From the warm light of her sleeping baby's nursery, the curve of her husband's arm, the soft embrace of an old friend, the anonymous narrator of THE MOTHER'S TALE whispers to you her intimate fears, her deepest held desires. In the suburbs, a young mother is looking after her two children. She used to be a successful career woman in control of her life and with her husband's undivided attention. But now her control is slipping away. Motherhood is devouring her life. She is desperate to reclaim her sense of self, even if that means thinking the unthinkable. From its softly lit beginning to its explosive, emotional conclusion THE MOTHER'S TALE takes the reader on a journey to the dark recesses of one woman's heart and mind; right to the truths that are never spoken, the thoughts that are not written about. THE MOTHER'S TALE is a taut, beautifully constructed book which, once begun, cannot be put down, told by a narrator who will not be easily forgotten. It engages and confronts, and will provoke discussion for a long time to come.
The Mother's Tale: A Novel
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Review
'At under 200 pages it's perfect for a single sitting on a winter evening, an easy, engrossing slip of a thing that explores the ultimate taboo.' (OBSERVER )
'Noli creates a tightly controlled thriller. Unease stirs from the opening paragraph... Noli stops just short of melodrama to serve up a tale of distressing plausibility.' (GUARDIAN )
'A slight discomfort at what might be uncovered turns into a mounting feeling of dread. Yet at the same time it's impossible not to be fascinated by this woman... You'll be compelled to keep reading to discover the truth.' (SHE )
'An extremely harrowing and uncomfortable read... Noli's writing is sparse but certainly not lacking. An enthralling and yet terrifying read... one that, even as a man, will stay with me for a long time to come.' (CRIMESQUAD )
'The Mother's Tale is a clever psychological thriller that puts inadmissible thoughts into well-chosen words.' (LITERARY REVIEW )
'Powerful yet shocking it is set to become one of the most talked about novels of 2009.' (BOOKBAG )
'Noli creates a tightly controlled thriller. Unease stirs from the opening paragraph... Noli stops just short of melodrama to serve up a tale of distressing plausibility.' (GUARDIAN )
'A slight discomfort at what might be uncovered turns into a mounting feeling of dread. Yet at the same time it's impossible not to be fascinated by this woman... You'll be compelled to keep reading to discover the truth.' (SHE )
'An extremely harrowing and uncomfortable read... Noli's writing is sparse but certainly not lacking. An enthralling and yet terrifying read... one that, even as a man, will stay with me for a long time to come.' (CRIMESQUAD )
'The Mother's Tale is a clever psychological thriller that puts inadmissible thoughts into well-chosen words.' (LITERARY REVIEW )
'Powerful yet shocking it is set to become one of the most talked about novels of 2009.' (BOOKBAG )
About the Author
Camilla Noli lives in Australia with her husband and children. She is a graduate of the Varuna Writing Program in Sydney's Blue Mountains. THE MOTHER'S TALE is her first novel.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By Squeak
Format:Hardcover
A very quick read that I flew through. Was completely shocked at some points & I found it quite creepy especially the end. I dont feel so bad about wanting to rip my hair out when my 2 young sons are driving me mad now.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I read The Mother's Tale today - it's a short (just over 200 pages) but totally compelling story and I can really see how a reader could be affected badly by the story. I'm not a Mother, and have never experienced that connection that a woman has with their own child so maybe I could take a step back from it and look at it from a woman's point of view, rather than from a mother's.
Whatever, it really is a stunning piece of work. The fact that the reader never actually finds out the name of the narrator really is a very succesful way of allowing the reader to be a little detached from her. Knowing her name would make her more real and more human, and humanity is something that she has very little of.
She is a cold and calculating woman, someone who is manipulative and deceitful yet extremely honest to herself. She only cares for herself, and her needs. Her family, be it her children, her husband or her mother are by-products of her life - she is central, her needs must be met.
Stark and blunt, uncomfortable but unputdownable. Camilla Noli is a stunning writer, I look forward to reading more of her work.
Whatever, it really is a stunning piece of work. The fact that the reader never actually finds out the name of the narrator really is a very succesful way of allowing the reader to be a little detached from her. Knowing her name would make her more real and more human, and humanity is something that she has very little of.
She is a cold and calculating woman, someone who is manipulative and deceitful yet extremely honest to herself. She only cares for herself, and her needs. Her family, be it her children, her husband or her mother are by-products of her life - she is central, her needs must be met.
Stark and blunt, uncomfortable but unputdownable. Camilla Noli is a stunning writer, I look forward to reading more of her work.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By Kate
Format:Kindle Edition
I read this literally in one night - what a book! Camilla isn't afraid to address the dark thoughts that many (or at least some) mothers go through at some point or another, particularly in the infant days. You are at times horrified by what the narrator is saying and yet in some way you can totally relate to it. I could say so much more about this book - such as where was the damn husband's support in all of this and why is it that the mom had to give up her career??!! - but I don't want to give too much away. If you can handle something dark then I strongly recommend you read this! I finished it last night and I honestly haven't been able to stop thinking about it. I've already downloaded her latest one and can't wait to dive into that one. I've got a new fav author...
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Utterly chilling. A brilliant accomplishment.
I'm actually feeling a little breathless after finishing...
I almost didn't read this book, feeling it would hit close to home and be too upsetting. Read more
I almost didn't read this book, feeling it would hit close to home and be too upsetting. Read more
Published 1 month ago by K. J. Noyes
4.0 out of 5 stars
Never read anything like it ...
The premise for this story is a mother who had a very different life before her children (well yes, which of us mothers didn't!). Read more
Published 11 months ago by Austen Wannabe
4.0 out of 5 stars
Shocking, dark and disturbing
The Mother's Tale starts by detailing our narrator's life as a mother to two very small children. The sheer hard work and repetitive life of a mother who is suffering sleep... Read more
Published 14 months ago by C. Bannister
4.0 out of 5 stars
Very interesting read..
From the moment I began reading this book I couldn't put it down. I was hooked. It was like being inside the deepest darkest thoughts of this unnamed woman. Read more
Published 17 months ago by Claire
5.0 out of 5 stars
Disturbing but compelling
Wow! I really enjoyed this book; if 'enjoy' can be the right word. It is extremely dark and disturbing - there were literally moments when I couldn't believe what I had just read. Read more
Published 18 months ago by Brida
5.0 out of 5 stars
Like reading someone's personal (very disturbing) diary.
I found this a very disturbing read. I felt like I had found somebody's hidden, personal diary and almost felt guilty for taking it and reading it without their consent! Read more
Published on 28 April 2011 by Beathag
2.0 out of 5 stars
A good read, but harrowing
Similar to "We need to talk about Kevin"
Our book club tends to choose sad novels. Worth a read anyway. Read more
Our book club tends to choose sad novels. Worth a read anyway. Read more
Published on 6 Oct 2010 by S. J. Johnston
4.0 out of 5 stars
Riveting read
This is a fairly short read, told by an unnamed narrator. She is married with two very small children, and is clearly finding it hard to cope. Read more
Published on 26 July 2010 by Nicola
2.0 out of 5 stars
Disappointing
I ordered this book on impulse based on previous reviews. I was so disappointed in it. The characters had no depth and the plot was unbelievable, leaving me totally indifferent to... Read more
Published on 17 July 2010 by K. M. Beddow
4.0 out of 5 stars
Motherhood is not for all
Sparsely written and incredibly shocking. The story of a woman who should never have become a mother. Read more
Published on 30 May 2010 by Elka
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