Rating: 
Summary: The Good Mother
Review: I first read "While I was Gone" and became hooked on Sue Miller's writing. Just had to read "The Good Mother" and found it even better. Miller has the uncanny ability of taking flawed characters and allowing us to find some redeeming qualities, some reason to like them. Her words trigger something in all of us, that no matter how sad the story, you can't lay the book down. It haunts you days after you read it. The story focuses on Anna's poor parenting, yet Miller subtly uses the court testimony of the psychiatrist to define Anna's better qualities, and explains why, despite her irrational sexual behavior, she was a "good mother." Prior to Leo, Anna developed an emotional bond with Molly, giving her a sense of security and inner strength. And despite the tormented years that would inevitably follow the divorce and custody battle, we're told that Molly will survive emotionally because Anna is her "inner parent." She, in effect, became a piece of Molly forever. To many, that would make Anna a "good mother." Thought provoking book and author.
Rating:
Summary: The Good Mother
Review: I first read "While I was Gone" and became hooked on Sue Miller's writing. Just had to read "The Good Mother" and found it even better. Miller has the uncanny ability of taking flawed characters and allowing us to find some redeeming qualities, some reason to like them. Her words trigger something in all of us, that no matter how sad the story, you can't lay the book down. It haunts you days after you read it. The story focuses on Anna's poor parenting, yet Miller subtly uses the court testimony of the psychiatrist to define Anna's better qualities, and explains why, despite her irrational sexual behavior, she was a "good mother." Prior to Leo, Anna developed an emotional bond with Molly, giving her a sense of security and inner strength. And despite the tormented years that would inevitably follow the divorce and custody battle, we're told that Molly will survive emotionally because Anna is her "inner parent." She, in effect, became a piece of Molly forever. To many, that would make Anna a "good mother." Thought provoking book and author.
Rating: 
Summary: Very graphic sexual description's
Review: I have read the other reviews and find it odd that no one has mentioned the very graphic details of Anna and Leo's encounter's. I was very surprised by this because I was not expecting this book to be what I would consider soft porn. I point this out because I could see where this book could be very offensive to some readers.The story is good. The writing is well done. I would recommend this book highly. But, I would also mention that it really needs a XX rating too.
Rating:
Summary: Realistic for it's subject matter
Review: I just finished reading the book. The characters are developed well enough, but a lot of the book is pretty predictible. You know where the story is leading until near the end. The story goes how you would likely expect, other than the fact that it was actually written back in the mid 80's and things have changed since then. It might have had more impact back when it was written. There is a lot of the main charactor's family history in the book, which is interesting, but it never really does tie in much to where she is in her life. The book was ok reading, but not one I would highly recommend. I am about to read her book "While I Was Gone". We'll see if it is any better.
Rating: 
Summary: Who cares.........
Review: I just finished reading this book, complaining the whole way how I did not like it. I should have put it down, but I thought it had to get better at some point. There was too much sex (graphic sometimes)and no substance. While You Were Gone by Sue Miller was better.
Rating:
Summary: Who cares.........
Review: I just finished reading this book, complaining the whole way how I did not like it. I should have put it down, but I thought it had to get better at some point. There was too much sex (graphic sometimes)and no substance. While You Were Gone by Sue Miller was better.
Rating:
Summary: OK, but "While I Was Gone" was much better...
Review: I picked up this book because "While I Was Gone" was so interesting...but this book really falls flat. I thought parts were interesting, but mostly it seemed out of date. Maybe because it is 15 years old and women have progressed so much in those 15 years. I have never found myself compromising my "passion" for my children, but I am not Anna. If you are choosing between this and Sue Miller's latest work, please choose "While I Was Gone"
Rating:
Summary: A 'good' mother with no clue...
Review: I read this book because the author was recently recognized by Oprah and I thought I would try the book. It was very disappointing. This mother has been an at-home mom for only a couple of years and decides to get a divorce because she feels empty. She goes on to build a life for herself with shallow relationships and limited contact with family or old friends. She is empty--- and clueless. She meets a guy at the laundrymat and they begin a torrid sexual affair that apparently takes her breath..and her mind away. She doesn't seem to have any insight into herself or those around her...has no long term relationships with anyone and holds contempt for those who have been in her life for years. I could not identify with her or her situation in the least and thought her behavior bordered on child neglect in many instances. She got what she deserved but her child certainly did not. I find it disturbing that this mother is one the author would call 'good'...by my definition, she is far from it.
