Human Blues

By: Elisa Albert

Narrated by: Mia Barron

“Crackling and bighearted...A powerhouse [that] echoes with the truth that we find harmony when we listen first to ourselves.” —Oprah Daily * “Takes off with magnificent speed and never lets up.” —The New York Times * “Revolutionary.” —NPR’s Morning Edition * A Los Angeles Times and Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year

A provocative and “darkly funny” (Cosmopolitan) novel about a woman who desperately wants a child but struggles to accept the use of assisted reproductive technology—a “riotous, visceral” (Vanity Fair) send-up of feminism, fame, art, commerce, and autonomy.

On the eve of her fourth album, singer-songwriter Aviva Rosner is plagued by infertility. The twist: as much as Aviva wants a child, she is wary of technological conception, and has poured her ambivalence into her music. As the album makes its way in the world, the shock of the response from fans and critics is at first exciting—and then invasive and strange. Aviva never wanted to be famous, or did she? Meanwhile, her evolving obsession with another iconic musician, gone too soon, might just help her make sense of things.

Told over the course of nine menstrual cycles, this utterly original novel is a “fast, fiery, and often funny” (The Boston Globe) interrogation of our cultural obsession with childbearing. It’s also the story of one fearless woman at the crossroads, ruthlessly questioning what she wants and what she’s willing—or not willing—to do to get it.

Womb with a view

As a man, the constant consideration of bearing a child was somewhat outside of my personal reference but the writing was clever and beautiful.

Tried to get through this three times.

Unlikable, entitled, judgemental main character. Gives feminists a bad name—I kept waiting for a character arc to redeem her, but nothing.

don't waste your money

very depressing and slow. The character was very negative and entitled. struggled to finish the book and the ending was very uneventful.

Don't. Just don't.

Don't. Just don't.


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