling with loss and keeping secrets. He has a lot of responsibility, and sometimes it’s too much for him. Let’s be honest, his mother was less than stellar, and that didn’t help his anxiety at all. I feel the author rushed the ending. We spent all of this time watching Michael, convinced in his beliefs, to have it wrap up too quickly at the end. I would have liked to see that fleshed out a bit more.
I appreciate that the author included so many real-life issues in the story, including bullying, suicide, and mental health. Michael is a very special young man. Overall, The Other Mother is a quick and enjoyable read. Thank you, St. Martin’s, for sending this along.
A coming of age book with an unusual twist!
Michael is a thirteen year old who is angry. He is always in trouble. He dislikes school and trust very few people.
In Michael’s defense, life has not been easy for him these days.
His father unexpectedly died, his Mom works all the time and Michael is now always in charge of his younger siblings. In addition, he also has a deadbeat stepdad.
One morning he looks at his Mom and realizes she is a “fake”. This woman may look like his Mom in many ways, but she is not. Where did his mother go?
Who can Michael trust to tell that she is gone?
Will anyone believe him?
What is going on?
This is a heartfelt, touching story that I truly enjoyed.
Definitely an interesting read!