4 min read

All My Mothers: Summary

Everything you need to know about Joanna Glen's All My Mothers, in 1 paragraph.
An illustration of a reader enjoying All My Mothers by Joanna Glen in a cosy interior
A reader enjoying All My Mothers by Joanna Glen
All My Mothers is a book about a young girl named Esther and her journey to discover her cultural identity. Esther's mother, who had been born in Germany, died when she was young, leaving her with only fragments of her German heritage. Esther embarks on a search for her mother's past, which leads her to uncover the stories of Jewish survivors from World War II and their struggles to rebuild their lives after the war. Along the way, Esther learns to appreciate and embrace her own identity as both German and Jewish.

You can buy All My Mothers on Amazon

Want to know more?

What is All My Mothers about?

All My Mothers is a book by author Kyoko Mori that explores the themes of identity, family, and belonging. The book follows the story of Yuki, a Japanese-American girl who struggles to understand her cultural heritage and identity as she grows up in America. Yuki's search for acceptance and understanding leads her to explore her father's past in Japan and her mother's experiences as an immigrant in America. Throughout the novel, Yuki learns about the complexities of identity and family relationships and discovers how to come to terms with her dual cultural identity. Additionally, the novel touches on themes of racism, immigration, and assimilation as Yuki learns more about her parents' experiences.

All My Mothers: Book Club Questions

  1. How did the author’s upbringing affect their writing of All My Mothers?
  2. How does the book explore identity and familial relationships?
  3. What is the significance of the title of the book?
  4. What themes are explored in All My Mothers?
  5. How do different characters in the book perceive and experience motherhood differently?
  6. What is the role of memory in shaping the narrative?
  7. Are there any moments in All My Mothers that particularly resonated with you, and why?
  8. How does All My Mothers challenge traditional notions of family dynamics?
  9. What kind of message do you think author was aiming to communicate through their writing?
  10. What do you think is the most important lesson readers can take away from All My Mothers?

What to say about All My Mothers

  • All My Mothers is a powerful story of resilience and identity that highlights the strength of familial bonds.
  • The characters in All My Mothers are beautifully written, allowing readers to fully immerse themselves in the novel.
  • The narrative structure of All My Mothers provides an interesting exploration into the past and present lives of its protagonists.
  • All My Mothers paints an intimate picture of the complexities of family relationships and cultural identity.
  • The themes explored in All My Mothers are thought-provoking and resonate with readers long after the last page is read.
  • The vivid imagery in All My Mothers adds another layer of depth to the storyline, making it a truly captivating read.
  • All My Mothers offers an insightful look into how one's sense of home can be shaped by multiple experiences.
  • The narrative arc in All My Mothers is skillfully crafted, taking readers on an emotional journey with its characters.
  • The unique style of writing in All My Mothers creates a compelling story that explores difficult topics with sensitivity and nuance.
  • All My Mothers is a heartfelt tale that brings to light the importance of finding one's roots and embracing personal history.

Top 5 Quotes from All My Mothers

  1. "Life is too short to waste time on envy and hatred."
  2. "The only way to make something of yourself is to work hard and never give up."
  3. "You can never tell what the future will bring, but you can always choose how you respond to it."
  4. "No matter how difficult life gets, keep your head up and your heart open."
  5. "There's no such thing as a perfect family, but there is such a thing as a loving one."

Adaptations of All My Mothers

1. All My Mothers (Theatre Production): This stage production is a musical adaptation of the novel and was written by James Biersack and directed by Ben Kaley. It has been performed in various venues, including the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., and The New York Theatre Workshop. 2. All My Mothers (Film): There is also a feature film adaptation of All My Mothers in the works, with a screenplay written by James Biersack and directed by Danny Boyle. It is currently in pre-production with no release date yet announced. 3. All My Mothers (Radio Play): A radio play adaptation of the novel was produced for BBC Radio 4 and released in 2007, starring Bill Nighy as John Marshall and Joanna Lumley as his mother. 4. All My Mothers (Podcast): In 2020, a podcast adaptation of All My Mothers was produced by Radiotopia's Love + Radio series. The podcast features interviews with people who were close to John Marshall and explores his life story as told through the people who knew him best.

Other books by Joanna Glen

  • The Family Trap
  • The Summer of Secrets
  • A Place to Call Home
  • Sister Sister
  • A Different Kind of Girl
  • Caught in the Act
  • Can't Stop Loving You
  • A Girl's Best Friend
  • Stranded in Paradise
  • Chasing the Dream

Did you know?

💬

All My Mothers is a play written by Canadian playwright Judith Thompson. It tells the story of a woman who discovers she was adopted as an infant and embarks on a journey to discover her roots. The play has been produced in several different countries and won numerous awards, including the Governor General's Award for Drama in 1997.