Motherthing is, simply put, a masterpiece. Everything about it, from its plot to its narration, from its imagery to its character-building, is so perfect it could be used as a stellar example in a writing masterclass. It’s one of the best and most unique books ever written.

This is not your standard, scary haunting story, but it is indeed horror. (If you’re a paranormal coward like me, this is a safe read!) Motherthing is its narrator/main character’s nightmare of how an abusive mother’s lingering influence threatens her family.

The central theme of motherhood is accompanied by the recurring themes of the eye, and fecal matter. These patterns are very interesting to observe, if only to admire Ainslie Hogarth’s mastery of her craft.

The first person narration helps build a fully inner life and voice for Abby, the main character. Her thoughts and descriptions are at times violent and gory, at times times bizarre and surreal, but they’re always impeccably evocative. This surreal imagery made me think about Un Chien Andalou often, which for me enhanced the book’s experience.

Two particular scenes in the first chapter made me think of two other works I love. A woman giving Ralph a business card reminded me of ‘the foreigner’ approaching Bezdomny and Berlioz in Master and Margarita; another woman’s “opal eye” reminded me of the “vulture eye” of the old man in The Tell-Tale Heart. I like thinking the latter was intentional, as an homage to the macabre master himself.

Hogarth’s prose mastery enthralled me the most when the first person narration was subverted into a screenplay format, still told by Abby, but in a more removed way. This format was used for memories, save for two occasions: the first time, it created the feeling of an out-of-body experience; the second time around, it created a fairytale atmosphere. This was purely genius!

As dark as Motherthing is, it’s not a grave book; as its gorgeous cover should hint, this is camp — this is camp done impeccably! Of course, that isn’t to say this is only a humorous book. No, Motherthing is very sentimental and touching. It bends all genre expectations, to deliver a wonderful book with a wonderfully unhinged woman for its main character!

Eternal thanks to NetGalley and Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group for the DRC!