This dark, horrifying, and hopeful book of poetry was meditative to read. It was written as an outlet during the author's postpartum period, and for anyone who has experienced a traumatic delivery or postpartum mental illness it will be a familiar set of ideas. The fear, perseveration on death, deep love for a child - these thoughts carry through the imagery inspired by Shirley Jackson's We Have Always Lived in the Castle. Even without having read that book, the evoked concepts and world are present. This is not an easy set of poems to read, but they may be comforting for those who feel connection to the thoughts of the writer. Parenthood is a lonely endeavor even as it brings people together, and grieving the process of bringing a child into the world is a common but not well recognized reaction. This book is heartbreaking and hopeful, and that contradiction is something I will be thinking about long after reading.

Thank you Netgalley and RDS Publishing for the eBook.