Stories about or including mothers
May 14, 2017 12:26 PM Subscribe
What are some stories in movies, books, and videogames in which mothers are present, and have a big narrative role?
This question is prompted by this post on the Blue. I found myself struggling to think of satisfying counterexamples and thought I would turn to the hive mind.
Here are my criteria:
1. The mother is a major character that helps to drive the story forward. She's not a quiet, supporting presence left at home or someone who the protagonist only interacts with for brief moments. Ideally she is either the protagonist or a primary member of an ensemble cast.
2. She isn't removed from the narrative through death, falling into a magical coma, or running away. That is, no copouts - no mothers who drive the story forward because the protagonist is trying to rescue or avenge them. They need to have an active role that continues throughout the story.
3. She isn't a villain.
4. The actions she takes that are relevant to the narrative leave the domestic or interpersonal sphere. What I mean by this is, although her being a mother may be important to the plot, she does stuff that affects the wider world.
An example of something that I don't think fits my criteria: Maid in Manhattan, because although we see the heroine at her job, it isn't really a story about her job, it's a story about her interpersonal relationship with the male lead. It's a romantic comedy, not a political thriller.
An example that might fit my criteria is Cersei from Game of Thrones, because although her actions are very much driven by her family relationships, it's a story about a political power struggle that she plays a major role in. But she's a bit borderline because it depends on if you think she's a villain.
If you have an example for me, I'd really appreciate a short explanation of what the story is about, what genre it is, and what the character's role is within the story (protagonist, member of ensemble cast, etc).
This question is prompted by this post on the Blue. I found myself struggling to think of satisfying counterexamples and thought I would turn to the hive mind.
Here are my criteria:
1. The mother is a major character that helps to drive the story forward. She's not a quiet, supporting presence left at home or someone who the protagonist only interacts with for brief moments. Ideally she is either the protagonist or a primary member of an ensemble cast.
2. She isn't removed from the narrative through death, falling into a magical coma, or running away. That is, no copouts - no mothers who drive the story forward because the protagonist is trying to rescue or avenge them. They need to have an active role that continues throughout the story.
3. She isn't a villain.
4. The actions she takes that are relevant to the narrative leave the domestic or interpersonal sphere. What I mean by this is, although her being a mother may be important to the plot, she does stuff that affects the wider world.
An example of something that I don't think fits my criteria: Maid in Manhattan, because although we see the heroine at her job, it isn't really a story about her job, it's a story about her interpersonal relationship with the male lead. It's a romantic comedy, not a political thriller.
An example that might fit my criteria is Cersei from Game of Thrones, because although her actions are very much driven by her family relationships, it's a story about a political power struggle that she plays a major role in. But she's a bit borderline because it depends on if you think she's a villain.
If you have an example for me, I'd really appreciate a short explanation of what the story is about, what genre it is, and what the character's role is within the story (protagonist, member of ensemble cast, etc).
This is a television show, but I think it hits your criteria: Grey's Anatomy
1- The titular character, Meredith, becomes a mother in season 7 (we are in season 13 now). Her struggles with balancing motherhood with her work and other obligations is a major part of the show.
2- She's still alive, and given her role will probably live until the series finale.
3- Not a villain.
4- She's a mother but also a surgeon.
posted by schroedingersgirl at 12:37 PM on May 14, 2017 [1 favorite]
1- The titular character, Meredith, becomes a mother in season 7 (we are in season 13 now). Her struggles with balancing motherhood with her work and other obligations is a major part of the show.
2- She's still alive, and given her role will probably live until the series finale.
3- Not a villain.
4- She's a mother but also a surgeon.
posted by schroedingersgirl at 12:37 PM on May 14, 2017 [1 favorite]
Also, John Irving's The World According to Garp. The titular character (T.S. Garp's) mother (Jenny Fields) is a major character throughout the book. She shapes Garp's persona and also develops the plot in important ways.
posted by schroedingersgirl at 12:40 PM on May 14, 2017 [4 favorites]
posted by schroedingersgirl at 12:40 PM on May 14, 2017 [4 favorites]
There are so many films with strong mother characters.
