The building terror in Normal Women is erratically paced and ultimately leads to a flat conclusion ... The otherwise meandering plot focuses into a more precise and searing portrayal of Dani’s descent into this desire, revealing a powerful perspective on the unseen labor of care. Unfortunately, the so-called horror that propels the latter half of the book is no match for those of actual postpartum self-awareness, of the lengths mothers will go to to eke out a sense of identity when theirs has been so swiftly and permanently blown apart.
Dani can be unlikeable—wishy-washy, judgmental, and paranoid—but there are some positive nuggets too, such as the importance of self-care and much-needed support for mothers.
Snarky ... Paper-thin characters coupled with a slow start and an abrupt denouement further diminish the book’s impact. Hogarth’s fans will be disappointed.
Hogarth’s novel opens strong with creeping suspense, laugh-out-loud humor, and smart critiques of the ways gendered expectations wear on people’s self-worth, enjoyment of life, and relationships. But the book is not for everyone ... A conversation starter about gender roles and sex work, but a lackluster mystery and limited critique.
