Summary

'Mother's Milk' is a complex family portrait that examines the shifting allegiances between mothers, sons and husbands. The novel's perspective ricochets among all members of the Melrose family starting with Robert, who provides an exceptionally droll and compelling account of being born; to Patrick, a hilariously churlish husband who has been sexually abandoned by his wife in favour of his sons; to Mary, who's consumed by her children and an overwhelming desire not to repeat the mistakes of her own mother.