Looking for a Mother’s Day gift that will not wither or melt and can be revisited at any time? Then look no further — these 16 unconventional gifts will surely leave a lasting impression!
Contents
- Where we belong, Emily Giffin
- Ruth, Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell
- Everyone Loves Paris, Leslie Jonath
- Bleak House, Charles Dickens
- Diamond Head, by Cecily Wong
- Lady Susan, Jane Austen
- Listen to Your Mother, Ann Imig
- Return of the Native, Thomas Hardy
- The light between oceans, M.L. Stedman
- Lady Windermere’s Fan, Oscar Wilde
- Little Women, Louisa May Alcott
- The Scarlet Letter, Nathaniel Hawthorne
- Sons and Lovers, D. H. Lawrence
- Where'd You Go, Bernadette, Maria Semple
- Anna Karenina, Leo Tolstoy
- Anne’s House of Dreams, Lucy Maud Montgomery
Where we belong, Emily Giffin
“From the best-selling novelist, Emily Giffin, comes the unforgettable story of one powerful secret, its effect on two families, and the life-altering journey that follows. With Giffin’s use of humor, honesty, originality and like, Jane Austen, biting social commentary, this novel sits easily on nightstands and in beach bags. Even Austen would find it hard to put down.”
(Chicago Sun Times)
Buy it on AmazonRuth, Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell
This classic story examines the prejudice against unmarried mothers in the 18th century. Ruth Hilton, a struggling young seamstress, exemplifies a conventional “fallen woman”. Henry Bellingham, an esteemed member of society, seduces and deserts Ruth, so the destitute young lady has to keep her illegitimate child a secret. When Henry reappears in Ruth’s life, she must weigh her personal pride against social acceptance. Elizabeth Gaskell portrays the main character with honesty and compassion challenging the views of sin and social outcasts.
Buy it on AmazonEveryone Loves Paris, Leslie Jonath
From grand landmarks — such as the Eiffel Tower, Sacré-Cœur Basilica, and the Louvre Pyramid — to the small pleasures of daily life, this illustrated coffee table book captures the heart and soul of this marvelous city though the perspective of each artist’s brush. Everyone Loves Paris is a delightful meander that will inspire you to view the City of Light from a new angle and in a multitude of styles.
Bleak House, Charles Dickens
In true Dickensian style, a complex plot incorporates murder, comedy, mystery and romance challenging reader’s perception of beauty, nobility and power. Having survived an orphan-like childhood and serious illness Esther Summerson is yet to experience her first love, devotion and kindness in a seemingly uncaring world. An investigation, led by inspector Bucket, the first detective to appear in fiction, uncovers the truth about Esther’s mother and her tragic life. A tale of redemption creates a sense of triumph of a young woman over an oppressive social system.
Buy it on AmazonDiamond Head, by Cecily Wong
Cecily Wong’s debut novel slowly unravels the secrets of the wealthy Leong’s family. Four generations of women are linked by a ‘red string of fate’ that follows them from China all the way to Hawaii. Diamond Head is the story of a family’s fortunes being shaped by historical events ranging from The Boxer Rebellion to Pearl Harbor.
Buy it on AmazonLady Susan, Jane Austen
A less well-known novel by Jane Austen takes the form of a series of letters giving an authentic edge to the story. Lady Susan Vernon’s determination to secure an advantageous marriage for herself contrasts with her intentions to marry off her teenage daughter. A woman with no conscience, Lady Susan is unstoppable in pursuit of her own happiness and, at the same time, attempts to manipulate her daughter into a potentially disastrous match. The novel beautifully intertwines Regency manners and morals expressed through witty characters and remains, arguably, the most charming novel of the 19th century.
Buy it on AmazonListen to Your Mother, Ann Imig
“This collection of stories celebrates modern day motherhood — from adoption, assimilation to emptying nests; first-time motherhood, foster-parenting, to infertility; single-parenting, LGBTQ parenting, to special-needs parenting; step-mothering; never mothering, to surrogacy; and mothering through illness to mothering through unsolicited advice. Listen to Your Mother is an emotional whirlwind that guarantees to entertain, amuse, and enlighten”.
Buy it on AmazonReturn of the Native, Thomas Hardy
One of Hardy’s best novels, Return of the Native centres on Egdon Heath and its inhabitants. In fact, the landscape becomes an integral part of the plot, influencing the lives of the characters. In their quest for true love, Thomasin, Wildeve, Eustacia and Clym face passion, sorrow and challenges associated with superstition, faith and family bonds. Clym’s turbulent and intense relationship with his mother has a profound impact on his love life leading to separation from Eustacia and a split with Mrs Yeobright leading to tragedy for almost all involved.
