3 Books by Mona Awad

~ Lisa Helm ~ Leave a comment

If you’ve never heard of Mona Awad, I need you to stop what you’re doing and pay attention, because I’m about to send you down a rabbit hole you will not regret.

I’ve only read three of Mona Awad’s works, and all three can be classified as dark academia my favourite genre. Canadian author Mona Awad has quite theimagination. She writes novels that read like fevered dreams, especially for those of us who have a history of viewing ourselves as insecure, anxious, and at times with self-doubt.

My first experience with Awad was her novel All’s Well.  Honestly, I bought,this novel, because I thought the cover was beautiful, and because it was a reference to Shakespeare’s play. Miranda Fitch is a college drama teacher who is bound and determined to produce Shakespeare’s All’s Well That Ends Well, mostly because she wants to relive a time in her life when she was at the height of her acting career, playing the lead role of Helen. Her students, however, are equally bound and determined to perform Macbeth — a play that Miranda holds directly responsible for her debilitating chronic pain. When she meets three strange men at a bar (men who symbolize the three witches of Macbeth) Miranda engages in the most bizarre conversations. Soon after, the physical and emotional pain she carries begins to transfer onto the people she dislikes, and Miranda starts to feel a dark, intoxicating sense of power  at the expense of others.

Now, Bunny.  Bunny is the most wild of novels. Samantha McKey is part of a creative writing cohort at an Ivy League university. The entire story is told from her point of view, but we glean through her narrative (and she is an extremely unreliable narrator) that she is a loner. She views herself as superior to the others in her cohort, referring to them as “the Bunnies.” Soon, however, she is invited to join the Bunnies’ “Smut Salon” — a gathering where they meet to discuss their work. But the Smut Salon goes far beyond discussion. Soon the Bunnies are kidnapping, killing, and conducting all sorts of experiments to create. There are hints woven throughout that Samantha may be mentally ill, and that the world of the Bunnies and the Smut Salon is entirely a creation of her own mind.

​​The sequel to “Bunny:”  “We Love You, Bunny,” made me rethink every interpretation of “Bunny” I ever had. It’s written from the various points of view of the Bunnies themselves …they  finally  get to tell their side of the story. It seems Samantha, our protagonist and narrator from “Bunny”  has written a bestselling novel about, of all things, the Bunnies themselves. And they are not happy. Why? because they are not exactly written in the most flattering light. They kidnap Samantha and tie her up in the same attic where they once held their Smut Salon and conducted their gruesome creative experiments. In fact, the axe is still there — and it’s often picked up like a talking stick by the various narrators.

Where Bunny felt to me like a story about identity, creativity, and what one will sacrifice in order to create both an identity and a piece of art, We Love You, Bunny is more about on the creative process itself. It presents such questions as who owns a piece of art, what constitutes plagiarism, and what makes a creative work credible. Both novels, I believe, require a second reading and a long conversation in order to peel back all the layers

:Mona Awad is not for everyone but if you are someone who loves stories that blur the line between reality and imagination, that make you question everything you think you know about a character, and that stay with you long after you’ve closed the book she just might be exactly for you. I would love to know if any of you have read her work, and what you thought. As always, happy reading.

Nowhere Burning

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by Catriona Ward

Full disclosure, Catriona Ward’s writing is a favourite of mine; she could rewrite the ingredients of a cereal box, and I’d love it. So I was fully expecting to love this new novel of hers, and I did. Although it isn’t my favourite novel of hers, it was still a good, creepy, suspenseful, mystery, thriller, and horror novel.

The novel unfolds through multiple perspectives and timelines, with the estate of Nowhere serving as the central, unifying “character” of sorts.

Leif Winham, a renowned actor, retreats from a life of glamour to his secluded estate, Nowhere. He leads an isolated and enigmatic existence, prompting neighbors to view him as an eccentric recluse while remaining intrigued by both his lifestyle and the estate itself.

