Motherthing

By: Ainslie Hogarth

Narrated by: Adina Verson

A NEW YORK TIMES BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR • A darkly funny take on mothers and daughters, about a woman who must take drastic measures to save her husband and herself from the vengeful ghost of her mother-in-law.

“A quirky, gruesome, utterly original feminist horror experience.”—The New York Times Book Review

When Ralph and Abby Lamb move in with Ralph’s mother, Laura, Abby hopes it’s just what she and her mother-in-law need to finally connect. After a traumatic childhood, Abby is desperate for a mother figure, especially now that she and Ralph are trying to become parents themselves. Abby just has so much love to give—to Ralph, to Laura, and to Mrs. Bondy, her favorite resident at the long-term care home where she works. But Laura isn’t interested in bonding with her daughter-in-law. She’s venomous and cruel, especially to Abby, and life with her is hellish.

When Laura takes her own life, her ghost haunts Abby and Ralph in very different ways: Ralph is plunged into depression, and Abby is terrorized by a force intent on destroying everything she loves. To make matters worse, Mrs. Bondy’s daughter is threatening to move Mrs. Bondy from the home, leaving Abby totally alone. With everything on the line, Abby comes up with a chilling plan that will allow her to keep Mrs. Bondy, rescue Ralph from his tortured mind, and break Laura's hold on the family for good. All it requires is a little ingenuity, a lot of determination, and a unique recipe for chicken à la king…

©2022 Ainslie Hogarth (P)2022 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

A New York Times Notable Book the Year • A Cosmopolitan Best Horror Book of All Time • A New York Times Editors’ Choice

“A quirky, gruesome, utterly original feminist horror experience.”—The New York Times Book Review

“Creepy, hysterical, emotionally complex.”—The New York Times, 7 Audiobooks to Listen to Now

“This haunting is deliberate, unsettling, and reads like the sensation you get after licking a battery—sharp and bitter but intriguing. Turn to it when you want something different, when you’re done with the traditional ghost story and need something unusual to sink your teeth into.”—The Big Thrill

Oddly entertaining

Well written, slightly disturbing and not for those sensitive to vulgarity. But imaginative and laugh out loud funny in some parts.

Absolutely gross and entrancing

This book was so creepy and interesting, I thoroughly enjoyed it. I ended up listening to the whole thing in one sitting, it’s delightfully deranged

Rhythmically Unsettling

I’ll agree with other reviews that this isn’t exactly as much horror as I expected, but that doesn’t make it anything other than it’s own kind of good. The writing is so mesmerizing and rhythmic. I loved the way the narration got more unhinged as time went on. It felt like I had a front row seat to her unraveling psyche.

Triggering is an understatement

OMG, I should have booked some therapy or yoga or an exorcism before reading this.

The writing is genius; the plot is traumatizing. Not exaggerating here. Triggering is an understatement.

Unhinged, yes! Horror? No…

Well. That this nothing like I expected 😂 ok. Maybe a little…I did expect unhinged, which I’ve been enjoying so much lately. But I wouldn’t call this horror, like, at all. So I was disappointed in the barely there “ghost story”. However, as several reviews mention, it was definitely giving Ottessa Moshfegh. It was honest, gross, shocking, funny, dark, sweet, and provocative. It’s hard for me to rate it because part of me wants to throw 5⭐️ at it. But I can’t ignore the fact that this is sold as horror and is definitely more Unghinged girl lit fic. Sooo 4.75 it is! Cause I really enjoyed the ride!

I just don’t know . . .

So, here’s the deal - I like dark comedies. I like unreliable narrators. But this story just has me so confused on so many levels. I suppose it is safest to say that I have a love hate relationship with it.

Macabre Unethical Unreliable Narrator

This novel will suck you in. You’ll believe Abby is likable and an Everywomen. By time the story unfolds, it’s too late. You’ll be rooting for a villain. Enjoy the ride but don’t go searching for a deeper lesson. This is a work of fluff,well written but ultimately meaningless drivel.

Certainly unique

I was on a Pinterest rabbit hole looking for SOMETHING to make me feel SOMETHING. This book was uh…as refreshing as these topics can be! Unexpectedly wild yet also heartfelt! Hard to explain but certainly worth your time! Fantastic narration too!

Natation

Woah the narrator is soooooo goood! She gave a truly Chilling performance. I don’t know if I would have enjoyed as much reading.

Mixed feelings on this book.

It was well written and well performed but I kept waiting for something to happen that never did. It wasn’t like it was boring. It wasn’t bad. It was just odd which I’m usually down for, but I’m not sure how I feel about this book. I wouldn’t read it again, but I’m not upset that I read it.