A review by imogenrose97
Is Mother Dead by Vigdis Hjorth

challenging dark emotional informative reflective sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Well fuck. People keep telling me that they thought the book was weird but it just felt like living in my brain. The full narrative with supposed 'evidence', back filled when a new fact is learned, because of course that's true, and it still fits perfectly in my narrative see, that makes it more true. Johanna, our protagonist, edges closer and closer to a precipice that she doesn't seem to see coming. Scratching at an itch compulsively as if doing so will reveal the inspiration for an artwork beneath. It all felt deliciously plausible to me, except she's acting on it, except she's believing what her brain is telling her. 
The writing held thoughts on having a mother and being a mother tied together so well it stung, to have both sides laid out for you and with such a forgiving kindness for the actions of the past. Feelings that felt indescribable to me were there. This book reminded me why I love reading.