Tom, a documentarian, is driven to investigate Nowhere and the mythology that surrounds both the estate and its founder.

Riley, a young girl, experiences significant trauma after being orphaned and placed in the care of a cruel, abusive guardian referred to as ‘cousin.’ Both Riley and her younger brother suffer under this individual, ultimately compelling Riley to make the difficult decision to escape with her brother. The only refuge she can imagine is Nowhere, a place described to her by a girl named Noon, who visits her at night. Noon explains that Nowhere is a place ‘in the mountains under the stars where everyone gets love and respect,’ and provides Riley with written directions to this sanctuary for children like her can find a home.

I found each of these three perspectives equally enthralling, and when Ward expertly weaves the storyline together, the novel becomes an impressive, intricate piece of storytelling. 

I really enjoyed this novel, as I knew I would. It is deeply suspenseful, and I found the characters well-developed and interesting. I wanted to know their motivations, their backstories, and eventually how their lives unfold.

Thank you to Netgalley and Tor Publishing for the book

Nowhere Burning will be available February 24th.

You Did Nothing Wrong

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by CG Drews

Elodie leaves her life as a single mother in Australia to join Bren in the United States. Bren appears to be the ideal husband: he is handsome, a reliable provider, and willing to help raise her autistic son, Jude. Elodie is also pregnant, which makes her feel she finally has the foundation to start anew with her family. However, she remains uncertain about the old family home where Bren has relocated them. The house is in a constant state of renovation, and Jude dislikes it, claiming he can hear the walls talking. As Jude’s behavior deteriorates, Elodie fears her seemingly perfect life may unravel, particularly if Bren discovers her secret—a secret that could jeopardize her happiness or even her safety. Yet, Bren harbors secrets as well. The central question becomes: whose secrets pose the greater threat?

Just a heads up—the ending is completely wild and unpredictable.

Well, this was a creepy book. I found some parts predictable, and I was more than frustrated with some of the choices Elodie makes, but CG Drews seems to masterfully write a psychological thriller that will make me read more of her works. 

I also listened to this novel, and truth be told, I found the audio version even creepier. In fact, Saskia Maaleveld’s voice absolutely sent shivers down my spine. I had to listen to it in the bright sunlight of a walk and not in the dark of my bedroom at night. which is a testament to how well Saskia Maarleveld conveys character and atmosphere. 

If you like psychological horror, then this is the book for you. 

Trigger warnings: abuse, child abuse, physical abuse, violence, eating disorders, blood, psychological abuse, and gore.

Thank you to Netgalley and S. Martin’s press for the copy.

You Did Nothing Wrong will be out March 17th.

Lady Tremaine

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by Rachel Hochhauser

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for the copy.

I both listened to and read this novel.

Lady Tremaine is more than just a twist on the Cinderella story. It’s a feminist retelling of a tale many of us grew up with, where a beautiful girl loses her parents and is mistreated by her stepmother and stepsisters. In this version, Hochhauser focuses on Lady Tremaine, whose full name is Ethedreda Verity Isolde Tremaine Bramlay. The story opens with Lady Tremaine hunting with her peregrine falcon. After her second husband’s death, she tries to keep up the appearance of wealth so her two daughters and stepdaughter have a chance to marry well and secure their futures in a society that limits women’s options. Ethel, as she’s called in the novel, understands the risks her daughters face as unmarried women. The book then goes back to her youth, when she met her first love, Henry, who introduced her to falconry and became her closest friend. As the daughter of a successful brewer, Ethel’s family has some standing, but they aren’t considered true equals by the upper class. Henry isn’t the eldest son in his family, so their marriage doesn’t cause much attention.

When Henry dies suddenly, Ethel’s father-in-law tries to marry off her two young daughters, who are only seven and eight, to avoid paying for their care. To protect them from becoming child brides, Ethel looks for a second husband and meets Lord Bramley, who is Elin’s (Cinderella’s) father. Like in the original fairytale, this marriage is short-lived, and Ethel is left widowed and without money. She stays at the estate but struggles to maintain it. With her daughters and two loyal servants, Ethel works hard to keep things going, while Elin stays in her room, preparing for marriage and living a sheltered life.

