A deeply talented and immenently readable writer, Bonnie Jo Campbell continues her tradition of creating female characters who take up residence inside you, grow roots and refuse to be yanked out with her latest book, Mothers, Tell Your Daughters. The stories in this collection may be primarily located in rural places with people living in poverty but the core combination of steel and vulnerability of each character is so clear, they could be women anywhere in America. Campbell writes with a frankness that cuts deep, talks about every ugly aspect of a woman's life but her gift is you never feel burdened, you can take the abuse and get on with it and continue seeking what joy can be found. With each of her books, she explores the questions of how do we, as women, define ourselves in this world? Mothers, Tell Your Daughters is a brilliant answer.