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thebobsphere's review
4.0
Over the past few years I have been reading some excellent books on motherhood; from the multi generational aspect used in Burnt Sugar to the more visceral The Bitch . Claire Oshetsky’s Chouette is another novel which takes motherhood and gives it a fresh (and occasionally fearsome) perspective.
The main protagonist, Tiny is pregnant and, as stated in the beginning, she thinks it’s a female owl who impregnated her. As the book proceeds the owl metaphor becomes stronger and takes on different meanings. At this stage Tiny is worried about her pregnancy and is reflecting on what it means to be carrying a baby. During an ultrasound Tiny notices that her foetus is birdlike. Thus the owl also represents a potential problem.
Unlike most motherhood narratives, the father is included in the narrative. Here he is presented as the antithesis to his partner. He dismisses his wife for fussing and ignores her pleas for help.
When the actual birth happens, we discover that the child may have some sort of problem. Once again the bird motif is strong. once again the husband tries to normalise the situation but these plans backfire due to the child’s problems. Some are brutal, some with gory results but the fine line between reality and fantasy are crossed quite a few times.
By the end of Chouette the owl occurs as a metaphor for trauma and the narrator describes an event which provides a sort of closure for the reader.
Chouette is surreal at times but it’s also an expansive novel. By this I mean Claire Oshetsky, not only includes pregnancy and birth but psychological effects and the husband’s involvement in mother. At times this book does feel highly personal. Also, like the many works of contemporary/experimental music mentioned (as Tiny is a cellist) the book moves and shifts in the same way.
One her Goodreads page, Claire Oshetsky, under her Lark Benobi alias states that Han Kang’s The Vegetarian was an influence. I can see that. Like that book, Chouette balances moments of ugliness with beautiful ones. Either way, this is an unforgettable novel.
The main protagonist, Tiny is pregnant and, as stated in the beginning, she thinks it’s a female owl who impregnated her. As the book proceeds the owl metaphor becomes stronger and takes on different meanings. At this stage Tiny is worried about her pregnancy and is reflecting on what it means to be carrying a baby. During an ultrasound Tiny notices that her foetus is birdlike. Thus the owl also represents a potential problem.
Unlike most motherhood narratives, the father is included in the narrative. Here he is presented as the antithesis to his partner. He dismisses his wife for fussing and ignores her pleas for help.
When the actual birth happens, we discover that the child may have some sort of problem. Once again the bird motif is strong. once again the husband tries to normalise the situation but these plans backfire due to the child’s problems. Some are brutal, some with gory results but the fine line between reality and fantasy are crossed quite a few times.
By the end of Chouette the owl occurs as a metaphor for trauma and the narrator describes an event which provides a sort of closure for the reader.
Chouette is surreal at times but it’s also an expansive novel. By this I mean Claire Oshetsky, not only includes pregnancy and birth but psychological effects and the husband’s involvement in mother. At times this book does feel highly personal. Also, like the many works of contemporary/experimental music mentioned (as Tiny is a cellist) the book moves and shifts in the same way.
One her Goodreads page, Claire Oshetsky, under her Lark Benobi alias states that Han Kang’s The Vegetarian was an influence. I can see that. Like that book, Chouette balances moments of ugliness with beautiful ones. Either way, this is an unforgettable novel.
leakaroo's review against another edition
4.25
This book exceeded my expectations honestly! I knew I would love the story to some extent, but what really surprises me is how much I adore Claire Oshetsky's writing style. It's very fun (the use of 'yabber-yabber' and 'scrabble-scrabble' is so fun throughout the book without being too much), as well as rhythmic which aligns with Tiny's character and how she's a cellist and often soundtracks her life with music.
The book delved into the topic of motherhood and the difficulties of mothering a "not normal" child much deeper than i was expecting. Here's some things that stood out to me:
- Tiny loses her hobbies and much of her previous life joys once she is pregnant. This is mainly discussed at the beginning, but I loved the way Oshetsky brings it back near the end, with the husband questioning why Tiny has become so 'boring' and "given up" her hobbies. It shows in a realistic way how people don't realise that motherhood takes a lot of sacrifices.
- I also love the father's absurd rationale for his actions. The way he defends that he is "trying to help" Chouette, and manipulating Tiny to think she is the one harming the family was executed is a realistic way! I could see how the husband's deceptive words would actually work on someone in real life.
With the idea of Tiny's owl-lover, I interpreted it as possibly Tiny's own neurodivergence that she has tried to embrace on-and-off throughout her life. After escaping her dad and meeting with owl-lover, it seems to imply she was on a journey to accepting her neurodivergence OR her feelings towards her trauma.
Anyway, I'm just extremely impressed with this book and the many metaphors it manages to balance in this lovely little book.
The book delved into the topic of motherhood and the difficulties of mothering a "not normal" child much deeper than i was expecting. Here's some things that stood out to me:
- Tiny loses her hobbies and much of her previous life joys once she is pregnant. This is mainly discussed at the beginning, but I loved the way Oshetsky brings it back near the end, with the husband questioning why Tiny has become so 'boring' and "given up" her hobbies. It shows in a realistic way how people don't realise that motherhood takes a lot of sacrifices.
- I also love the father's absurd rationale for his actions. The way he defends that he is "trying to help" Chouette, and manipulating Tiny to think she is the one harming the family was executed is a realistic way! I could see how the husband's deceptive words would actually work on someone in real life.
With the idea of Tiny's owl-lover, I interpreted it as possibly Tiny's own neurodivergence that she has tried to embrace on-and-off throughout her life. After escaping her dad and meeting with owl-lover, it seems to imply she was on a journey to accepting her neurodivergence OR her feelings towards her trauma.
Anyway, I'm just extremely impressed with this book and the many metaphors it manages to balance in this lovely little book.
svmreads's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.5
sayyayzel's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
askatknits's review against another edition
3.0
This is truly one crazy book! It is thoroughly unexpected (but not always in a good way) The heroine (?) - Tiny - finds herself pregnant yet the baby is not her husband's... nope, she is having an Owl-Baby... dear little Chouette. The relationship between Chouette and Tiny begins shortly after conception... and so begins the reader's wild ride on this fable. The story is very disconcerting and it made me think of how those who are not "normal" (whatever your normal is) are treated and how much effort is made on changing the "not normal" to be normal rather than accepting them for who and what they are... in all their unique beauty!
The ending...I did so not see that coming. If you would like a little time in an alternate reality, read this book!
The ending...I did so not see that coming. If you would like a little time in an alternate reality, read this book!
nooralala's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
mal__ori's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
joeyg896's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
ashandtheink's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5