Norma Rae link to synopsis
Erin Brokovich link to synopsis
Places in the Heart link to synopsis
The character Ripley from the Alien films. Ultra bad ass. Not a mother in all of them but definitely worth mentioning.
posted by the webmistress at 12:43 PM on May 14, 2017
Norma Rae link to synopsis
Erin Brokovich link to synopsis
Places in the Heart link to synopsis
The character Ripley from the Alien films. Ultra bad ass. Not a mother in all of them but definitely worth mentioning.
posted by the webmistress at 12:43 PM on May 14, 2017
Ooops also forgot to include the film Not Without My Daughter, which was a book first. Sally Field stars in it, and has actually starred in many strong mom roles, including two more I mentioned above.
posted by the webmistress at 12:46 PM on May 14, 2017
posted by the webmistress at 12:46 PM on May 14, 2017
Nanny Ogg and later, Magrat Garlick, from Terry Pratchett's Discworld fantasy novel series, are mothers who Get Shit Done. Both are accomplished witches--- Nanny is older and actually a great-grandmother, but still very much the matriarch of the Ogg clan; her motherly skills come into play through the story, and she is one of the main characters. Magrat is a mother in Carpe Jugulum, also a main character, and carries her baby with her, even into danger, knowing that the child will be safer in her care than left behind with somone less powerful. The witches are generally an ensemble cast, usually in a group of three or four per story (playing on the old trope of Maiden, Mother and Crone-- Nanny is very much the Mother.)
posted by The otter lady at 12:51 PM on May 14, 2017 [4 favorites]
posted by The otter lady at 12:51 PM on May 14, 2017 [4 favorites]
Erin Brochovich
Aliens
Gravity
The Incredibles
Norma Rae
Kill Bill
posted by Ideefixe at 1:12 PM on May 14, 2017
Aliens
Gravity
The Incredibles
Norma Rae
Kill Bill
posted by Ideefixe at 1:12 PM on May 14, 2017
Miyazaki's Ponyo is a great example of this in animated movies. The mother voiced by Tina Fey really fits your criteria.
posted by flourpot at 1:23 PM on May 14, 2017
posted by flourpot at 1:23 PM on May 14, 2017
Tehanu and The Other Wind of the Earthsea series are well-drawn portraits of motherhood, adoption, and trauma. Christa Wolf's Medea retells the Greek myth from Medea's perspective, recasting her as an unflinchingly moral citizen -- mother, activist, diplomat, immigrant, daughter, and spouse -- demonized retroactively for her refusal to absolve powerful people of terrible crimes.
posted by Fish, fish, are you doing your duty? at 1:36 PM on May 14, 2017
posted by Fish, fish, are you doing your duty? at 1:36 PM on May 14, 2017
a few books that come to mind:
Lois McMaster's Barrayar--SF; Cordelia (a mother) is the main protagonist, the book is at its heart a story about becoming a mother/parent, and the plot driven by that change makes the personal not just political, but worldchanging. This is a key concern in a lot of Bujold's work; her fantasy novel Paladin of Souls also has a lead protagonist who is a middle-aged mother striking out on a quest of her own.
N.K. Jemisin's in-progress Broken Earth trilogy--SF/fantasy; hard to explain what it's about without giving away too much, but the main protagonist is a mother, and the second book delves more deeply into a complicated mother-daughter relationship.
Helen DeWitt's The Last Samurai--literary fiction; Sybilla (the mother) is co-protagonist, the other main character is her prodigy son Ludo. People seem to either love this book or find it unbearably pretentious, I'm in the first camp.
posted by karayel at 1:40 PM on May 14, 2017 [1 favorite]
Lois McMaster's Barrayar--SF; Cordelia (a mother) is the main protagonist, the book is at its heart a story about becoming a mother/parent, and the plot driven by that change makes the personal not just political, but worldchanging. This is a key concern in a lot of Bujold's work; her fantasy novel Paladin of Souls also has a lead protagonist who is a middle-aged mother striking out on a quest of her own.
N.K. Jemisin's in-progress Broken Earth trilogy--SF/fantasy; hard to explain what it's about without giving away too much, but the main protagonist is a mother, and the second book delves more deeply into a complicated mother-daughter relationship.
