Nightbitch by Rachel Yoder
Book Review
INSANE journey of a book. In the very best of ways.
I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to get into this book at first, put off by this idea of the literal transformation of the story’s human protagonist into a dog, but Rachel Yoder’s impeccable writing made her physical transformation just as poignant and as meaningful as her psychological one. The metaphor of Nightbitch’s transformation into a dog displays the animalistic side of motherhood, the side that can be ugly while being strangely beautiful, in all of its love and its violence. Motherhood is a complex, multi-faceted gift, and a curse, and a miracle.
The concept of having all the time in the world as a stay-at-home mom but no time at all to dedicate to yourself was gruesomely tragic to experience through Nightbitch’s perspective, and her descent before her rise had my heart pounding through all her trials and tribulations and breakdowns. I loved how her character expressed this burning, instinctual love for her son in an animalistic way alongside this very human resentment and frustration at being completely ruled by him, her life utterly dictated by him to the point where she hated him.
Raw and honest and real and bold, this book had the perfect incorporation of themes of horror and of the supernatural. It touches on motherhood uniquely and bizarrely, depicting how its immensity and mysticism is so life-changing it can make or break an individual. The concept of experiencing, as Nightbitch does, this permanent loss of dreams for herself as a woman, losing the mental capability to pursue any pre-motherhood desires to the point where she forgets who she is and why she exists except to BE a mother, as well as what Nightbitch believes to be a loss of her own intelligence and the death of her creativity after becoming a mother, were completely heartbreaking and harrowing. It only makes her rage more powerful.
At one point, the book presents this almost theory of how pregnancy and motherhood itself changes the being you are to your very core, both physically and mentally, and may alter you forever. Okay, terrifying. It also delves into how birth and motherhood are “the impossible” and grant women this sort of status as godly, as creators, as the powers that be. Okay, awesome.
Rachel Yoder—you’ve DONE it. I’m going to be thinking about your story for a long time. A book that dares to question motherhood, womanhood, humanity, feminine power, divine intervention, inspiration, and the powers beyond us all.
This is a PERFECT book.
5/5
About the Creator
angela hepworth
Hello! I’m Angela and I love writing fiction—sometimes poetry if I’m feeling frisky. I delve into the dark, the sad, the silly, the sexy, and the stupid. Come check me out!
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Comments (27)
Amazing story keep uploading
This is entertaining. Congratulations!!
I finally got to re-read your thoughts on NightBitch, it has me captivated.🥰
You are one hell of a writer; keep me entertained please 😁
Congrats on top story
Great job done by you Congratulations on TS
Hey, I am hossain. I really appreciated your written fiction. you see my write i Think you w'll like it.
Back to say, Congrats!!!
wow I am intrigued by this book! Awesome review! And congrats for TS!
Great review!!!
And congrats on top story!! 💌🥳🎉🥳🎉💌
Ooo just by the front cover already captivated me!! Gonna add this to my list 😅 Thanks for the suggestion, Angela! Can't wait to read this 💌
Amazing! Waiting for next one. Keep it up👍 I will also write something about any book. Congrats on your top story. Also visit my profile please. I am a beginner and looking for your copration
Great writing, Keep up the good work. Very addicting ready for the next one.
A stunning exploration of motherhood's complexity and transformative power.👏👏👏 And congrats on your top story🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉
The Title is captivating.
Sounds like a very unique and interesting book! Great review! Congrats on another Top Story! 🎉
Back to say congratulations on your Top Story! 🎉💖🎊🎉💖🎊
Cool I enjoyed your review! I heard of this book before and I thought it sounded really interesting 🧐 so it’s good to hear it was good
Ah ha!!! This is the book you mentioned to me a while ago. I still have not read it but off the back of this jolt I have just downloaded it. Thank you.
Now this is the kinda horror story that is just too scary for me. Yes, motherhood is the scariest shit ever hahahahaha. I have no desire whatsoever to be mother or have kids, so you now can see where this fear is coming from hahahahaha. Unless this book has her killing her own child, I ain't reading it. Lol. Loved your review!
Angela, great review. I think Rachel Yoder is brave to tackle such a taboo subject. It sounds like she's done it with sensitivity and candour and I will be checking this out for sure. Motherhood is not a Pampers advert. Also, from a personal viewpoint, I would never be without my kids but being a mum is one of the hardest things I've ever done. Rewarding, yes; but demanding in ways you can never truly visualise until you're in it, doing it. And there's no walking away. You have to fund that strength because a little person is depending on you completely and utterly. Beauty in that but also a tie that binds. I get it completely and will be adding it to my TBR list. Excellent!
Whoa!!! As I was reading this, I thought 'what a cool concept for a story!' Quickly realizing this was a review of something already written. 🤣😂😅 Sorry, had a couple three beers, then got inspired to read, lol. Seriously though, you definitely painted an intriguing picture of this women's book.
‘Nightbitch’ has been on my list for ages and now I’m sure as hell gonna pick this up when I go to Barnes & Noble!! Also, isn’t there a movie adaptation of this coming out soon(ish)? Regardless, thank you for this awesome review!!!
Wow, amazing review - makes me want to check it out. It will be added to a LONG list!