As per the fairytale, the court soon holds a ball so that the prince can meet a young marriageable woman. The ball presents the perfect opportunity for Ethel to prepare her daughters for a union that will secure all of their futures…however, the prince and his family aren’t all they appear to be. Will Ethel find a way to secure her daughters’ safety and future, or will she inadvertently expose them to the exploitation that exists within families of political power and wealth?

I really enjoyed this novel. A fairytale, voiced by a middle-aged woman, telling of her experiences, the wisdom gleaned from them, and the ferocity with which she makes the decisions she does to provide a better life for her daughters. She is a courageous character who becomes heroic rather than villainous.

I loved reading and listening to this novel. Written in first-person point of view, the narrator, Bessie Carter, is wonderful at embodying Ethel’s character and at varying the voices of secondary characters. 

I would definitely introduce this novel into my High School Classroom as an independent choice for a novel study or small group study. 

You can buy Lady Tremaine the beginning of March.

Thank you to Negalley and St. Martin’s Press and Macmillan Audio for the copies.

Saoirse

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by Charleen Hurtubise

Sarah Walsh is on the run. The threat to her life is so intense that she steals the identity of another woman and flees to Ireland. On her flight, she meets Paul, a man who takes an uncomfortable interest in her, but Sarah has no one, so she accepts Paul’s help navigating a new country, even agreeing to stay with him and his family upon arrival. However, just like Sarah, Paul isn’t everything he appears to be. Soon, Sarah starts finding her own people and making friends, which is a huge relief after dealing with Paul and his oppressive family. The one exception? Paul’s dad is a kindly doctor who actually recognizes Sarah’s vulnerability and notices and encourages her artistic talent.

Her new friends anoint her with the name Saoirse (meaning ‘freedom’-an appropriate christening, as we shall soon see). 

The novel alternates between Sarah’s time in Ireland as Saoirse, where she begins to reinvent herself and build her life anew,  and Sarah’s past in Michigan, where we learn of the trauma she endures and her need to flee. The catalyst for the main conflict of the story (I’m not spoiling it because it happens at the beginning of the novel) is Saoirse’s public recognition as an artist, where she wins a prestigious award and is compelled to hold a public exhibit of her work. 

The novel is one of resilience, heartbreak, love, found family and the importance of art in healing and recovery.  I found it romantic (although at times frustrating with regard to Saoirse’s choices and rationale), infuriating in its themes of the archaic nature of the lack of a woman’s right to choose, and intriguing in its discussion of art. The chapters are organized and titled according to various artworks produced by Saoirse that seem to reflect, in both subject matter and medium, various periods of her life.

I both read and listened to this novel. If you are so inclined to listen to the audiobook, the narrator is wonderful.

Thank you to Netgalley and Caladon House for the copy.

Women of a Promiscuous Nature

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by Donna Everhart

Hey, so apparently in 1918, men who were drafted into the army were succumbing to venereal diseases, and it was all the fault of women ( insert look of incredible annoyance here). In fact here is the quote “What the Secretary of War and the Secretary of the navy are hereby authorized and directed to adopt measures for the purpose of assisting the various States in caring for civilian persons whose detention, isolation, quarantine or commitment to institutions may be found necessary for the protection of the military and naval forced of the United States agains veneral Disease” from the Chamberlain – Khan Act of 1918.

Here’s another quote from Trials of Nina McCall: Sex, Surveillance and the Decades-Long Government Plan to Imprison ‘Promiscuous’ Women by Scott Stern: “It is the philosophy they helped to cement: that women and promiscuous people are dangerous and morally inferior and that they need to be stopped, locked up, and reformed.” Seriously. This information is provided by the author at the beginning of the novel…just to get your anger primed.

