mother quest

[Robert Bruno]

I received this posting from the Librarian's forum on lit. in English 
listserv.  Maybe someone on this (Pynchon) list can help her out....

Rob


     Friends--

     I am interested in compiling a list of books which have a mother theme
     as a significant thrust.  I am specifically interested in the "mother
     quest,"  but Thomas Pynchon's VINELAND is the only book I can come up
     to satisfy that criteria, so I'm willing to accept suggestions on the
     broader topic.  (*Is* there a body of literature that deals with the
     mother quest?  Why am I drawing a blank on this?)

     And, yes, I've already considered the mother of all mother-themed
     books, Sons and Lovers.  And Proust.  And Joyce's PORTRAIT and
     ULYSSES.  I'm currently re-reading Beckett's MOLLOY, which has our
     hero ensconced in his mother's former room.  But, what else?

     I appreciate your input.

     Christine Karatnytsky
     Billy Rose Theatre Collection
     NYPL for the Performing Arts
     ckaratnytsky at nypl.org