Helen DeWitt's The Last Samurai--literary fiction; Sybilla (the mother) is co-protagonist, the other main character is her prodigy son Ludo. People seem to either love this book or find it unbearably pretentious, I'm in the first camp.
posted by karayel at 1:40 PM on May 14, 2017 [1 favorite]
I don't think this is that uncommon. I've been watching a lot of movies in the past couple months, and off the top of my head I can think of three I've seen in that time that fit all your criteria:
Something's Gotta Give — the mom (Diane Keaton) has an active dating life, travels from America to Paris and back, writes a play, etc.
Petunia — in addition to having conflicts with her husband, the mom (Christine Lahti — the most memorable character) is shown being a therapist, having a wild experience at a nightclub, etc.
Before I Disappear — the mom (Emmy Rossum) meets your criteria for reasons I won't specify to avoid spoilers
I doubt I could list as many movies I've seen in the same time with fathers who meet all those criteria.
Also, your "not a villain" criterion is unclear — both as far as what it means and why it matters. For instance, is Lucille Bluth on Arrested Development a "villain"?
posted by John Cohen at 1:40 PM on May 14, 2017
Something's Gotta Give — the mom (Diane Keaton) has an active dating life, travels from America to Paris and back, writes a play, etc.
Petunia — in addition to having conflicts with her husband, the mom (Christine Lahti — the most memorable character) is shown being a therapist, having a wild experience at a nightclub, etc.
Before I Disappear — the mom (Emmy Rossum) meets your criteria for reasons I won't specify to avoid spoilers
I doubt I could list as many movies I've seen in the same time with fathers who meet all those criteria.
Also, your "not a villain" criterion is unclear — both as far as what it means and why it matters. For instance, is Lucille Bluth on Arrested Development a "villain"?
posted by John Cohen at 1:40 PM on May 14, 2017
The mother in Kubo and The Two Strings is present and a driving force through the whole story, actively fighting the bad guys/girls and protecting her son, but technically (SPOILER ALERT!!!) she's dead. So I don't know if that will work for you, but its a really great film, worth seeing.
posted by WalkerWestridge at 1:49 PM on May 14, 2017 [5 favorites]
posted by WalkerWestridge at 1:49 PM on May 14, 2017 [5 favorites]
Terms of Endearment. The Evening Star. Steel Magnolias. These both feature several mothers (though there is death, there are enough other mothers there carrying story lines which fit your criteria.)
posted by Jubey at 1:54 PM on May 14, 2017
posted by Jubey at 1:54 PM on May 14, 2017
Ooh! How about the mother in Disney's "Brave"?
posted by The otter lady at 1:56 PM on May 14, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by The otter lady at 1:56 PM on May 14, 2017 [2 favorites]
Non-fiction example - Trevor Noah's memoir 'Born a Crime' is practically a love letter to his mother - about her life, the barriers she broke down and how it shaped him.
posted by Caravantea at 1:58 PM on May 14, 2017
posted by Caravantea at 1:58 PM on May 14, 2017
Queen Elinor in Disney's Brave. Merida would not be Merida if it were not for her mother. This is a fresh coming-of-age story from the Mouse.
The 1959 version of Imitation of Life with Lana Turner and Juanita Moore as mothers raising their daughters and supporting each other through good times and bad.
Can Katherine Hepburn go wrong? On Golden Pond and Guess Who's Coming to Dinner, or taking a turn to the darker side of motherhood, Suddenly, Last Summer and The Lion in Winter.
posted by TrishaU at 2:10 PM on May 14, 2017
The 1959 version of Imitation of Life with Lana Turner and Juanita Moore as mothers raising their daughters and supporting each other through good times and bad.
Can Katherine Hepburn go wrong? On Golden Pond and Guess Who's Coming to Dinner, or taking a turn to the darker side of motherhood, Suddenly, Last Summer and The Lion in Winter.
posted by TrishaU at 2:10 PM on May 14, 2017
The movie Juno is about a teenage girl who gets pregnant accidentally and then carefully and actively chooses adoptive parents for her baby- an infertile couple who (spoiler!) ultimately break up, but Juno decides that the woman, Vanessa, should adopt the infant anyway, which she gladly does. Shows Juno and Vanessa as two very different mothers (and Juno's stepmom as a third, peripheral but great, version of motherhood).
