Chouette By Claire Oshetsky
Synopsis.
“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.
The Review
CHOUETTE
By Claire Oshetsky
This one is weird, wild, and fantastic.
Have you seen this cover? It’s stunning!
I had the ebook version, kindly #gifted to me by Ecco and @netgalley
(thanks)
But I waited until its release date so I could catch it on audiobook. Because one of my favorite narrators is narrating it, and I’m happy I did.
Julia Whelan is a favorite of mine, and her performance in this audiobook is flawless. When I say the choice is perfection- I mean it!!
She creates an enticing atmosphere making it magical and memorable.
The book itself is a gem. It’s quick, fast-paced, has a lilt to it, a sense of humor and is supremely invigorating.
Weird, know that!
Fantastical, accept that!
Magical, read it!
5 stars
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