In this spellbinding novel, a young mother is struck by a mysterious psychological affliction that illuminates the eerie dimensions of the human mind—and of love. A provocative literary puzzle from the New York Times bestselling author of The Age of Miracles.

In the first year after her child is born, Jane suffers a series of strange episodes: amnesia, premonitions, hallucinations, and an inexplicable sense of dread. As her psychiatrist struggles to solve the mystery of what is happening to Jane’s mind, she suddenly goes missing. A day later she is found unconscious in Brooklyn’s Prospect Park, in the midst of what seems to be an episode of dissociative fugue; when she comes to, she has no memory of what has happened to her.

Are Jane’s strange experiences related to the overwhelm of single motherhood, or are they the manifestation of a long-buried trauma from her past? Why is she having visions of a young man who died twenty years ago, who warns her of a disaster ahead? Jane’s symptoms lead her psychiatrist ever-deeper into the furthest reaches of her mind, and cause him to question everything he thought he knew about so-called reality—including events in his own life.

Karen Thompson Walker’s profound and beautifully written novel is a speculative mystery about memory, identity, and fate, a mesmerizing story about the bonds of love between a mother and child, a man and a woman, and those who we’ve lost but may still be alive among us.

I wasn’t sure what I would be getting myself into when I picked this book from Aardvark this month, but I love psychology and psychiatry, and the premise intrigued me. I can honestly say this was way different from anything I’ve read before, and while I wasn’t totally blown away, I ended up really enjoying it.

Written in a case study-like format, the novel is a blend of psychological suspense, speculative fiction, and emotional drama, making it both an intellectual puzzle and a deeply moving story. Walker’s storytelling is immersive, and she skillfully weaves themes of trauma, mental health, motherhood, and alternate realities into a narrative that keeps us wondering what is real and what is imagined.

In a nutshell, the book focuses on a woman named Jane who disappears for 24 hours and then is found unconscious a day later with no memory of what happened. Lately, Jane has been experiencing hallucinations, premonitions, and moments of amnesia. She visits a psychiatrist for help, and what we read are the notes from their sessions.

The book unfolds primarily from the perspective of Jane’s psychiatrist, Dr. Byrd, as he attempts to unravel the mystery of her mind. This approach gives the book a clinical yet intimate feel, almost like reading a psychological case study. The inclusion of Jane’s journal entries written to her young son, Caleb, adds an emotional layer, giving readers direct insight into her internal world and her fears about losing herself. This dual perspective enhances the novel’s tension, as we get both the detached analysis of Jane’s condition and her own deeply personal and sometimes unsettling experiences.

Jane is an incredibly sympathetic character. Her struggles with memory loss, hallucinations, and a foreboding sense of impending doom make her both fascinating and heartbreaking. As a young mother, she is already navigating the complexities of early parenthood, but her psychological episodes add an unbearable weight to her existence. These problems are further enhanced when we learn about a pretty traumatic event that happened when she was a teen.

Dr. Byrd, though initially a distant observer, becomes deeply invested in Jane’s case. His commitment to uncovering the truth adds a layer of urgency to the narrative. His journey into Jane’s mind leads him to question not only her reality but also his own, and a blurring of professional boundaries adds another layer of intrigue.

While it feels somewhat like a thriller, what sets this book apart is its subtle hints at something beyond clinical explanation. Jane’s visions of a man who died years ago, her premonitions, and the eerie coincidences she experiences suggest that there may be more to her condition than mere dissociation. While the novel remains grounded in psychological realism, it also flirts with speculative elements, leaving room for interpretation. Are Jane’s experiences a manifestation of trauma, or do they hint at an alternate reality? Walker never fully answers this question, allowing the reader to draw their own conclusions.

The novel is well-paced, beautifully written, and thought-provoking, offering both an engrossing mystery and a deeply human story. While some readers may wish for more definitive answers, the novel’s ambiguity is part of what made it so interesting to me.

Overall, this is a compelling, well-crafted novel that will appeal to fans of psychological thrillers, speculative fiction, and literary mysteries. It might not be for everyone, but if you enjoy books that make you think while also delivering a gripping and emotional narrative, I would highly recommend checking this out – especially if you’re in the mood for something different.

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