""Claire Oshetsky's novel is a marvel: its language a joy, its imagination dizzying."" --Rumaan Alam, New York Times bestselling author of Leave the World Behind
An exhilarating, provocative novel of motherhood in extremis
Tiny is pregnant. Her husband is delighted. "You think this baby is going to be like you, but it's not like you at all," she warns him. "This baby is an owl-baby."
When Chouette is born small and broken-winged, Tiny works around the clock to meet her daughter's needs. Left on her own to care for a child who seems more predatory bird than baby, Tiny vows to raise Chouette to be her authentic self. Even in those times when Chouette's behaviors grow violent and strange, Tiny's loving commitment to her daughter is unwavering. When she discovers that her husband is on an obsessive and increasingly dangerous quest to find a "cure" for their daughter, Tiny must decide whether Chouette should be raised to fit in or to be herself--and learn what it truly means to be a mother.
Arresting, darkly funny, and unsettling, Chouette is a brilliant exploration of ambition, sacrifice, perceptions of ability, and the ferocity of motherly love.
The Chouette audiobook features original music composed and performed by Claire Oshetsky's daughter, Patricia Taxxon.
About the Author :
Claire Oshetsky is the author of Chouette, which won the William Saroyan International Prize for Writing and was a finalist for the Northern California Book Award and the Barbellion Prize.
Julia Whelan grew up in the Pacific Northwest, but currently resides in Los Angeles. She is a former child actor, having appeared in multiple television shows, most notably ABC's Once and Again. After receiving her college degree, she returned to acting and is pursuing a career in the film industry, as well as creative writing. Her audiobook credits include romance, supernatural thrillers, young adult and adult fiction.
Review :
"A fever dream of a novel that will enchant fans of contemporary fabulism."
-- "Kirkus Reviews (starred review)"
"An engrossing, surreal portrayal of motherhood."
-- "NPR"
"Forces parents to consider their relationship with their children...The book has deep and universal resonance."
-- "San Francisco Chronicle"
"Weirdly funny and bold, this novel will make you look at maternal sacrifice in a new way."
-- "Real Simple"
