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A review by birdykinsreads
Motherthing by Ainslie Hogarth
challenging
dark
funny
tense
slow-paced
4.0
Truly such a WTF did I just read moment for all of us in this group buddy read with my book besties @graceisbookedandbusy and @roshlite.
I went in expecting a MIL haunting experience and left with something else altogether. This is one of the most unhinged-woman perspectives I’ve ever read, and I spent a lot of time wondering what was real, what was imagined, and what was purposefully obscured to confuse us/herself. It was also darkly funny in a way I loved.
While I did find myself not reaching for this with much enthusiasm, it still ended up feeling like a clever and super well done read. It gets extremely gory towards the end and I do feel like the unreliable narrator is actively gaslighting the reader so if either of those things bother you, than maybe not for you.
But, the way the POV gets increasingly unhinged and descends into madness is incredibly disturbing, a masterclass in self-delusion. Super satisfying, like chicken ala King (iykyk).
And that’s a wrap on my spooky reads for the season—I think it’s possible I might be finally moving out of my horror era!! Whew she was demented there for a bit. Maybe I’m ready for something a little more lighthearted now? Stay tuned!
I went in expecting a MIL haunting experience and left with something else altogether. This is one of the most unhinged-woman perspectives I’ve ever read, and I spent a lot of time wondering what was real, what was imagined, and what was purposefully obscured to confuse us/herself. It was also darkly funny in a way I loved.
While I did find myself not reaching for this with much enthusiasm, it still ended up feeling like a clever and super well done read. It gets extremely gory towards the end and I do feel like the unreliable narrator is actively gaslighting the reader so if either of those things bother you, than maybe not for you.
But, the way the POV gets increasingly unhinged and descends into madness is incredibly disturbing, a masterclass in self-delusion. Super satisfying, like chicken ala King (iykyk).
And that’s a wrap on my spooky reads for the season—I think it’s possible I might be finally moving out of my horror era!! Whew she was demented there for a bit. Maybe I’m ready for something a little more lighthearted now? Stay tuned!