A review by hmatt
Motherhood by Sheila Heti

challenging emotional slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.5

I really wanted to give this book a chance because some of my most-trusted book people recommend it - and this is the only reason I actually finished it. I found that I really don't get along with the experimental writing style, in addition to other critiques.

I get that this is "technically" fiction, but to call it a novel would be misleading. It's a thinly-veiled (bad) memoir with a bit of spice thrown in. It sort-of masquerades as a thought experiment, except the experiment is stupid and no real insights come out of it. Probably half the book involves the narrator flipping coins and taking the "yes/no" result as divine wisdom.

I will reiterate: I really wanted to like this. I'm someone who does not want children and is extremely interested in what other people who don't want children have to say. But this work just doesn't say anything to me. The narrator's observations felt whiney, recycled, and cliche. Such a disappointment. 

The chapter that I was actually the most captivated by was the one discussing mental health... so there you go. I'm not sure that one section was enough to convince me to give Heti another try, though.
Expand filter menu Content Warnings