Top 5 Worst Mums in Literature (Mrs. Trunchbull of Dahl’s ‘Matilda’ pictured)

Every classic tale has one, the despicable and appalling mother we all wish we never ever have! Here our are Top 5 Worst Mums in Literature. Read this list first and then take a look at our Top 5 Best Mums in Literature.

Grimms Fairy Tales
The Stepmother in Hansel and Gretel in GRIMMS’ FAIRY TALES by The Brothers Grimm

The abusive stepmother of Hansel and Gretel convinces their father and her husband to abandon the children in the woods so that they can have more food for themselves. It’s a case of karma when the children return with jewels and treasures, while the stepmother has died of unknown causes.

Matilda
Mrs Wormwood in MATILDA by Roald Dahl

Mr and Mrs Wormwood are the dimwitted and greedy parents of prodigious Matilda. They pay no attention to her and see her special skills as foolish and idiotic. It’s no wonder she left home to go live with her loving teacher Ms Honey.

Mary in PRECIOUS by Sapphire

Sapphire’s mother Mary is dysfunctional and abusive. This is truly one of the saddest and most disturbing books we’ve read.

Oranges are not the only fruit
Jeanette’s mother in ORANGES ARE NOT THE ONLY FRUIT by Jeanette Winterson

Combative and controlling, Jeanette’s mother adopted Jeanette because she wanted to train her daughter to be a servant of God. During the opening chapters, Jeanette’s mother does appear to love her daughter, but this love is conditional upon the way that Jeanette fills her mother’s expectations.

Pride and Prejudice
Mrs Bennet in PRIDE AND PREJUDICE by Jane Austen

There was some deliberation in the office from the PRIDE AND PREJUDICE aficionados about whether Mrs Bennett was a truly a bad mother. After many discussions back and forth, it was decided that the small-minded woman who was fixated on getting her daughters married would be #5 on this list. – Random House 06MAY2014

Click on the horrid Mrs. Trunchbull, a surprise follows.

Lots of love and inappropriate groping,

Hamish xxx