'Nightbitch' by Rachel Yoder is a novel that delves into the complexities of motherhood, exploring the challenges and joys of being a stay-at-home mother in the US. The story follows the protagonist as she navigates the twin pulls of external acceptance and the magic of child-rearing, providing a unique perspective on procreation without sugar-coating the tribulations. Through a blend of weird yet addictive writing style, the book offers a psychological exploration of motherhood, incorporating themes of modern middle-class existence and the struggles faced by women in society.
The narrative of 'Nightbitch' weaves together elements of horror, humor, and introspection, creating a feminist manifesto that challenges traditional notions of motherhood. The book artfully blurs the lines between reality and fantasy, with a focus on the protagonist's journey of self-discovery and the raw emotions associated with maternal instincts. Yoder's unconventional approach to storytelling, including the use of unnamed characters and dark humor, adds depth to the narrative and makes the book a thought-provoking exploration of womanhood and societal expectations.
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Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
Content warnings for Nightbitch include graphic violence against animals, identity loss, mental health struggles, and the societal pressures of being a mother.
From The Publisher:
NAMED A BEST BOOK OF 2021 BY VULTURE AND ESQUIRE
LONGLISTED FOR THE PEN/HEMINGWAY DEBUT NOVEL AWARD
"A bold book, funny and bizarre and without comparison."-Elle
In this blazingly smart and voracious debut, an artist turned stay-at-home mom becomes convinced she's turning into a dog.
One day, the mother was a mother, but then one night, she was quite suddenly something else...
An ambitious mother puts her art career on hold to stay at home with her newborn son, but the experience does not match her imagination. Two years later, she steps into the bathroom for a break from her toddler's demands, only to discover a dense patch of hair on the back of her neck. In the mirror, her canines suddenly look sharper than she remembers. Her husband, who travels for work five days a week, casually dismisses her fears from faraway hotel rooms.
As the mother's symptoms intensify, and her temptation to give in to her new dog impulses peak, she struggles to keep her alter-canine-identity secret. Seeking a cure at the library, she discovers the mysterious academic tome which becomes her bible, A Field Guide to Magical Women: A Mythical Ethnography, and meets a group of mommies involved in a multilevel-marketing scheme who may also be more than what they seem.
An outrageously original novel of ideas about art, power, and womanhood wrapped in a satirical fairy tale, Nightbitch will make you want to howl in laughter and recognition. And you should. You should howl as much as you want.
Ratings (39)
Incredible (10) | |
Loved It (9) | |
Liked It (6) | |
It Was OK (8) | |
Did Not Like (4) | |
Hated It (2) |
Reader Stats (140):
Read It (41) | |
Currently Reading (1) | |
Want To Read (78) | |
Did Not Finish (4) | |
Not Interested (16) |
3 comment(s)
This is without a doubt one if the weirdest books I've read this year and in some years at that. It could easily fit in at every start rating from one star to five stars. So it's quite tricky to rate. It was an unique reading experience and while I'm glad I'm not Turing into a dog I'm equally as glad not being a mother or in a relationship.
Lovely, haunting, TERRIFYING for a future maybe nightbitch...
3.5*
What can you read after
Nightbitch?
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