In “All My Mothers,” Lena Gorelik investigates who a person is beyond the role of a mother. Born in 1981 in Leningrad, the author intertwines personal experiences with historical facts and cultural observations. Over 272 pages, a literary collage unfolds, encompassing both tenderness and shocking moments.
Gorelik also addresses the mass abortions in the Soviet Union, providing a deep insight into the societal challenges of that time. Her narrative style is sensitive and probing, highlighting the complexity of the mother-child relationship.
The author, who is herself a mother of two sons, reflects on moments of happiness and the challenges that come with motherhood. Her stories are marked by a blend of love and pain that captivates readers.
The book is not only a personal narrative but also a call to question one’s family history and to reconsider the role of mothers in society. It encourages reflection on personal identity and relationships with mothers.
