Description
During Mother’s Absence by Michèle Roberts is a collection of subversive and sensual short stories from one of Britain’s most celebrated authors. Known for her powerful novel Daughters of the House, which was shortlisted for the Booker Prize, Roberts delivers a series of tales that are as wise as they are witty, filled with moments of delicious shock and sobering disquiet. The collection explores themes of forbidden desires, taboos, and the complexities of the maternal relationship, often venturing into the realms of what happens when societal expectations and personal desires clash.
Each story in During Mother’s Absence offers a unique perspective on the human experience. In “Laundry,” a plain, poor girl outwits the monks and nuns she serves, while in “Anger,” a woman, scarred and marked by fire at birth, learns to live with her mysterious legacy. “Taking It Easy” provides a sensual exploration of a mother’s escape from the constraints of writer’s block, and “God’s House” presents a haunting depiction of a young girl grappling with the absence of her mother. Roberts’ collection offers deep emotional resonance, exploring the spaces between love, loss, and personal transformation.
