All My Mothers: The heart-breaking new novel from the author of the Costa-shortlisted debut, THE OTHER HALF OF AUGUSTA HOPE

Reviews

Helen O'Regan

The heady intoxicating heat and the duende, the fusion of Catholicism, Judaism and Islam laid bare in the great monuments of the Alhambra, the Mezquita, the Alcázar, and above all the poetry, the paintings and the longing of the cante jonde. I loved it, the characters were so relatable and so heart warming to follow their experiences, highs snd lows.

Kathryn

“Longing” is the word Eva uses to describe what guides her, and Glen’s rich narrative of deep yearning, and sense of being ‘other’, is drawn through Eva’s lens as she navigates friendship, families, through life in London and in Córdoba. I read this in a day and was deeply moved, and I didn’t want it to end… It’s hard to imagine this is only Glen’s second novel as her grasp of language and the detailed description of shifting cultures is impressive in this evocative, authentic and well-researched tale.

Had some tears too behind my sunglasses. I got the book to read on holiday after seeing a review by Miranda Hart. Undeniably its written through the female gaze – motherhood, in all its guises, the joys, the pain, the discovery, the bad decisions, and especially the making-it-up-as-you-go-along that guides us all with choices we make while learning who we are.

Initially a detective story, clues are laid bare in the onion skin of Eva’s life which are peeled back as she becomes increasingly self-aware, like onions caramelising in the heat, she sweetens, becomes less judgemental. Firstly, I need to say that I too was first seduced by Andalucía more than 30 years ago while interrailing as a student, so I might be a bit biased about why I loved this book so much…. A great read.