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3.61 AVERAGE
3.61 AVERAGE
Oh my god. I’m obsessed with this premise. I feel like the author really captured the dehumanization that mothers undergo, the loss of self. To be mother is to become something other than human. The inexplicable propensity for violence. I was hooked as this mother descended into madness. What didn’t really work for me was the ending. It seemed unrealistic, which I realize is unfair to say about this bizarre story. The mother embraces this nightbitch part of herself and shares it with the world as art, and her husband, her friends all accept it? They revere and respect it? I guess I just expected them to take up pitchforks but who doesn’t like a happy ending I guess? In that way it didn’t really live up to its kafkaesque premise.
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Really enjoyed "Nightbitch", it was intense and grotesque, but incredibly well developed. I particularly enjoyed the way it was written, and the insight of the protagonist, simultaneously an ambiguous and yet very specific character, propelled the narrative through insightful ideas about motherhood and identity. Although I suppose it could be said that the focal point was a little restrained at times, I don't think that took too much away from the general sentiment of the novel, and I think this will certainly be a book that I return back to in the future.
medium-paced
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
While I overall thought the metaphor worked, it felt a little heavy-handed. I got the narrator’s frustrations with motherhood and her husband’s lack of empathy, but at times it felt like the author was beating a dead horse.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death
Minor: Toxic relationship, Excrement
It was really repetitive and monotonous about how motherhood destroyed her life and identity so I was already pretty over it, but once she murdered the cat , I was done.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death
