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adventurous
challenging
funny
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
What did this book not cover? In the tortured experience of our protagonist, she explored it all - birth trauma, motherhood, marriage, middle age, peri/menopause, infidelity, sexuality, self actualization, aging.
From the “womb” (as she called it) of the Excelsior motel, the literal renovation of this small space became the impetus for an overhaul of her life.
The #1 descriptor I heard of this book prior to reading was, “it’s weird.” Yes, weird indeed. I like weird books; nevertheless, I struggled here. Not only was the main character, I guess, “weird” by conventional standards, I just… didn’t like her that much. Maybe that was the point.
I found the majority of the interpersonal interactions in this book cringey. As the reader, it seemed like I was being made uncomfortable for discomfort’s sake. This kept me afloat at the top of all these thematic elements, not really connecting deeply or resonating with any of them.
This novel did entertain and I found the writing style fantastic. Also, if you listened to this on audiobook (as I did for roughly half the book), the narrator was absolutely *chef’s kiss*! The audiobook experience alone elevated this whole reading experience, which is a rarity for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Sexual content
Moderate: Child death, Misogyny, Toxic relationship, Grief, Medical trauma
Minor: Suicide, Death of parent