Rating:
Summary: A Chilling and Quite Accurate Portrayal of the Possibilities
Review: I read this book for the first time when I was still married to my ex-husband. It affected me, but I was somewhat removed from it. When he left the home (leaving behind his daughter- Molly's age), I found myself reading it again and took the entire book as a warning sign. Sue Miller has written a frighteningly accurate portrayal of the divorce and custody process, and has driven home the point that you just never know what's going to happen. When your life and the life of your child(ren) are in the hands of a judge and an angry ex-spouse, heads can either roll or you'll come out on top. I honestly didn't expect for Molly to be placed in the custody of her father until I read the actual paragraph. I suppose I was pulling for her too hard, as a fellow mother. Miller does a wonderful job of enveloping the reader in her world and making us go through the situations the characters are experiencing. So sad . . . One word about Anna's and Leo's sexual behavior where Molly was concerned: the puritanical part of me really disagreed with some of the choices, such as continuing to have sex with Molly in the bed and walking around naked in front of her. After all, Leo is not her father and is, when it comes down to it, simply Anna's boyfriend. I cannot imagine in a million years allowing my boyfriend to waltz around naked in front of my daughter. I can see how a judge would find that kind of behavior potential damaging and confusing. BUT, I do not think it merited Molly's being taken out of Anna's home. Perhaps some visits from a social worker or some counseling for Anna and Leo would have been more appropriate. There are so many schools of thought and differing opinions on this, but there's mine to add to the mix. Wonderful, thought-provoking, emotional book. Made me want to go out and get other Sue Miller titles. One last thing: when Leo pursuaded Anna into having an abortion when he claimed to love her so much, etc., it made me want to slap him. I found him to be an irresponsible, beatnik [person]. Anna could've done better but he was placed into her life to show the differences between the buttoned-down world she came from and the "free-sprited," artistic world she stepped into when her marriage disintegrated.
Rating:
Summary: A Chilling and Quite Accurate Portrayal of the Possibilities
Review: I read this book for the first time when I was still married to my ex-husband. It affected me, but I was somewhat removed from it. When he left the home (leaving behind his daughter- Molly's age), I found myself reading it again and took the entire book as a warning sign. Sue Miller has written a frighteningly accurate portrayal of the divorce and custody process, and has driven home the point that you just never know what's going to happen. When your life and the life of your child(ren) are in the hands of a judge and an angry ex-spouse, heads can either roll or you'll come out on top. I honestly didn't expect for Molly to be placed in the custody of her father until I read the actual paragraph. I suppose I was pulling for her too hard, as a fellow mother. Miller does a wonderful job of enveloping the reader in her world and making us go through the situations the characters are experiencing. So sad . . . One word about Anna's and Leo's sexual behavior where Molly was concerned: the puritanical part of me really disagreed with some of the choices, such as continuing to have sex with Molly in the bed and walking around naked in front of her. After all, Leo is not her father and is, when it comes down to it, simply Anna's boyfriend. I cannot imagine in a million years allowing my boyfriend to waltz around naked in front of my daughter. I can see how a judge would find that kind of behavior potential damaging and confusing. BUT, I do not think it merited Molly's being taken out of Anna's home. Perhaps some visits from a social worker or some counseling for Anna and Leo would have been more appropriate. There are so many schools of thought and differing opinions on this, but there's mine to add to the mix. Wonderful, thought-provoking, emotional book. Made me want to go out and get other Sue Miller titles. One last thing: when Leo pursuaded Anna into having an abortion when he claimed to love her so much, etc., it made me want to slap him. I found him to be an irresponsible, beatnik [person]. Anna could've done better but he was placed into her life to show the differences between the buttoned-down world she came from and the "free-sprited," artistic world she stepped into when her marriage disintegrated.
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