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3.16 AVERAGE
3.16 AVERAGE
I don't understand the sweeping criticism of this book, especially for those who enjoyed Motherthing. Stylistically and tonally, it's consistent with Hogarth's other works. It delivers well on its promise of being darkly witty, subversive, and biting. It makes explicit the connection between women's paid and unpaid labor and is a hilarious send-up to gendered expectations surrounding appearance, motherhood, and societal value. The real issue is the synopsis of the book which does it a disservice by centering around the supposed mystery of a missing person, making readers feel dissatisfied by its conclusion when that subplot isn't really the point of the book.
dark
emotional
reflective
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:
Complicated
Strange and funny, easy to finish in one day but I wanted more mystery! The writing style makes me believe that Hogarth is capable of truly wild stories, so I intend to read Motherthing soon.
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
funny
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I had high hopes for this book and was ultimately let down.
It seemed like a witty yet transformative take on motherhood and womanhood and all things in between and it was, at times. The other times were full of weird mom-shamey points of view that are dressed up as “feminist” and “modern” when they really just display motherhood as a burden that all women face.
The mystery factor that is depicted in the book’s description only starts 200 pages in and is the most exciting part of the whole story.
The ending was disappointing and had nothing to do with most of the tirades Hogarth filled the rest of the book with.
Honestly, Hogarth could write a killer murder-mystery-comedy and I would read it front to back, Normal Women was just not the vessel for her writing skills.
It seemed like a witty yet transformative take on motherhood and womanhood and all things in between and it was, at times. The other times were full of weird mom-shamey points of view that are dressed up as “feminist” and “modern” when they really just display motherhood as a burden that all women face.
The mystery factor that is depicted in the book’s description only starts 200 pages in and is the most exciting part of the whole story.
The ending was disappointing and had nothing to do with most of the tirades Hogarth filled the rest of the book with.
Honestly, Hogarth could write a killer murder-mystery-comedy and I would read it front to back, Normal Women was just not the vessel for her writing skills.
funny
mysterious
slow-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
This is a difficult book for me to review. On one hand, it contains important messages about gender dynamics and double standards, but on the other hand, it reinforces harmful depictions of motherhood that I don’t think were touched upon with care. This novel paints motherhood as a trap and prison—and while I do see the point of this depiction, it doesn’t also say that motherhood can be balanced with work and life outside your child. Yes, as a mother it is difficult to not default as the primary caregiver, but I think motherhood deserves a more nuanced depiction than what Hogarth offered.
The plot line with her solving the mystery of her friend’s disappearance didn’t start until more than halfway through this novel and that was written in the description. I was disappointed by the plot progression and it just felt like I was reading an angry (second wave; white) feminist manifesto. I have Hogarth’s other novel which I will give a try but this one really fell flat.
The plot line with her solving the mystery of her friend’s disappearance didn’t start until more than halfway through this novel and that was written in the description. I was disappointed by the plot progression and it just felt like I was reading an angry (second wave; white) feminist manifesto. I have Hogarth’s other novel which I will give a try but this one really fell flat.
slow-paced
this was a solid 3-star book for me, I didn’t mind all the musings (even if I didn't wholly agree with the point-of-view and it was a bit repetitive), but the ending… what was that?!
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Minor: Alcoholism, Cancer, Child death, Toxic relationship, Pregnancy, Toxic friendship