This novel discusses this time in American history, and I was outraged every second I was reading it.

Our main characters are 24-year-old Ruth, who was forcefully detained by the sheriff and endured a humiliating internal exam by a doctor who proclaimed that she had a venereal disease…all for walking alone to work at the cafe one morning. But hey, she was pretty and alone, so that made her promiscuous and a threat to mean right?

Then there’s Stella, just 15, pregnant by her own father, and her parents are the ones who turn her in. She gets sterilized and locked away, because apparently, she’s a threat too.

And don’t get me started on the other women who were forcefully detained for owning their own business, being mentally ill, or hey, you’re just too darned pretty to be single, so you pose a threat.

All of these women are institutionalized at the State Industrial Farm Colony for Women run by a woman by the name of Dorthoy Baker…a woman with a far more interesting past than the women she houses. Baker runs her institution using questionable measures. Her charges are punished for not enthusiastically embracing their rehabilitation .

To say I enjoyed reading this novel would not be suitable; I was, however, incredibly drawn in by its subject matter, themes and writing. Women of a Promiscuous Nature would make an engaging addition to book clubs. I would also recommend it as an independent study for high school classes; its writing style is accessible, as is its subject matter.

Thank you to Kensington Press and Netgalley for the copy.

Maureen

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by Rachel Joyce

Many of us remember Harold Fry’s journey to see his old friend Queenie during her final days, but have you ever thought about what his wife, Maureen, felt when he left? Was she abandoned, jealous of “another woman,” or hurt that he didn’t ask her to join? In this novel, Rachel Joyce brings us into Maureen’s world. This time, Maureen sets out on her own journey, driving over 500km to visit her son’s memorial, which is in a garden made by Queenie.

Maureen is different than her husband. Where her husband is likable, kind, and accepting, Maureen is anything but. She is a grumpy, judgmental old lady whom you can’t help but pity at the beginning of the novel. However, just as Harold does, Maureen embarks on a journey of reflection. She thinks not only about her childhood, marriage, and motherhood, and the heartbreaks that come with them, but also about how she interacts with new people. She must put aside her pride and resentment, ask for help, and embrace the softness beneath the emotional shell she has built.

I really liked this novel; it is a short, beautifully written read. As Maureen continues her journey, we can’t help but feel a range of emotions towards her. If you loved The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, you will enjoy Maureen as well. 

Thank you to Random House and Netgalley for the copy.

A Scar Like a River

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by Lisa Graff

Thirteen-year-old Fallon has secrets. All of them center around the origins of the scar on her face, a scar that runs from  just above her left eyebrow to the top right edge of her upper lip. And when you’re in 7th grade, the last thing you need is an ugly scar; however, thankfully, Fallon has two incredibly close friends and a deep interest and talent in musical theater that helps. Upon the sudden death of her uncle, Fallon is forced to confront her truth and ultimately reveal her secrets to those she loves. 

The novel is told from Fallon’s perspective. While the story behind her scar and her secrets is traumatic, most of her narration focuses on things many 13-year-olds experience, like dealing with snobby classmates, worrying about her talent, and navigating family and friendships. Fallon comes across as likable, positive, and funny. Even when serious things happen, she responds with a sense of lightness and optimism that shows her strength and resilience.

Even though the novel deals with serious subject matter, it never feels dark or ominous thanks to the brilliant characterization of Fallon, her voice, and her strength. 

The audience for this book is ages 9-14. There are trigger warnings of physical, sexual, and emotional abuse. 

A Scar Like a River is a great addition to any middle school library and works well for independent reading or small group book discussions.

Thank you to Little Brown and Company and Netgalley for the copy.

