Daughter is a compelling family drama centred around Mona, a twenty-something playwright, and her tumultuous relationship with her father, Paul. The emotional core of the novel resides in the complex and toxic bond between Mona and Paul, a narcissistic figure with seemingly no redeeming qualities. The narrative unfolds as Mona, a successful playwright and actress, receives a letter from her teenaged half-sister, Eva, born from Paul’s second marriage to Cherry, cutting off all contact and declaring her as untrustworthy and unworthy of connection.
The story opens with Mona’s initial success in her career, her stable relationship with Wes, her partner and fellow actor, and the semblance of a content life. However, Eva’s letter serves as a catalyst for a series of flashbacks, revealing the events leading up to this estrangement.
Paul, a successful writer, is the elusive and emotionally distant father who had little involvement in Mona’s life since he left her mother, Natasha, for Cherry. Their infrequent meetings at restaurants follow a repetitive pattern, with Paul undermining Mona’s self-esteem while simultaneously motivating her to succeed. Mona’s older sister, Julie, distances herself from Paul, deeming him destabilising, and criticises Cherry for her controlling and unkind nature. Despite the emotional hardships, Mona has always sought approval and connection within her father’s life and has made efforts to get closer to Eva.
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