Chouette
Books | Fiction / Fantasy / Dark Fantasy
4
Claire Oshetsky
LONGLISTED FOR THE 2022 PEN/FAULKNER AWARD FOR FICTION "Claire Oshetsky's novel is a marvel: its language a joy, its imagination dizzying." --Rumaan Alam, New York Times bestselling author of Leave the World Behind An exhilarating, provocative novel of motherhood in extremis Tiny is pregnant. Her husband is delighted. "You think this baby is going to be like you, but it's not like you at all," she warns him. "This baby is an owl-baby." When Chouette is born small and broken-winged, Tiny works around the clock to meet her daughter's needs. Left on her own to care for a child who seems more predatory bird than baby, Tiny vows to raise Chouette to be her authentic self. Even in those times when Chouette's behaviors grow violent and strange, Tiny's loving commitment to her daughter is unwavering. When she discovers that her husband is on an obsessive and increasingly dangerous quest to find a "cure" for their daughter, Tiny must decide whether Chouette should be raised to fit in or to be herself--and learn what it truly means to be a mother. Arresting, darkly funny, and unsettling, Chouette is a brilliant exploration of ambition, sacrifice, perceptions of ability, and the ferocity of motherly love.
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Author
Claire Oshetsky
Pages
241
Publisher
HarperCollinsPublishers
Published Date
2021
ISBN
006306667X 9780063066670
Community ReviewsSee all
"A stunning, otherworldly novel on motherhood, depression, desire, and the sacrifices one makes for their child. Visceral and heartrending, we see the consequences of trying to force changes in non-conforming children, and the toll that unconditional love takes over time. We see various transformations, but literal and figurative, about the codependency that trauma can cause, the stages and grief and acceptance when a child outgrows the need of their parents. The repressed desires and nature of individuals because of societal expectation and the toxic mentality of “I know what is best for my child,” despite their pain or unhappiness. This move is vivid, enticing, and quick to embed itself in your heart. "
Emily
"imagine “nightbitch” if it were bad"
em
"Too bizarre and metaphorical for my taste, especially since I never really pinned down the metaphor."
Ricki Marking-Camuto
"This is the best book I’ve read all year. Eerie, poignant, beautiful, novel exploration in child rearing, love, motherhood, and birthing an owl baby."
Chelsia Rice
"Wow, I am so grateful I didn't cancel my hold on this title. So weird, yet genuine and heartfelt.<br/><br/>Shelved as horror; Claire Oshetsky did not come to play with the depictions of gore.<br/>"
G
Grace
"For a book that's told in an almost surrealistic manner or as an allegory, this is the most accurate portrayal of motherhood I've ever read. It's dark, eerie and beautiful. This won't be for everyone, but for those it is it will hit hard #"
Ashley May