The Handmaid's Tale (novel, movie, TV series) is about a woman thrust into unbearable circumstances specifically due to the fact that she is a mother / is fertile. She's the protagonist.
In the world of Sci-Fi TV, Star Trek: The Next Generation's Beverly Crusher, an ensemble lead on the show, is a strong mom. And also on ST:TNG, Lwaxana Troi is a side character, but she's quite 3-dimensional considering the size of the role.
On Game of Thrones, would you count Olenna Tyrell? She's Margaery and Loras' grandmother, not their mother, but she plays a maternal role in their lives, and definitely stirs shit up to major effect (by causing the Purple Wedding). Ditto Ellaria Sand, paramour to Oberyn Martell and the mother of the Sand Snakes- I guess you could argue that she's a villain but I see her as a strong, loyal political player in the GoT universe.
posted by pseudostrabismus at 2:33 PM on May 14, 2017
The Handmaid's Tale (novel, movie, TV series) is about a woman thrust into unbearable circumstances specifically due to the fact that she is a mother / is fertile. She's the protagonist.
In the world of Sci-Fi TV, Star Trek: The Next Generation's Beverly Crusher, an ensemble lead on the show, is a strong mom. And also on ST:TNG, Lwaxana Troi is a side character, but she's quite 3-dimensional considering the size of the role.
On Game of Thrones, would you count Olenna Tyrell? She's Margaery and Loras' grandmother, not their mother, but she plays a maternal role in their lives, and definitely stirs shit up to major effect (by causing the Purple Wedding). Ditto Ellaria Sand, paramour to Oberyn Martell and the mother of the Sand Snakes- I guess you could argue that she's a villain but I see her as a strong, loyal political player in the GoT universe.
posted by pseudostrabismus at 2:33 PM on May 14, 2017
How about Baby Boom? 1980's working woman thrust into motherhood, moves out to the country, ends up combo-ing her business-talents and her mother-talents to make big-time-money, land a man, spend time with her little one and live happily ever after.
posted by Toddles at 2:43 PM on May 14, 2017
posted by Toddles at 2:43 PM on May 14, 2017
The 2003 film The Missing with Cate Blanchett and Tommy Lee Jones.
The 1974 television movie The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman with Cicely Tyson.
Seconding versions of Steel Magnolias, with either Sally Field or Queen Latifah.
posted by TrishaU at 2:49 PM on May 14, 2017
The 1974 television movie The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman with Cicely Tyson.
Seconding versions of Steel Magnolias, with either Sally Field or Queen Latifah.
posted by TrishaU at 2:49 PM on May 14, 2017
Remant Populationby Elizabeth Moon is about an elderly woman, a mother, who plans to stay behind when corporate forces evacuate her planet. She eventually discovers that there had been a native sentient people there during human occupation and makes the difficult first contact. A very unusual protagonist.
posted by Botanizer at 3:11 PM on May 14, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by Botanizer at 3:11 PM on May 14, 2017 [1 favorite]
Diane Weist as Peg Boggs in Edward Scissorhands. The story is really a Frankenstein story: a 1950s suburban mom/Avon rep discovers Edward in his castle, after his inventor dies, and then adopts him and treats him as her own, and eventually the whole neighborhood embraces him. (Until they don't.) I can't write more because I will start bawling like a dammit too late.
posted by Room 641-A at 3:23 PM on May 14, 2017
posted by Room 641-A at 3:23 PM on May 14, 2017
The film Mildred Pierce might fit, depending upon what you consider affecting the wider world. Mildred Pierce starts a chain of restaurants to support her family and devotes herself to trying to make her horrible daughter happy. She becomes an immensely successful entrepreneur, but it's all about trying to please her daughter by buying her the expensive things she wants.
