it’s complicated: mother-child relationships

Fiction & nonfiction books that explore the complexities and traumas of mother-child relationships or in which such relationships play a central role. While many books on this list are what I’d classify as including “mommy issues” there are others that are more about the different perspectives and nuances of the mother-child (often specifically mother-daughter) relationship. Some books center the child, some the mother, some both.

Suggestions are welcome.

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created by honeydijon

last updated August, 2026

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been looking for recs like this, i so appreciate you putting this together 💛

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i think off the top of my head the plans i have for you would fit this list too!

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Ah yay!! I’m happy to help you find books in this realm! I will definitely add the one you suggested 💕

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oh what a cool list! The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan might fit, although it does have a more positive/uplifting message about the mother-daughter relationships as a whole haha

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Thank you so much! 🥰 and thanks for the recommendation! I added it! Not all of these books Ive included end in a negative perspective of the mother-child relationship, so I think as long as it captures the relationship and provides insight and context, it belongs on this list!

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May I suggest The Autobiography of my Mother by Jamaica Kincaid? It’s soo perfect for this theme. It explores both a literal mother-daughter relationship, as well as a metaphorical one to her mother country (Dominica) and her Indigenous vs. colonial heritage in a postcolonial setting.

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This recommendation sounds incredible!! Thank you so much! I’ve added it to the list and I’m going to have to add it to my TBR 🙂‍↕️

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This is a great list! A book I read recently as an arc— Fishbone Cinderella by Elizabeth Lim would be perfect for this! It’s all about multi-generational mother-daughter relationships :)

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Thank you! 😊 and thank you for the recommendation, that sounds great! Adding!

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I think Severance would make a good addition to this list. There was definitely a heavy mother daughter theme that was explored throughout the book. This list was speaking to me while I was listening to the book.

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Oooh okay!! Thank you! Adding it right now!

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Oooh, great list! The first book I thought of was The Push by Ashley Audrain, absolutely chilling psychological thriller about the traumas mothers pass on to their daughters

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Thank you! That sounds great 👀 added!

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Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman would fit this!

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I keep meaning to read that one! Added!

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I just finished this book and I can feel the urge to be annoying about it and recommend it everywhere: Elena Knows by Claudia Piñeiro. super honest, moving portrait of a spectrum of mother-daughter relationships that is sending my mind reeling on how society treats mothers and caregivers 💔

(also, thank you for this list 🥹 )

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Thank you for the recommendation, friend! I’ve added it. If you’re that passionate about a book, I’m interested!! I’ve added it to my TBR as well. I’m so glad you like the list 🫶

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friend 😭 thank you for being my first influencee on this book 💕

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Omg I am honored to be the first influencee!!

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I have a 78% overlap with this list and I don’t know how I should feel about it (but I will be reading all of them thx)

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Omg I have a 73% currently, whatever the overlap is saying about you it’s also saying it about me 🤐

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maybe that’s where a big chunk of our overlap is coming from 🙃

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I'd like to humbly suggest Disco Mama by Tiffany Meuret ☺️

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Thank you for the suggestion! Added to the list!

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You're welcome! 🌻

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It might not be exactly what you’re looking for, but Starfish by Akemi Dawn Bowman comes to mind. It’s a young adult novel about a teenage girl trying to get away from her mother, who is emotionally abusive. Although it’s also about other things, the main character’s relationship with her mother plays a big role in the story.

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That definitely fits for this list! Thank you for the suggestion! Adding it now.

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Honeydiiiiijonnnnn... I recommend Kitten by Stacey Yu

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👀👀 thank you, friend!! It has been added!

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:)

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Would like to suggest The Furies by Janet Hobhouse! - the relationship between mother and daughter is the central theme throughout the author's retrospective view on her life. Oh and I think Model Home by Rivers Soloman would work here too

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Thank you for the suggestions!! I added both!

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I absolutely love this list - this is a big theme in books that I’m drawn to! Glancing through what I’ve read recently-ish, I had several recommendations if you want to check them out!

Fantastic list!

I’d recommend: We Shall Be Monsters by Alyssa Wees, When Women Were Dragons by Kelly Barnhill, Witch Queen Rising by Savannah Stephens, The Annual Migration of Clouds by Premee Mohammed (and probably the rest of this trilogy too, but I haven’t read it yet), Sublimation by Isabel J Kim, and A Sorceress Comes To Call by T. Kingfisher

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Thank you, I’m so happy you love the list!! I’m very drawn to this theme as well. Thank you for all the recommendations! I added them all 🙂‍↕️

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i’m sat.

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😌😌😌😌

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I would potentially say Kin by Tayari Jones could fit here! While the mothers aren't really in the story, the daughters are often reflecting on their mothers' absence and how that has affected their lives and their relationships.

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I think that definitely fits! Thanks for the rec, I’ve added it!

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