A review by sydbrickey
Normal Women by Ainslie Hogarth

4.0

Loved!! It had a slow start, but once it picked up- it really picked up! I read other reviews and feel sad for the people who DNFd it, I think the end is well worth the beginning denser parts. As a SAHM, I could relate to a lot of the inner musings of Dani. I scoffed, laughed, snorted, and rolled my eyes at things Clark did, I got teary at how Dani thinks about her love of Lotte, and I sighed with jealousy at Dani finding inner peace outside of motherhood. Granted, very bizarre peace that she ended up almost going insane over, but inner peace and a sense of belonging nevertheless. I found it very entertaining that in the very end, she got exactly what she wanted: a name for her own, her own money, her potential fully realized, and all given to her on a silver platter by Clark! Her very own creature with pain! What I am confused about is how Clark initially heard of The Temple and how he thought it would be successful enough to bring in a lot of money for him. I also didn't understand the Haley plotline. It wasn't brought up until the middle of the book, despite it being something Dani finds earth-shattering and deeply upsetting, something she carries with her to this very day. I think a theme or a deeper meaning just went over my head with that. Great book. I love Hogarth's writing style! This was very different than Motherthing, as well, but in a way that I really appreciated! I don't want to read the exact same thing from the same author over and over again.