The musical Gypsy might work too. Gypsy Rose Lee's mother is a driven stage mom who gives up the good man who loves her because of her drive to push her daughter's career. Karl Malden (the good man) leaves her when she pushes her daughter to become a stripper. Interestingly, in the bio on which the movie is based, Gypsy Rose Lee is very clear that she wanted to strip, whereas in the movie, the mother is depicted as forcing a sweet innocent girl against her will.
posted by FencingGal at 3:40 PM on May 14, 2017
The musical Gypsy might work too. Gypsy Rose Lee's mother is a driven stage mom who gives up the good man who loves her because of her drive to push her daughter's career. Karl Malden (the good man) leaves her when she pushes her daughter to become a stripper. Interestingly, in the bio on which the movie is based, Gypsy Rose Lee is very clear that she wanted to strip, whereas in the movie, the mother is depicted as forcing a sweet innocent girl against her will.
posted by FencingGal at 3:40 PM on May 14, 2017
Response by poster: Good recommendations so far! Just some clarification:
4. The actions she takes that are relevant to the narrative leave the domestic or interpersonal sphere. What I mean by this is, although her being a mother may be important to the plot, she does stuff that affects the wider world.
I don't think I've phrase this the right way, or explained it well enough. I can think of a lot of examples of mothers in genres like romance and family dramas, where the major focus of the story is on interpersonal relationships, but I have a hard time finding them in other genres. I'm looking for mothers who go out on adventures, get involved in politics or fight wars, investigate crime, travel to the big city to seek their fortunes - things like this.
Beverly Crusher is good example of a character that fits my criteria. She's an important member of the cast, and she's involved in a lot of storylines as the ship's doctor and not just Wesley's mother.
Another one that comes to mind is Rachel, the mother in The Ring. She's the protagonist in a horror story, and while some of her actions are to protect her son, she gets involved because she's a journalist investigating a story.
posted by Kutsuwamushi at 3:56 PM on May 14, 2017 [2 favorites]
4. The actions she takes that are relevant to the narrative leave the domestic or interpersonal sphere. What I mean by this is, although her being a mother may be important to the plot, she does stuff that affects the wider world.
I don't think I've phrase this the right way, or explained it well enough. I can think of a lot of examples of mothers in genres like romance and family dramas, where the major focus of the story is on interpersonal relationships, but I have a hard time finding them in other genres. I'm looking for mothers who go out on adventures, get involved in politics or fight wars, investigate crime, travel to the big city to seek their fortunes - things like this.
Beverly Crusher is good example of a character that fits my criteria. She's an important member of the cast, and she's involved in a lot of storylines as the ship's doctor and not just Wesley's mother.
Another one that comes to mind is Rachel, the mother in The Ring. She's the protagonist in a horror story, and while some of her actions are to protect her son, she gets involved because she's a journalist investigating a story.
posted by Kutsuwamushi at 3:56 PM on May 14, 2017 [2 favorites]
Am I right that you want stories where the main character is a mother, but her being a mother isn't necessarily a central part of the story?
A couple of mystery series: Alex Morrow, the detective in a bunch of mysteries by Denise Mina, gives birth to twins partway through the series. Ruth Galloway, an archeologist who is the detective in a series by Elly Griffiths, has a baby between books two and three.
In the TV show Nashville, Raina James is a country star and record company executive as well as the mother of two daughters.
posted by ArbitraryAndCapricious at 3:57 PM on May 14, 2017 [1 favorite]
A couple of mystery series: Alex Morrow, the detective in a bunch of mysteries by Denise Mina, gives birth to twins partway through the series. Ruth Galloway, an archeologist who is the detective in a series by Elly Griffiths, has a baby between books two and three.
In the TV show Nashville, Raina James is a country star and record company executive as well as the mother of two daughters.
posted by ArbitraryAndCapricious at 3:57 PM on May 14, 2017 [1 favorite]
The Outlander series, maybe? I've only read the first one, in which Claire doesn't have kids, but I know that she has a daughter immediately after the first book, and then her daughter also has kids in subsequent books. (There's an eighteen-year jump forward between books one and two.)
posted by ArbitraryAndCapricious at 4:23 PM on May 14, 2017
posted by ArbitraryAndCapricious at 4:23 PM on May 14, 2017
Samantha Stevens, Bewitched. (Not the porn star.)
