A review by jen_abrahall
The Baby Is Mine by Oyinkan Braithwaite

dark mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Despite the fact this short story is set during the pandemic it is not pandemic focused. I would argue that although reading has been an escape from the pandemic for me the circumstances of a lockdown are what makes this narrative plausible. The more dystopian, strange elements come from the characters themselves rather than any backstory to explain why the characters are stuck in a house together. Beautifully well written, leaves out unnecessary back stories and allows you to make your own assumptions and judgements about the characters from the present narrative.  Not a lighthearted read as the story is fundamentally about child neglect and a newborn at the centre of a tempestuous household but none the less one I would highly recommend.