when i first finished Old Flame, i rated it four stars.

then i spent hours upon hours trying to pick it back up, my brain absolutely rejecting the concept that i had finished it. i had a series of work calls, and after each i wanted to continue reading. i had a series of tasks, and i without fail attempted to stop doing them in order to read.

i could not stop thinking about this book!!!

so boom. 5 stars it became.

part of me prickled at the conceit of this, which is that creating a human life is an act of creation that is radical and artistic and important, and that nothing is taken from the strength and passion motherhood takes by virtue of its being societal default. i didn't think that going in, and i didn't really want to think it through most of my reading experience.

but that's part of why i am a good reader for this book. because it convinced me.

and on top of that gorgeousness, this is funny and sharp and populated with unforgettable characters. it's two distinct stories, and i loved both, which feels like the rarest thing ever.

this is in many ways about how it is a huge act of generosity to love someone, and maybe the most valuable thing you can do in this life.

and i love women and this book loves women and i love this book.

bottom line: love! life! jokes about capitalism! what more could you want.

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reread update

i love this book too much.

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tbr review

literary fiction about what it means to be a woman...yeah this is up my alley

(thanks to the publisher for the copy)