Agent 99 on Get Smart, keeps on being a spy after giving birth to twins.
posted by Room 641-A at 4:25 PM on May 14, 2017
Agent 99 on Get Smart, keeps on being a spy after giving birth to twins.
posted by Room 641-A at 4:25 PM on May 14, 2017
Oh! "Elizabeth Jennings", Keri Russell's character on The Americans, is a Soviet spy who has two kids.
posted by ArbitraryAndCapricious at 4:27 PM on May 14, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by ArbitraryAndCapricious at 4:27 PM on May 14, 2017 [2 favorites]
In the Time of the Butterflies , book and movie, are based on the real life Mirabal sisters, who opposed the Trujillo regime in the Dominican Republic. All were mothers, and their motherhood is very present in the novel.
posted by Alexandra Michelle at 4:29 PM on May 14, 2017
posted by Alexandra Michelle at 4:29 PM on May 14, 2017
Also, the main character in Broadchurch is both a mother and detective.
posted by Alexandra Michelle at 4:42 PM on May 14, 2017
posted by Alexandra Michelle at 4:42 PM on May 14, 2017
Naomi Nagata, one of the core characters of The Expanse TV show and original book series, is a mother, though she is estranged from her son and abusive ex-husband in the first few books (the reader, but not yet most of the characters, are aware that she's a mother). Book 5 , Nemesis Games, has the crew of the ship Rocinante going their separate ways to start personal story arcs, while the ship is repaired from the events of book 4, Cibola Burn. Finally getting a chance at being a POV character, Naomi is pulled back into the world of her ex-, a militant belter. Her story, and that of her son, ex-, and a new hot conflict start in 5 and continue through 6 (the most recently published), Babylon's Ashes.
Assuming (and hoping for) the show's continued existence, we're not likely to see this plot on the show for several years; the show is still in the second book.
posted by Sunburnt at 4:57 PM on May 14, 2017
Assuming (and hoping for) the show's continued existence, we're not likely to see this plot on the show for several years; the show is still in the second book.
posted by Sunburnt at 4:57 PM on May 14, 2017
Jennifer Government is about a government agent pursuing an evil advertising executive. She is a mother and that's not an unimportant part of the story, but her pursuit of the bad guy is the main focus.
posted by Redstart at 4:59 PM on May 14, 2017
posted by Redstart at 4:59 PM on May 14, 2017
I can think of a lot of examples of mothers in genres like romance and family dramas, where the major focus of the story is on interpersonal relationships, but I have a hard time finding them in other genres. I'm looking for mothers who go out on adventures, get involved in politics or fight wars, investigate crime, travel to the big city to seek their fortunes - things like this.
This is odd because I think this is very common in TV- even shows like Cagney and Lacey in the early 80s had working mothers. Most mainstream shows have female mothers that do all the things: Nurse Jackie, Bones, Big Little Lies, Sons of Anarchy, Person of Interest, Grey's Anatomy, Archer, Arrested Development, Arrow , Absolutely Fabulous etc etc.
posted by fshgrl at 5:04 PM on May 14, 2017
This is odd because I think this is very common in TV- even shows like Cagney and Lacey in the early 80s had working mothers. Most mainstream shows have female mothers that do all the things: Nurse Jackie, Bones, Big Little Lies, Sons of Anarchy, Person of Interest, Grey's Anatomy, Archer, Arrested Development, Arrow , Absolutely Fabulous etc etc.
posted by fshgrl at 5:04 PM on May 14, 2017
Orphan Black
posted by gideonfrog at 5:11 PM on May 14, 2017 [6 favorites]
posted by gideonfrog at 5:11 PM on May 14, 2017 [6 favorites]
The Blazing World - Siri Hustvedt
This is a novel in the literary fiction genre about a contemporary artist, Harriet Burden. It's an incredible, multi-layered story which does explore her personal relationships, but her work and trajectory in the art world are just as important and vital to the story. They're inextricably tied.
The Ginger Tree - Oswald Wynd
This is a novel about Mary, a young Scottswoman in 20th century China whose life takes a very unexpected course. Without spoiling the book, I can say that while she has a child, she also builds a life for herself in many ways outside the domestic scope.
