Grown Women by Sarai Johnson

Rating: 4 of 5 stars 

Pages: 320 pages
Published: May 2024

Grown Women by Sarai Johnson was the monthly author chat selection for the Modern Mrs. Darcy online Book Club, and it immediately pulled me into the lives of four generations of women all bound by tender yet tumultuous mother-daughter relationships. The novel spans several decades, beginning with Charlotte, who is on the cusp of becoming a new mother while facing a difficult situation. From there, we follow a coming-of-age arc as Charlotte raises Corinna and later Corinna raises her daughter, Camille. Each woman navigates traumatic situations, familial secrets, and the complicated work of trying to love one another in a family where silence often speaks louder than words. Midway through the story we meet Charlotte's mother, Evelyn, who adds another complicated layer to the story. With so many intertwined storylines, and three characters whose names begin with the same letter, I occasionally found myself needing to pause and reorient myself. 

This is Johnson's debut novel, and I think she handled the weight of these layered themes with care. She writes the bonds between the women with honesty and nuance. I didn't walk away from the book loving every character, but I did walk away believing them. Each woman is written in a realistic and imperfect way. Both the mother's and daughters' unresolved pain shapes their choices and their relationships, leading to truly heartbreaking moments that felt so real. 

Though the book explores a great deal of darkness, there is a bit of light. There are moments of connection, clarity, and hope that help break up the heaviness. This quiet strand of hope woven throughout the novel reminds us that healing and maturing is rarely linear. And because of each character's resilience, I did find myself rooting for a peaceful ending for each of them. 

Overall, I appreciated the journey of getting to sit with these characters and watch their stories unfold. I believe Johnson did an excellent job of developing them, giving each one's story care and depth. Having said that, after investing the time in reading the book, the ending felt a bit abrupt, almost like a door slamming shut just as I was stepping through. Upon reflection, I realized I had anticipated more closure and more space to breathe after such immersive storytelling. 

Recommendation: Grown Women is a powerful, emotionally resonant novel that explores the complexities of mother-daughter relationships with honesty and heart. I would recommend this title to fans of literary fiction, multigenerational sagas, and stories that include both the darkness and the light. 

Until next time ... Read on!

Regardless of whether I purchase a book, borrow a book, or receive a book in exchange for review, my ultimate goal is to be honest, fair, and constructive. I hope you've found this review helpful.