Grace

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A. M. Shine

Grace is my first encounter with author A M Shine. Rooted in traditional Irish folklore, this Irish Gothic Horror novel is set on a remote island off the coast of Ireland. The novel opens with a prologue in which Declan desperately tries to save his wife, Chrissy, and his daughter, Grace, from an unseen terror pursuing them. We then quickly move forward to Grace on a tour boat, braving rough seas to reach an island the captain is clearly reluctant to visit—not only because it is perpetually cloaked in dense, ominous fog, but also because he refers to it as “LaVelle’s Island.” Just a few days before, Grace had been working in her antiquarian bookstore, sharing wine with her friend Carrie, when she received a call from a priest in Croaghnakeela informing her of her biological mother’s death. Grace always knew she was adopted, but she knew nothing about her origins. Driven by curiosity and a need for closure, she returns to her birthplace.

When she arrives, her life will be forever changed. You see, the island has been plagued by an unnatural evil, a force that is responsible for the disappearance of children, but has lain dormant for years, that is, until the death of Grace’s mother, Chrissy. 

The chapters focus on individual characters, gradually revealing the islanders’ histories and their encounters with evil. As the story unfolds, readers piece together the mysteries of Valentine Lavalle, the young priest’s role, Grace’s significance, and the fog’s prevalence.

The novel is grisly, unsettling, and rich in Irish mythology. I thoroughly enjoyed it; the plot twist at the end was truly wicked, especially after everything we readers have endured. 

To be honest,  I would have really liked Grace to have a bigger role in the novel. The fact that she owned a rare and old bookstore made me believe she would use the tomes at hand to try to solve the island’s mystery. Instead, we get Father O’Malley as the main character, who pieces together the bits of information he gets from the island’s inhabitants. Also, I prefer a simmer before a full boil when it comes to horror and mystery novels. Grace is a novel that throws you right into the violent horror that is responsible for all the death and destruction. The novel then mostly concentrates on its origin, which is fine. 

Grace will be out in February.

A solid three stars. I look forward to reading more from A M Shine. 

Thank you to Netgalley and Head of Zeus Bloomsbury for the copy.

The Safekeep

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by Yael Van Der Wouden

The Safekeep is a novel that explores themes of pain, loss, isolation, identity, and love. Set in the aftermath of World War II, the protagonist, Isabel, leads a life marked by routine and emotional detachment. Although she maintains a relationship with her two brothers—Hendrick, to whom she is close, and Louis, whom she finds irritating—her social circle is limited. Isabel continues to live in her childhood home following her mother’s death, with few connections beyond her aunt, uncle Karel, and Johan, a persistent suitor whom she entertains out of obligation. Her days are consumed by managing the household, particularly through meticulous inventory of its possessions. She fixates on counting the spoons daily to ensure nothing is missing. The house serves as her sanctuary and sole companion, yet it ultimately belongs to her eldest brother, Louis.

Isabel seems cold and rigid. When Louis brings his mistress, Rose, to live at the house for a month while he is away, Isabel is incensed, recoiling from any attempt at friendship from Rose, and especially affronted when Louis says Rose can sleep in their dead mother’s room.

Isabel’s life can be divided into two parts: before Rose and after. Rose becomes the catalyst for various revelations about Isabel’s history, relationships, and sexuality. The novel’s first third focuses on Isabel’s character and her daily routines, illustrating her lonely existence and posing the question of whether it is by choice. The second third explores Rose through her journal entries, as read by Isabel, while the last third examines the consequences of decisions made and the insights gained about oneself and others.

The novel is skillfully crafted. Its sensual scenes are neither gratuitous nor exploitative, and the unfolding love story is both poignant and ultimately hopeful.

I Medusa

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by Ayana Gray

“ He is wealthy and popular…he will not be punished. Meanwhile, the girls here are prey.” (I Medusa).

I Medusa turned out to be an unexpected surprise. The novel unfolds over a year. Medusa, or Meddy, is 17 and preparing with her sisters for a spring feast. Unlike her sisters—Euryale and Stheno, both goddesses—Meddy is mortal. Her parents, gods of the Sea Court but not Olympians, still resent their lesser status. Meddy feels powerless compared to her family but possesses intellect, courage, and a strong sense of justice. She is sensitive to injustices in the court, including discrimination and mistreatment of women and children. These qualities attract Athena, who invites Medusa to be her acolyte in Athens, where, as myth suggests, chaos soon follows.

