The Mother

Book Review

The Mother, a work by French writer François Mauriac, first published in 1941, is one of his most renowned novels. The book tells the story of the lives and fates of those surrounding the main character, Brigitte Pian, who, being a deeply religious woman, attempts to impose her moral vision on others. Mauriac masterfully reveals the psychology of the characters, showcasing the contradictions and duality of human nature. Through the character of Brigitte, who, despite her pursuit of moral purity and piety, effectively destroys lives with her actions, the author raises questions about faith, true virtue, and hypocrisy. The novel provokes deep reflections on the impact of personal beliefs on the lives of others and the price paid for an illusory moral high ground.