(

in the US) is a compelling novel, filled with evocative imagery and language, and sensitive exploration of the psychological turmoil and memories of Minnie, the protagonist. The tale, initially concentrating on Minnie's return to Southern Ireland, the place of her happy youth, develops into a thriller as the body of Hugo, Nobel Prize wining author and owner of the house of Minnie's childhood, is found dead at home. The half mother of the title is Moura, Hugo's painter wife, who seems unmoved by his death, and who evolves as the novel progresses from a warm earth motherly sort into someone more dubious.

The village and the country house that Minnie returns to conjures up childhood memories of eternal summer, and the family of Hugo, returning because of

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Citation: Wisker, Gina. "Women Beware Women". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 07 July 2001 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/sworks.php?rec=true&UID=8852, accessed 27 November 2024.]