Rae | The Finer Things Club CA's Reviews > Mass Mothering

Sarah Bruni’s 𝘔𝘢𝘴𝘴 𝘔𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 is essentially a book within a book. The primary narrator is only known to the audience as A. After experiencing some traumatic situations, A. avoids processing her feelings and retreats into translating a volume called Field Notes written by the mysterious Tomas Petritus. In the book, Petritus visits a town primarily made up of women and children and documents the grief of many mothers whose sons have gone missing. As A. translates and researches, she uncovers a larger story of fascism and political protest.

This is a poetically written story about the pain and cruelty women endure and the overwhelming forces of maternal love and sisterhood. Unfortunately, I felt emotionally disconnected for the majority of the novel due to the disjointed and detached writing style. While I understand that it was likely a choice to help convey the numbness of the main protagonist, I do wish I felt a stronger attachment to the characters and their arcs. I do still think 𝘔𝘢𝘴𝘴 𝘔𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 has beautiful and meaningful prose and I would recommend it to those interested in political fiction.

3.5 stars. Thank you to Henry Holt for an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.