Mother by Kathleen Norris (Ed. by Jennie Chancey)

Genre: Fiction
Length: 202 pages

Reviewed by: Kris Ryder

“I’m glad you’re not going to simply get into a rut the way some other girls have, cooking and babies and nothing else!”

Mother is the simple story of a young woman who wants more for her life. 20-year-old Margaret Paget is sick of the drudgery of Weston, her one-horse hometown. Having been a school teacher for four years, she wants nothing more than to travel abroad, settle into society, and make something of herself. Looking around, Margaret loathes the life of the stay-at-home mothers she sees; from dawn until dusk, nothing but cooking and cleaning and caring for babies. She cannot understand how her mother can be content with her simple existence. Then suddenly Margaret has the chance to travel to New York City and be the secretary of the famed Mrs. Carr-Boldt, who is known on two continents for her high society life and jewels. Margaret quickly becomes infatuated with her new lifestyle, and gratefully gives up her old standards. But through a series of events, Margaret comes to realize just how much has been accomplished in the “simple” life of her mother. Ultimately, Margaret herself embraces the high calling of home-keeping and motherhood.

Few girls will have trouble sympathizing with Margaret Paget. Kathleen Norris well describes the inner emotions the girl faces as she deals with her own discontentment. Any girl will feel the disgust and disappointment in things such as muddy dogs on the carpet, boisterous siblings, and sticky syrup pitchers. But they will also feel the peace and rest Margaret finds in fulfilling her purpose as a woman. I found Margaret to be a believable girl who struggled with many of the same petty things that I do, and again and again I thought, “Yes!” when she expressed how she felt inside.

This book is very encouraging. Margaret’s mother is an outstanding character who sets a wonderful example. The theme of the entire book is the importance of Biblical womanhood, and there is also a passage that emphasizes the sanctity of human life. It is a refreshing read and a good tool for examining our own hearts’ contentment.

I probably don’t need to mention that this book will not thrill boys! But for girls it is a profitable book, and an enjoyable one as well. I have read it several times, and each time I wished it were longer. It paints a beautiful picture of one girl’s walk with God, and how she triumphed over the discontentment in her life.