Fitzgerald explores the societal pressure on women to be "perfect" mothers and the crushing guilt that follows when they fall short.
The narrative shifts between Josephine and Clare, offering a dual perspective on a deeply troubled relationship. Her Mother's Daughter: A Novel
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
What makes this book stand out is its "pitch-perfect" character voices. Clare’s sweet, innocent narrative provides a necessary balance to the darker, more disturbing elements of the plot, such as self-image struggles and mental health battles. Despite its heavy subjects, the author describes the ending as one of hope, suggesting that the cycle of trauma can ultimately be broken. Set across two decades in London and Ireland,
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.
Clare represents pure innocence—modeled after William Blake’s The Lamb —while Josephine reflects the hardened "Tyger" of experience. Why It Resonates