A Whistling Woman - A.S. Byatt
Part of a series of literary novels, this book focuses on Frederica Potter, an English single mother who becomes a host on an influential talk show during the 60s. Like The Blazing World, relationships get a lot of play but her work and big and influential *ideas* also drive the story.
posted by prewar lemonade at 5:57 PM on May 14, 2017
This is a novel in the literary fiction genre about a contemporary artist, Harriet Burden. It's an incredible, multi-layered story which does explore her personal relationships, but her work and trajectory in the art world are just as important and vital to the story. They're inextricably tied.
The Ginger Tree - Oswald Wynd
This is a novel about Mary, a young Scottswoman in 20th century China whose life takes a very unexpected course. Without spoiling the book, I can say that while she has a child, she also builds a life for herself in many ways outside the domestic scope.
A Whistling Woman - A.S. Byatt
Part of a series of literary novels, this book focuses on Frederica Potter, an English single mother who becomes a host on an influential talk show during the 60s. Like The Blazing World, relationships get a lot of play but her work and big and influential *ideas* also drive the story.
posted by prewar lemonade at 5:57 PM on May 14, 2017
If you're into Arthurian lore, Marion Zimmer Bradley's The Mists of Avalon pops into my mind.
posted by The Underpants Monster at 8:34 PM on May 14, 2017
posted by The Underpants Monster at 8:34 PM on May 14, 2017
a primary member of an ensemble cast.
to expand on one that was mentioned in passing, because you asked for explanations, Detective Carter on Person of Interest. I am not not NOT recommending the show to you as quality anything, the premise is "what if Jesus, but Batman?" and it watches like you're seeing the gauzy bedtime stories Mel Gibson tells himself when trying to fall asleep at night, waiting for the sleeping pills to take hold. there is a lot of flashbacking to explain just how much regret it takes for a man's voice to get as meaningfully husky as Jim "Christ" Caviezel's is.
HOWEVER, Detective Carter is a major character, competent and honest and not stupid, a police detective and former soldier, an antagonist in the beginning but not a villain, and you don't find out she has a child until nine episodes in. because it wasn't relevant until then. that's as far as I've watched and who knows what becomes of her, but up to then, she's a good character and suits your requirements. the part where her parental status isn't relevant until it's relevant is exceptional in any medium and if you choose to watch it you can pretend they did it for extremely good feminist reasons instead of for a cheap reveal. it might even be true.
posted by queenofbithynia at 8:43 PM on May 14, 2017
to expand on one that was mentioned in passing, because you asked for explanations, Detective Carter on Person of Interest. I am not not NOT recommending the show to you as quality anything, the premise is "what if Jesus, but Batman?" and it watches like you're seeing the gauzy bedtime stories Mel Gibson tells himself when trying to fall asleep at night, waiting for the sleeping pills to take hold. there is a lot of flashbacking to explain just how much regret it takes for a man's voice to get as meaningfully husky as Jim "Christ" Caviezel's is.
HOWEVER, Detective Carter is a major character, competent and honest and not stupid, a police detective and former soldier, an antagonist in the beginning but not a villain, and you don't find out she has a child until nine episodes in. because it wasn't relevant until then. that's as far as I've watched and who knows what becomes of her, but up to then, she's a good character and suits your requirements. the part where her parental status isn't relevant until it's relevant is exceptional in any medium and if you choose to watch it you can pretend they did it for extremely good feminist reasons instead of for a cheap reveal. it might even be true.
posted by queenofbithynia at 8:43 PM on May 14, 2017
Afterparty by Daryl Gregory has Lyda Rose, who
1) Is the protagonist of the book, and the primary first-person narrator (though there are a few third-person segments in the novel).
2) Is actively investigating the re-emergence of a potentially dangerous drug.
3) Isn't a villain.
4) Is primarily involved in the narrative as a scientist who helped develop the potentially dangerous drug.
posted by creepygirl at 9:19 PM on May 14, 2017
1) Is the protagonist of the book, and the primary first-person narrator (though there are a few third-person segments in the novel).
2) Is actively investigating the re-emergence of a potentially dangerous drug.
3) Isn't a villain.
