Book Review | If You’re Not Yet Like Me, by Edan Lepucki

This was the 147th book I read this year. My goal is to read 175 (I had to increase the count since I’m reading a lot of single issue graphic novels this year).

If You’re Not Yet Like Me is a letter to the narrator’s unborn child, about the mother’s dating life and how the child was conceived. The writing is non-judgmental and funny.

5 Things I want to Remember
  • Always keep your apartment clean.
  • People are not objects. Don’t pretend to like someone or date them thinking you’re doing them a favour.
  • It is absolutely necessary to be honest with oneself. Bonus points if it is your child.
  • Romantic comedies can be dark and don’t necessarily have to end with the woman being swept off her feet.
  • It is a matter of choice to not have a child. It is a matter of choice to have a child.
  • Notes/Review

    I like unapologetic writing by women. I like short fiction by women. I like women’s writing where they tell it as it is (many people are a fan of that these days! or maybe till November last year). Most of all, women’s writing out of the male gaze is important.

    The narrator is non-conforming and brave. Not because she’s decided to have a child out of wedlock, but because she has always done what came naturally to her. Don’t give in, don’t give up.

    The second part is a super-short story about a couple, a bathtub and a possum. I’m trying really hard not to give any spoilers!

    I liked the fact that the POV goes from one character to the other without being sluggish or confusing. In the interview, Edan mentions that while it might seem out of the place these days (our attention spans!), she was inspired by nineteenth century literature where it was pretty common.

    I am now searching for more novellas written by women. Suggestions please.

    Also, I have decided that every week I’ll read one work written by a woman under 100 pages, and one piece of writing over 500 pages by a woman every month. I realised all the lists are dominated by men, so I decided to make one of my own here. Please add more books if you’re on Goodreads. Pretty much all of them will be on my TBR!

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