Our favourite mothers in books

Bridget Jones is undeniably an icon . . . but it's her mum, Pamela Jones, who truly steals the show. With her Tupperware parties, questionable fashion choices and matchmaking schemes, she's the epitome of a well-meaning, if chaotic, mother. Her relentless pursuit of Bridget's happiness provides much of the book’s humour. What makes Mrs. Jones so compelling is her relatability. She's not a perfect mother, but she's a loving one, driven by a desire to see her daughter thrive. You can't help but laugh along as Bridget navigates the social minefield of her thirties, with the guidance (however misguided) of her mother. 

One of the best-loved classic children's stories of all time, Little Women by Louisa May Alcott tells the story of the courageous and ingenious March sisters; Jo, the independent tomboy; Beth, who is delicate and loving; beautiful and kind Meg; and Amy the precocious baby of the family. Their devoted mother Marmee, recently impoverished, must care for them alone whilst their father is away serving as a chaplain in the Civil War. It is Mrs. March, with her quiet strength and unwavering moral compass, who guides the little women through hardship and joy. Marmee's influence shapes their journeys, making her the heart of the March family and a timeless symbol of maternal devotion.

Jolene Zarkades, the protagonist of Home Front from bestselling author Kristin Hannah, is a dedicated wife, mother, and soldier. She has always been the rock of her family, balancing military duty with the demands of home life. However, when she is deployed to Iraq, everything changes—her marriage to Michael, already strained, begins to crumble, and she faces the harrowing realities of war. Her journey is one of resilience, sacrifice, and the deep emotional cost of serving both her country and her family.

A woman is forced to flee her home with her newborn child after a devastating flood that completely uproots her life. As she embarks on a harrowing journey of survival, she faces displacement, uncertainty and the collapse of society, all while navigating early motherhood. Despite the turmoil, her deep bond with her child anchors her. Her story is a raw, intimate exploration of maternal instinct, resilience, and the enduring power of love in the face of unimaginable loss. It's a testament to the unwavering bond between mother and child, even when the world is ending. Now a major film starring Jodie Comer, this is a heartfelt novel, haunting, but hopeful.

When Peter, Phyllis and Roberta’s father is wrongfully imprisoned, the family is forced to flee their home in London for a small country cottage where their mother, Mrs Waterbury, steps up to support the family. Working tirelessly as a writer to make ends meet, she always puts her children's well-being first. Her unwavering love and perseverance gives her children the freedom they always dreamed of—to experience new adventures on the country railways that ultimately change the course of their life.

Elizabeth Zott is an ambitious, headstrong woman trying to find success as a chemist in the 1960s, in the face of sexist prejudice from her academic colleagues. When circumstances force her out of the lab, she becomes the host of a cooking show, Supper at Six. The show becomes a phenomenon as Elizabeth empowers women both in the kitchen and outside of it. Her unwavering dedication to her daughter, coupled with her intellectual brilliance, makes her a powerful and unconventional portrayal of maternal strength in a world determined to limit her.

Little Fires Everywhere features two strong women who approach motherhood quite differently. Elena Richardson, mother of four, wants to be seen as picture-perfect and thrives on order, tradition and control. Mia Warren is more free-spirited and lets her daughter Pearl be her authentic self. When a local family attempt to adopt a Chinese-American baby, sparking a custody battle, the two women find themselves on opposing sides with dramatic consquences. Little Fires Everywhere forces us to confront uncomfortable truths about motherhood, questioning whether there's a "right" way to raise a child and highlighting the destructive power of judgment and unspoken biases. Prepare to be captivated by a story that ignites conversations and leaves you pondering the true meaning of family and belonging.

Nightbitch is a darkly humorous and subversive exploration of motherhood where a full-time mother battles the pressure, loneliness and isolation of raising a two-year-old, steadily growing to resent her absent husband. As she begins to undergo a nightly transformation into a canine, the story becomes a powerful metaphor for the experience of modern motherhood. With its raw honesty and abstract narrative, it comments on the societal expectations placed on mothers, whilst also providing empowerment and recognition of their issues.