4) Is primarily involved in the narrative as a scientist who helped develop the potentially dangerous drug.
posted by creepygirl at 9:19 PM on May 14, 2017
There's always A Tree Grows in Brooklyn (1943 novel and 1945 film).
posted by Rash at 10:15 PM on May 14, 2017
posted by Rash at 10:15 PM on May 14, 2017
Gone with the Wind- Scarlett O'Hara is a mother for much of the book and some of the film.
In Jasper Fforde's Thursday Next book series Thursday is a literary detective who eventually gets married and has teenage children. She continues detecting throughout.
posted by threetwentytwo at 2:25 AM on May 15, 2017
In Jasper Fforde's Thursday Next book series Thursday is a literary detective who eventually gets married and has teenage children. She continues detecting throughout.
posted by threetwentytwo at 2:25 AM on May 15, 2017
Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH - Mother realizes her home is in danger, and one of her kids is sick, so they can't just move. Plus (bonus points?) it's a kids' book.
posted by Mchelly at 10:21 AM on May 15, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by Mchelly at 10:21 AM on May 15, 2017 [1 favorite]
Gilmore Girls? Parenthood? If TV shows are okay for you.
As for books, some of the Tamora Pierce fantasy series have the protagonists evolve into mothers, although most of the protagonists' own mothers are dead or otherwise far away. (Unfortunately, Protector of the Small has a great mother who appears too sporadically to fulfill your criteria.)
posted by LoonyLovegood at 4:43 AM on May 16, 2017
As for books, some of the Tamora Pierce fantasy series have the protagonists evolve into mothers, although most of the protagonists' own mothers are dead or otherwise far away. (Unfortunately, Protector of the Small has a great mother who appears too sporadically to fulfill your criteria.)
posted by LoonyLovegood at 4:43 AM on May 16, 2017
Pretty much all of Toni Morrison's novels.
A few other book examples:
-An Untamed State by Roxane Gay - the main character is a mother; many of the characters in her recent short story collection, Difficult Women are mothers.
-Dark Places by Gillian Flynn is a story that focuses on a few different character's perspectives, including the mother of most of the other characters. Ditto for Rooms by Lauren Oliver, ditto White Teeth by Zadie Smith, ditto Everything I never Told you by Celeste Ng and The Books of Unknown Americans by Christina Henriquez. Basically, lots of family dramas feature moms.
-Hausfrau by Jill Alexander Essbaum is about a sexually unfulfilled young mother
-The Interestings by Meg Wolitzer is another book that shifts perspectives a lot and follows a group of close friends over the course of their lives. Eventually, some of the characters become mothers and the book examines how that role influences the characters relationships with each other.
Landline by Rainbow Rowell is about a married-with-kids couple who grapple with issues in their relationship (via a magical time traveling phone. Which sounds stupid, but it's not.). Anyways, the main character is the mom.
(not surprising all these examples are by women authors, eh?)
posted by nuclear_soup at 8:25 PM on May 17, 2017
A few other book examples:
-An Untamed State by Roxane Gay - the main character is a mother; many of the characters in her recent short story collection, Difficult Women are mothers.
-Dark Places by Gillian Flynn is a story that focuses on a few different character's perspectives, including the mother of most of the other characters. Ditto for Rooms by Lauren Oliver, ditto White Teeth by Zadie Smith, ditto Everything I never Told you by Celeste Ng and The Books of Unknown Americans by Christina Henriquez. Basically, lots of family dramas feature moms.
-Hausfrau by Jill Alexander Essbaum is about a sexually unfulfilled young mother
-The Interestings by Meg Wolitzer is another book that shifts perspectives a lot and follows a group of close friends over the course of their lives. Eventually, some of the characters become mothers and the book examines how that role influences the characters relationships with each other.
Landline by Rainbow Rowell is about a married-with-kids couple who grapple with issues in their relationship (via a magical time traveling phone. Which sounds stupid, but it's not.). Anyways, the main character is the mom.
(not surprising all these examples are by women authors, eh?)
posted by nuclear_soup at 8:25 PM on May 17, 2017
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posted by Rob Rockets at 12:33 PM on May 14, 2017 [8 favorites]