RULES FOR MOTHERS

Young’s novel presents a portrait of a woman unraveling amid the pressures of domestic life.

In 1984, 30-something Elly Sparrow, who works in the registrar’s office at Portland State, is in a hospital after suffering a breakdown, seemingly brought on by motherhood. The novel then jumps back a year to reveal Elly in a completely different state, experiencing a sweet, summer moment with her 7-year-old daughter, Jane—a seemingly innocent exchange in which the child asks, “When you were a little girl, did you want to be a mommy?” This triggers Elly’s buried discontent; as a mother of four, she feels trapped by a tidy image of suburban perfection, suffering from feelings of isolation. These make her burst into tears at seemingly random moments; they also lead to her pursuing a flirtation at the park and even contribute to a car accident. There are also flashbacks that show who she once was—career-driven, with a desire to become a teacher, yet appreciating life’s adventures; she had a wonderful relationship with her husband, Dan, until they became parents. In the present day, the formerly free-spirited Dan has hardened; he faces career pressures as a lawyer, which results in Elly’s assuming sole responsibility for many daily tasks. Later, the couple’s sudden marital separation turns Elly’s world upside down. She’s forced to reckon with what she’s lost, and what she’ll do next for herself and her children. Young’s prose, paced rhythmically with the story, evokes ideals of suburban Americana, which later collapse with emotional clarity: “She went to the window when she heard the sound of fireworks zinging and popping, the blast of a car horn, and the shouts and laughter of young voices. Midnight. She peered into the moonless night.” Particularly fascinating is how hope emerges not through self-discovery, but through the protagonist’s return to a past self. Overall, it’s a poignant look into motherhood and the fragile art of remaking a life.

An intimate study of parenthood, sacrifice, and a fight for self-fulfillment.