Buy it on AmazonThe light between oceans, M.L. Stedman
Tom secures the post of lighthouse keeper on an isolated island and his new home seems idyllic for a young couple eager to start a family. But years later, having suffered the loss of their unborn babies, the couple discover a baby in a boat washed up on the beach. “Irresistible and seductive New York Times bestseller with a high concept plot will keep you riveted from the first page” (The Oprah Magazine).
Buy it on AmazonLady Windermere’s Fan, Oscar Wilde
“There’s nothing in the world like the devotion of a married woman. It’s a thing no married man knows anything about.”
A famous comedy of manners by Oscar Wilde is laced with mystery, scandal and sexual politics. Lady Windermere is a young aristocratic lady with strict moral codes but her world turns upside-down when her husband is rumoured to have an affair. The older, beautiful Mrs Erlynne, uses her association with Lord Windermere to re-enter society after 20 years of absence. The play climaxes with a revelation that restores harmony in the Windermere family. A treasure chest of wisdom, the play is enriched with aphorisms that are relevant in the modern world.
Buy it on AmazonLittle Women, Louisa May Alcott
Ever since its publication, this literary gem has inspired generations of family stories. Set in a New England community, this novel tells a story of jealousy, pride, patience and sorrow. Civil war has taken its toll on the March sisters who have to cope with their Father’s absence. Practical Meg, outspoken and tomboyish Jo, sweet-natured Beth and artistic Amy support their Marmee by taking over extra responsibilities. So, despite poverty, Beth’s illness and worries over their Father’s safety the sisters manage to maintain their high spirits and zest for life.
Buy it on AmazonThe Scarlet Letter, Nathaniel Hawthorne
Set in 17th century Boston, this novel portrays Puritan society with its prejudice against women committing adultery. Following the affair with Dimmesdale, Hester gives birth to a baby girl, Pearl. Publicly disgraced, she is forced to wear a scarlet letter “A”, branding her as an “Adulterer”. Incredibly insightful, Hester makes acute observations of female predicaments that disadvantage vulnerable women. Hawthorne describes a strong female character who lives through years of shame and scorn in her exile drawing on her fighting spirit to deal with her personal dilemmas.
Buy it on Amazon Listen via AudibleSons and Lovers, D. H. Lawrence
Partially based on the author’s life, Sons and Lovers is a compelling story about the clash of generations. Unable to find true happiness in her marriage, Gertrude Morel refocuses her passions on her sons: William and Paul. In search of escape from his mother’s suffocating grasp, Paul throws himself into relationships with numerous women. However, the fragile equilibrium cannot be restored when maternal love oversteps its usual boundaries.
Buy it on AmazonWhere’d You Go, Bernadette, Maria Semple
When anxiety takes the better of Bernadette, she develops agoraphobia, entrusting all her errands to a virtual assistant in India. Then, unable to face reality, and shortly before her planned trip to Antarctica, Bernadette disappears. She leaves her fifteen-year-old daughter, Bee, guessing what prompted her mother to vanish so suddenly. In her desperate search for the truth, Bee puts together email messages, documents and secret correspondence that unveil the reasons behind Bernadette’s disappearance.
Anna Karenina, Leo Tolstoy
Anna Karenina is one of the most complex female literary characters. Trapped in a passionless marriage, Anna finds joy in her son Seryozha, who she cares for deeply. But a hurricane of emotions irrevocably changes her life when she meets Count Vronsky – an eligible bachelor with military aspirations. The love affair prompts our heroine to re-evaluate her commitments and abandon her family. Rejected by society and denied access to her child, Anna is consumed with despair and heads toward self-destruction.
Buy it on AmazonAnne’s House of Dreams, Lucy Maud Montgomery
The fifth novel in the “Anne of Green Gables” series follows the story of a red-haired orphan who is about to marry her childhood sweetheart, Gilbert Blythe. The happy couple start their new life together on the misty shores of Four Winds Harbour. From here Anne embarks on emotional rollercoaster experiencing the joy of motherhood and the pain of losing a child. Montgomery masterfully depicts happiness and great tragedy in the early years of marriage. He enriches his novel with unique characters: Captain Jim with his sad nautical stories and the tragically beautiful Leslie Moore.
Buy it on Amazon
Stella
Stella is a Marketing Consultant and has been writing content for Full Text Archive since 2015. When she is not writing, she is meticulously planning our social and e-mail campaigns. Stella holds a bachelor’s degree in English and Russian Literature, which has provided a broad foundation from which she continues to explore the written world.
She spends her free time reading, visiting old castles and discovering new coffee shops. She can be reached at stella
Ótimos livros ,li a maioria .