The Push meets The Silent Patient in a gripping thriller that follows a woman convinced a sinister figure is going to great lengths to make sure her pregnancy never happens—while the men in her life refuse to believe a word she says.
Anna Alcott is desperate to be pregnant. But as she tries to balance her increasingly public life with a grueling IVF journey, she starts to suspect that someone is going to great lengths to make sure her pregnancy never happens. Crucial medicines are lost. Appointments get swapped without her knowledge. And even when she finally manages to get pregnant, not even her husband is willing to believe that someone’s playing a twisted game with her.
When the increasingly cryptic threats drive her out of her Brooklyn brownstone and into hiding in the cold, gray ghost town that is the Hamptons in the depths of winter, Anna is almost at the end of her rope.
Then her doctor tells her she’s had a miscarriage—except Anna’s convinced she’s still pregnant, despite everything the grave-faced men around her claim. Could it be that her mind is playing tricks on her? Or is something more sinister at play? As her symptoms become ever more horrifying and the sense of danger ever more present, Anna can’t help but wonder what exactly she’s carrying inside of her…and why no one will listen when she says something is horribly, painfully wrong.
DELICATE CONDITION
Danielle Valentine
Season 12 of American Horror Story will be based on a book for the first time ever. DELICATE CONDITION by Danielle Valentine has been adapted and will be coming to the small screen later this fall, 2023.
DELICATE CONDITION is subtle but effective. I didn’t realize I was creeped out until it was too late. While reading the book it’s like you’re given secret notes for you to unopen when you’re alone later.
Let’s talk about it!
Anna is an actor and just wrapped up what might be her biggest role yet. But all that is on her mind is a more personal project. One of becoming a mother. It hasn’t been easy. It’s been difficult. She has been struggling with infertility to such an extent that she starts to fear someone, or something is trying to keep her from becoming pregnant, something nefarious.
Sadly, after becoming pregnant Anna suffers a devastating miscarriage. At least that’s what all her doctors are saying. Only Anna believes she is still pregnant.
We’ll leave it there.
DELICATE CONDITION is the perfect book for an upcoming adaptation. I read most of the book with season 1 of AMERICAN HORROR STORY: MURDER HOUSE on in the background. And it was the perfect accompaniment to the book. I believe out of all the seasons it is most similar in themes to the first installment. It will fit in quite well with the franchise.
The horror in DELICATE CONDITION is subtle and creeps up on you. Infests itself in your psyche. It reminds me a lot of Sara Gran’s COME CLOSER and I would be remiss to not mention its similarities to ROSEMARY’S BABY.
I heard a rumor that Kim Kardashian will be starring in the adaptation although her character has not been revealed yet. I can only speculate as to who I think she will play. It’ll be great no matter what and now that I’ve read the book, I can’t wait to see how it all comes to fruition.
If you decide to pick this up, keep in mind the themes are sensitive in nature and take care of yourself.
Thanks to Netgalley, SOURCEBOOKS Landmark, and Sourcebooks Landmark for the advanced copy and the opportunity to provide feedback!
DELICATE CONDITION…⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
