In a Country of Mothers

No relationship is more charged than that between a psychotherapist and her patientunless it is the relationship between a mother and her daughter. This disturbing literary thriller explores what happens when the line between those relationships blurs. Jody Goodman enters psychotherapy with questions of career and love on her mind. But Claire Roth, her therapist, keeps changing the focus of their sessions to Jody's parentageJody was adopted; Claire gave up a baby for adoption who would now be exactly Jody's age. As the two women become increasingly involved, speculation turns into certainty, fantasy into fixation. Until suddenly it is no longer clear just which of them needs the other moreor with more terrifying consequences.

A. M. Homes is the author of over 10 books including the novels May We Be Forgiven and Music for Torching; and the short story collection, Things You Should Know. Homes’s work has been translated into over 20 languages and she is a frequent contributor to Art Forum, Harpers, Granta, and more.