Homes writes exceptionally well, and her later novel May We Be Forgiven made it into my top ten a number of years ago. In a Country of Mothers is one of her earlier works. The raw talent is evident and the psychological tension first-rate, but I felt the novel was let down by the somewhat tenuous premise and reliance on coincidence. In the work, a psychiatrist takes on a new patient. Later she believes the patient to be the daughter she gave up for adoption at birth. The breadth of emotions and mental tug-of-war between the two characters subsequently plays out. Both their lives unravel, albeit in different ways. The hopeful reconciliation, of course, does not happen. The themes of power, desire, control and love are natural focal points. The minor characters in the work play useful balancing roles. Homes asks some sensible questions too about motherhood. Ultimately, however, I was left wanting more and did not end the novel fully satisfied. Seven and a half out of ten.
By A.M. Homes