Nightbitch

Title: Nightbitch

Author: Rachel Yoder

Genre: Fantasy

Publisher: Vintage

Date Published: 2022

Book Length: 256 pages

About the Book

One day, the mother was a mother, but then, one night, she was quite suddenly something else...

At home full-time with her two-year-old son, an artist finds herself struggling. She is lonely, exhausted, and disconnected from her former self. Her husband, always away for work, calls from distant hotel rooms, leaving her to manage the chaos of motherhood alone. As her sense of self starts to fray, something extraordinary happens. One night, when her child refuses to sleep, she discovers new appetites, instincts, and a voice emerging from deep within her. Is she losing her mind or transforming into something utterly feral?

My Thoughts

Nightbitch is a fiercely original exploration of the raw, unfiltered experiences of motherhood. Rachel Yoder captures the mundane struggles of caregiving with an uncanny twist, blending humour, horror, and heartbreak. The book's fantastical elements serve as a metaphor for the primal nature of motherhood, making it both deeply relatable and profoundly unsettling. At 256 pages, it’s a quick yet impactful read that leaves a lasting impression.

Yoder’s writing is sharp, evocative, and unflinchingly honest. While the surreal narrative may not be for everyone, those who embrace its wildness will find it a transformative reading experience.