The novel centers on Mildred Pierce, a determined and ambitious woman who separates from her unemployed husband during the Great Depression. Struggling to maintain her family's middle-class lifestyle and gain independence, Mildred enters the restaurant business, which brings her both success and new challenges. Despite her achievements, her life is complicated by personal betrayals and the tumultuous relationship with her spoiled and manipulative daughter, Veda, whose approval and affection Mildred desperately seeks. The story explores themes of maternal sacrifice, social mobility, and the American dream, set against a backdrop of economic hardship.

The 8730th greatest book of all time