Title: Elsewhere
Author: Alexis Schaitkin
Genre: Literary Fiction
Published On: June 28, 2022
Publisher: Celadon Books
Source: physical
Pages: 240
Synopsis:
Richly emotive and darkly captivating, with elements of Shirley Jackson’s “The Lottery” and the imaginative depth of Margaret Atwood, Elsewhere by Alexis Schaitkin conjures a community in which girls become wives, wives become mothers and some of them, quite simply, disappear.
Vera grows up in a small town, removed and isolated, pressed up against the mountains, cloud-covered and damp year-round. This town, fiercely protective, brutal and unforgiving in its adherence to tradition, faces a singular affliction: some mothers vanish, disappearing into the clouds. It is the exquisite pain and intrinsic beauty of their lives; it sets them apart from people elsewhere and gives them meaning.
Vera, a young girl when her own mother went, is on the cusp of adulthood herself. As her peers begin to marry and become mothers, they speculate about who might be the first to go, each wondering about her own fate. Reveling in their gossip, they witness each other in motherhood, waiting for signs: this one devotes herself to her child too much, this one not enough—that must surely draw the affliction’s gaze. When motherhood comes for Vera, she is faced with the question: will she be able to stay and mother her beloved child, or will she disappear?
Provocative and hypnotic, Alexis Schaitkin’s Elsewhere is at once a spellbinding revelation and a rumination on the mysterious task of motherhood and all the ways in which a woman can lose herself to it; the self-monitoring and judgment, the doubts and unknowns, and the legacy she leaves behind.
My thoughts
(Spoiler free)
Elsewhere is Alexis Schaitkin’s speculative fiction follow-up to her debut Saint X, an impressive mystery that had me riveted (My Review). Unfortunately, Elsewhere is completely different from Saint X and didn’t quite captivate me in the same way.
The synopsis for Elsewhere compares it to Shirley Jackson’s “The Lottery”, one of my favorite short stories when I was in school, and while the description is accurate, Elsewhere isn’t quite as sinister. leaving more to the reader’s imagination.
I was intrigued by this book about mothers who disappear, but in the end it only made me sad. It’s perfectly fair to say that if I’d read this book in 2019, I probably would have enjoyed it more. I used to be a fan of more literary books, books that made me ponder, books with layers of mystery and unanswered questions. And it’s hard for me to let go of the instinct I still have to pick them up. It’s challenging to rate, as well, not knowing if it’s me and my strange head-space or if it’s the book itself. This one has been getting great early reviews, so I can only assume it’s me.
“A mother was a chance to hate someone as much as you loved them, caring and wounding, a push and pull that only tightened the knot that bound you.”
Alexis Schaitkin, Elsewhere
It is a shorter book, easily read in one sitting, but even with that, I found myself skimming some parts. Elsewhere will be available this summer, but I read it right away, as requested by the publisher. I can’t help wondering how I would have felt about it had I waited.
If you’re a fan of speculative fiction, books that have a dream-like quality, almost a fairy tale detachment, then you might enjoy this one. The author writes beautifully, weaving a tale unlike any other I’ve come across, but unfortunately, I seem to be only gravitating toward more concrete books in this unstable time.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you to Celadon Books for providing me with an advance copy.
(All quotes are taken from the advance copy and are subject to change in final print.)
Rating:
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About the Author
A Song For A Book
Elsewhere definitely has hints of Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale. Mostly in the writing style and the fact it deals with mothers. But it led me to the soundtrack for the adaptation, and the haunting music seemed perfect for Elsewhere, as well. I’ve chosen to highlight “The Handmaid’s Tale – Main Theme” composed by Adam Taylor.
Have you read Elsewhere? Or did you add it to your tbr? Let me know in the comments!
Happy Wandering!
Well, even if it wasn’t a 5-star read, the cover is beautiful.
Yes! The cover is what initially drew me in. 🙂
Sorry you didn’t like this better. Life’s too short for a book that just makes you sad.
I used to be all about sad books, but I guess that was when the world didn’t match what I was reading. I can’t seem to do both simultaneously. It’s gotta be one or the other. 😉
I am also struggling with “heavy” books right now. I’m not sure if or when that will change, but I am just embracing the reading space I am in at the moment. I actually DNF’ed Saint X (a rare thing for me) so I don’t see myself picking up this one right now.
Saint X definitely had mixed reviews, so you weren’t alone. That’s a great way to put it, ’embracing the reading space I am in at the moment’. That’s where I am, too. <3
I really enjoyed The Lottery, so I find the idea of a retelling/reimagining of it fascinating. Though… maybe not quite to my reading tastes at the moment. I’ll have to leave this one on my radar for later, though. Thanks for the review!
Yes! If it wouldn’t have been for review, I would have just kept this one on my radar. It is written very well.