All my friends' mothers were appalling women

All my friends' mothers were appalling women

In Doris Lessing's novel "The Golden Notebook," the protagonist Anna Wulf reflects on her relationships with her friends and their mothers, ultimately coming to the conclusion that all of her friends' mothers were appalling women. This statement speaks to the complex dynamics of mother-daughter relationships and the impact that these relationships can have on a person's life.

Throughout the novel, Anna struggles with her own identity and sense of self, grappling with the expectations placed on her by society and the people around her. Her relationships with her friends' mothers serve as a reflection of the larger societal expectations placed on women and the ways in which these expectations can be damaging and oppressive.