My Mother’s Tears is an Contemporary African Literary Fiction novel written by Michael C. Desmond. It is a haunting, emotionally charged, and deeply human story that lingers in the heart long after the last page is turned.
The story follows Adanna, a young girl whose life is shaped by loss, struggle, and the relentless cruelty of circumstance. From the very beginning, the author draws readers into her world with vivid storytelling, evocative imagery, and an unflinching portrayal of the realities many children—especially orphans and vulnerable girls—face in society.
From childhood to marriage, Adanna’s life is marked by endless struggles and heartbreak. Born into a poor family, she loses her mother at a tender age and is sent to live with her strict and abusive aunt, Auntie Ngozi. Under her aunt’s roof, Adanna endures pain, rejection, and forced labor, yet she clings to hope for a brighter future.
As she grows older, she dreams of love and happiness. When she meets Chike, a charming and promising young man, she believes she has found her escape. However, marriage does not bring the peace she longs for. Instead, it introduces new wounds. Chike, once affectionate, becomes a serial cheater, leaving Adanna to grapple with loneliness, betrayal, and the crushing weight of society’s expectations.
Despite her tears and suffering, Adanna discovers an inner strength that enables her to rise above her pain. Through resilience, self-discovery, and an unexpected twist of fate, she begins to reclaim her life and identity.
My Mother’s Tears is a powerful story of endurance, love, and the unbreakable spirit of a woman who refuses to be defeated by life’s cruelty. Adanna’s journey is not just a personal one; it is a reflection of broader societal issues such as child neglect, emotional abuse, inequality, and the silent suffering of women.
What makes this book particularly compelling is its emotional depth. The title, My Mother’s Tears, is not merely symbolic—it becomes a recurring emotional thread that weaves the narrative together. The mother’s pain, hopes, and sacrifices are felt in every chapter, even in her physical absence. Her tears become a metaphor for endurance, love, and the high cost of survival in a harsh world.
The author’s writing is both tender and raw. There are moments of heartbreak that may move readers to tears, as well as moments of quiet strength that inspire admiration for Adanna’s resilience. The portrayal of characters like Auntie Ngozi adds tension and realism, demonstrating that not all guardians are kind and that family can sometimes be a source of pain rather than comfort.
Beyond the personal story, the novel subtly critiques societal structures that fail vulnerable children and place unbearable burdens on struggling mothers. It invites readers to reflect on empathy, compassion, and responsibility toward family, community, and society at large.
Overall, My Mother’s Tears is a beautifully crafted, emotionally resonant novel that speaks to anyone who has ever loved deeply, suffered silently, or fought to survive against the odds. It is a story of pain, but also of hope—a reminder that even in the darkest moments, the human spirit can endure.