Ayana Grey does an incredible job in humanising Medusa as a 17-year-old girl. From her infatuation with Posidon and her inability to recognise the fact that he is grooming her for his own sexual conquest (she is constantly making excuses for his behaviour, attempting to convince herself that he sees her as special and that his love for her is different from the “love” he has for his wife, Amphitrite, or his mistresses). In fact, we, the readers, can’t help but yell at her in her naivety… However, her way of thinking seems very age-appropriate.

Medusa is characterized as a young woman we can’t help but love, even though her choices frustrate us. Gray reminds us of her age and that her choices stem from her parents’ poor upbringing—for example, she has no idea what sex is and is confused by her body’s response to seeing Poseidon with a sea nymph during her spring feast. She is often ruled by her heart rather than her mind. Her pursuit of justice turns violent, first with her fists, then with the power her curse gives her.

*spoiler warning*

I was so brokenhearted at the end, even though it was no surprise. Meddy goes to sleep with hope and optimism in her heart. Dreaming of her future where she can use her curse in a way to benefit others, just to meet her demise before the sun rises. We get to know Meddy intimately; she is characterised as an empathetic, sweet young woman, even after she is cursed. She is a victim of those in power, not a monstrous villain as most myths portray her.

Ayana Grey uses her narrative to discuss the nature of rape culture and the issue of men in power getting away with exploiting young women … two issues that we are facing today. It would make an amazing book club pick or novel for study, as it offers a plethora of points of discussion.

Thank you to Random House and Netgalley for the copy

Hamnet

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by Maggie O’Farrell

I love Shakespeare and loved teaching his works. When I taught Hamlet, I also explored Shakespeare’s life and the play’s historical background with my students.

Because of this, my review is personal and shaped by my love for Shakespeare and his famous play.

The novel begins as we meet Hamnet, the son of William and Agnes. He is desperately looking for an adult to help his twin sister, Judith, who has suddenly become very ill. We see the story through Hamnet’s eyes—his worry for Judith, his confusion when he can’t find help, and the pain he feels from his grandfather’s abuse.

I loved this book. The main character is Shakespeare’s wife, Agnes. (Shakespeare’s real wife was named Anne, but that detail doesn’t matter here.) Agnes has become one of my favorite female characters in literature. We first meet her as a young girl, witnessing her mother’s traumatic death during childbirth. Her mother was gentle, mystical, and almost otherworldly. Later, we learn about Agnes’s abuse by her stepmother, who always knew that Agnes’s mother was her husband’s true love. Like her mother, Agnes is a healer, a bee whisperer, and sensitive to the spirit world. Because of this, both her stepmother and the townspeople see her as odd and unmarriageable.

But when a young man arrives to tutor her brothers and takes a particular interest in her, she cannot help but recognize that beneath him, his hidden mind and a soul that is unlike any she’s known.

Spoiler alert!

We find out that poor little Judith has the plague, and Agnes uses every bit of learning she has gleaned over the years to cure her child. In the meantime, William, who is off with his players entertaining audiences with his plays, is sent. The attention is focused on Judith; all the while, we should be concerned about young Hamnet. Young Hamlet is the sweetest son/brother, selfless, smart, and incredibly brave. We, the readers, are indeed heartbroken over his death. 

The novel then explores the grief of Agnes and William. Agnes’s deep heartbreak stands out, especially since we have followed her life so closely throughout the story.

I am bewitched by O’Farrell’s writing. Its lyrical style is enchanting and impactful. She brilliantly varies timelines and various character points of view to keep the reader mesmerized with the story and empathetic towards her characters. 

I would definitely use this novel as a mentor text and as a literary study for my students.