Mildred Pierce, a novel by author James M. Cain, was originally published in 1941. Like his previous books, Mildred Pierce is a roman noir—a French term that translates literally to “black novel”—a genre in which all the characters have significant flaws, the world is a corrupt and unforgiving place, and there are strong sexual overtones. Cain was already well known to readers and to movie viewers—two of his previous novels, The Postman Always Rings Twice and Double Indemnity, were bestselling books in the 1930s that quickly made it onto the silver screen. Unlike Cain’s previous work, Mildred Pierce is not a crime story or a murder mystery—rather, Cain meant this novel to be a slice-of-life examination about the struggles of a single mother during the Great Depression. Possibly for this reason, the 1945 adaptation of Mildred Pierce made significant changes to the storyline, most significantly adding a murder.

This guide refers to the Random House Vintage Books reprint from 1969. Please note: Although there are no racial slurs, there are several instances of derogatory language referring to characters of Italian descent.

Plot Summary

In 1931, in Glendale, California, Mildred Pierce’s husband Bert leaves her and their two daughters for Maggie, a widow he’s been having an affair with. The family’s only source of income is Mildred’s cake baking business—Bert’s real estate business went under in the early days of the Depression.

Mildred’s neighbor Lucy becomes her trusted confidante, and Mildred begins a sexual relationship with Wally Burgan, an attorney and former associate of Bert’s.

Mildred knows she must obtain a job to keep her home, which Bert mortgaged; however, she has no skills or experience. At first, she waitresses, but when Mildred’s 11-year-old daughter Veda is scandalized that her mother has such a demeaning job, Mildred decides to open her own restaurant. Bert’s old company donates a building to her after she cajoles Bert into granting her a divorce.

While Mildred spends a weekend with new beau Monty Beragon, her seven-year-old daughter Ray gets the flu and goes to the hospital. While Mildred is busy with the imminent opening of the restaurant, Ray gets worse and dies. Grieving, Mildred admits to herself how grateful she is that it was Ray and not Veda who died.

Mildred opens her restaurant the day after Ray’s funeral. It is a huge success.

As Mildred becomes painfully aware of the difference in their social classes and expectations between her and Monty, Veda grows close to Monty, gaining access to his circle of elite friends. Monty believes Veda has real musical ability and talks Mildred into letting Veda take piano lessons. When Monty’s investments suddenly run dry, Mildred gives him money to cover his expenses.

Veda becomes furious when she does not get a new grand piano for Christmas, insulting Mildred by saying Monty is only interested in her sexually. Mildred knows Veda and Monty are helpless without her and decides to end her relationship with Monty on New Year's Eve. She promises Veda that the next day she will purchase a piano.

Mildred opens two new restaurants, one in Beverly and one at Laguna Beach. After Veda’s music teacher dies, another teacher turns her down—Veda’s piano talent is not as stellar as she had hoped. Veda falls in with a questionable crowd and begins to go out at night. Mildred hears a rumor that Veda is pregnant; when she offers to track down the father, Veda tells her to back off. When Mildred realizes Veda is not pregnant and is just blackmailing the young man’s family, she kicks Veda out of her house.

Veda gets a job singing on the radio; all are amazed at her talent. Wanting to reestablish ties, Mildred tries to contact her through her voice teacher, but he warns Mildred to stay away: Veda is spectacularly talented but a narcissist. Mildred hatches a plan to reconnect with Veda by renewing her relationship with Monty. She seduces him, asks him to marry her, and buys his mansion, which works—Veda throws Mildred a surprise party thrown and sings “Here Comes the Bride.” Veda moves into the mansion and her notoriety increases.

Having spent her financial reserves winning back Monty and Veda, Mildred meets with her creditors’ representative, Wally. They demand that Veda pay her debts. She rushes home only to discover Veda in bed with Monty. Mildred attacks and chokes Veda, causing her to lose her ability to sing.

Months later, on Christmas Day, Mildred, Bert, and Veda share a meal at their old Glendale house. Mildred has divorced Monty and remarried Bert. Her businesses are in receivership. Unable to sing, Veda has lost her contract. As they eat, Veda, her voice suddenly healed, announces that she is moving to New York with Monty: She has a new, more lucrative contract. Mildred realizes the lost voice was a ploy allowing Veda to break her contract. She tells Veda never to return.