Classics:
* "The Odyssey" by Homer: Penelope, Odysseus's wife, endures years of separation from her son Telemachus, while she awaits her husband's return from the Trojan War.
* "Little Women" by Louisa May Alcott: The story follows the March sisters, with their mother struggling financially to raise them alone.
* "Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Brontë: Jane's early life is marked by separation from her mother, who dies when she is young. The theme of separation continues throughout the novel as Jane endures various hardships and experiences.
Modern & Contemporary:
* "The Handmaid's Tale" by Margaret Atwood: Offred is a woman in a dystopian society where women are stripped of their identities and forced into servitude. The novel explores the profound loss of motherhood and the desire for connection.
* "The Lovely Bones" by Alice Sebold: Susie Salmon, a young girl who is murdered, watches over her family and the investigation of her death from heaven. The story highlights the grief and trauma that a mother faces after the loss of her daughter.
* "The Remains of the Day" by Kazuo Ishiguro: Stevens, a loyal butler, reflects on his life of service and his missed opportunities for love and connection. His regretful feelings are linked to his inability to connect with his estranged daughter.
* "The Kite Runner" by Khaled Hosseini: Amir, the protagonist, grapples with guilt and the consequences of his actions. His relationship with his father and the loss of his childhood friend, Hassan, are deeply intertwined with themes of separation and longing.
* "The Secret Life of Bees" by Sue Monk Kidd: Lily Owens, a young girl escaping a difficult home life, finds solace and connection with the Boatwright sisters, who offer her a place to belong. The novel explores themes of family, loss, and the search for identity.
* "The Color Purple" by Alice Walker: Celie, a young Black woman living in the American South, endures abuse and separation from her children. The novel highlights the resilience and strength of Black women who overcome adversity.
Other Notable Works:
* "Rebecca" by Daphne du Maurier: The young nameless narrator, living in the shadow of her deceased predecessor, Rebecca, struggles to find her place in her new marriage and in her life.
* "The House on Mango Street" by Sandra Cisneros: Esperanza, a young Latina girl, navigates adolescence in a Chicago neighborhood, longing for a home and a life beyond her current circumstances.
* "Room" by Emma Donoghue: A young woman, Joy Newsome, and her five-year-old son, Jack, are held captive by a man for seven years. The novel explores their bond and their desperate attempts to escape.
This list is not exhaustive, but it offers a diverse range of works that explore the complexities of separation between mothers and daughters. Each story provides unique perspectives on the emotional impact of separation, the enduring power of the maternal bond, and the journeys of healing and resilience.