Her Mother's Daughter: A Novel Apr 2026

Josephine leaves Ireland to start fresh in London, but the trauma of her childhood remains an unshakeable burden.

Young Clare is an innocent child who meticulously navigates her mother’s "dark moods" and alcohol use. A summer trip to Ireland to visit a dying grandmother forces hidden family secrets to the surface, threatening to shatter their family forever. Key Themes and Perspectives

The narrative shifts between Josephine and Clare, offering a dual perspective on a deeply troubled relationship. Her Mother's Daughter: A Novel

Reviewers from Goodreads and Writing.ie highlight several poignant themes:

The novel examines how Josephine’s past abuse informs her own emotionally abusive behavior toward Clare, creating a cycle that feels difficult to break. Josephine leaves Ireland to start fresh in London,

Alice Fitzgerald’s debut novel, Her Mother’s Daughter , is a raw and vivid exploration of the lasting impact of childhood trauma and the complex bonds between mothers and daughters. Set across two decades in London and Ireland, the story follows Josephine, a woman fleeing a dark past in 1980s Ireland, and her ten-year-old daughter, Clare, who is living with the consequences of that past in 1997 London.

Fitzgerald explores the societal pressure on women to be "perfect" mothers and the crushing guilt that follows when they fall short. Key Themes and Perspectives The narrative shifts between

Clare represents pure innocence—modeled after William Blake’s The Lamb —while Josephine reflects the hardened "Tyger" of experience. Why It Resonates