A single mother suffering from amnesia, hallucinations, and blackouts seeks help from a psychiatrist, unraveling a psychological mystery that blurs the lines between memory, trauma, and reality. Told through clinical case notes and personal letters, the story explores themes of identity, the limits of perception, and the possibility of parallel realities, leaving both characters and readers questioning what is real.

Reader Review Summary

Set in contemporary New York City, the novel follows Jane O., a single mother and librarian who begins experiencing a series of psychological disturbances in the year after her son's birth, including amnesia, blackouts, hallucinations, premonitions, and a persistent sense of dread. The narrative alternates between two points of view: Jane's own letters to her son Caleb, written as part of a therapeutic exercise, and the clinical case notes of her psychiatrist, Dr. Henry Byrd. After Jane is found unconscious in Prospect Park with no memory of the preceding day, she becomes the subject of both a psychiatric investigation and a police inquiry, as her episodes escalate and she is suspected of endangering her child. The story incorporates elements of psychological thriller, speculative fiction, and mystery, with a significant focus on the nature of memory, identity, and the boundaries of reality. Jane's condition, which includes hyperthymesia (an exceptional autobiographical memory), is complicated by her inability to recall certain traumatic events, including the death of a friend named Nico twenty years earlier, and by her apparent visions of alternate realities or timelines, including a pandemic scenario. The book is structured as a literary puzzle, with the two narrators providing potentially unreliable accounts that gradually reveal the underlying mystery.

Readers praised the book's dual narrative structure, which alternates between Dr. Byrd's clinical notes and Jane's personal journal, finding that it added depth and tension to the unfolding mystery. The portrayal of psychiatric treatment, dissociative states, and the complexities of diagnosis was frequently described as well-researched and convincing. Many found the psychological and speculative elements, such as Jane's hyperthymesia and the exploration of parallel realities, to be thought-provoking and engaging. The character development, particularly of Jane and Dr. Byrd, was highlighted as a strength, with several readers noting the emotional resonance of Jane's experiences as a new mother and the evolving dynamic between patient and psychiatrist. The book's pacing, described as a slow burn, was appreciated by those who enjoyed a gradual build-up of suspense, and the speculative twist in the latter part of the novel was cited as a satisfying and discussion-worthy element. The audiobook narration also received positive feedback for its effective delivery of the two perspectives.

Some readers found the writing style, especially in the early sections, to be dry, clinical, or detached, which made it difficult for them to become emotionally invested in the characters or the story. The slow pacing and the focus on internal states over external action led some to describe the book as sluggish or meandering, with a few noting that large portions of the narrative felt uneventful. There were criticisms that the speculative or science fiction elements were introduced too late or not explored in sufficient depth, leaving some plot points underdeveloped or unresolved. The ending was described by some as abrupt, anti-climactic, or lacking in explanation, and a few readers expressed frustration with the ambiguity and the number of unanswered questions. The inclusion of pandemic-related content in the latter part of the book was noted as a potential trigger and was seen by some as occupying too much of the narrative. Additionally, the believability of the relationship between Jane and Dr. Byrd, as well as the use of unreliable narrators, was questioned by a subset of readers.

The book has been described as suitable for readers interested in psychological mysteries, speculative fiction, and literary case studies, and has been recommended for book clubs due to its abundance of discussion points. The narrative draws inspiration from real-life neurological case studies and references to figures like Oliver Sacks, and it explores themes such as memory, trauma, motherhood, loneliness, and the limits of scientific understanding. The structure, with alternating short chapters and a focus on two perspectives, was noted as both a distinguishing feature and a potential source of frustration for those seeking more traditional storytelling. The novel has received a wide range of reader responses, with an average rating of 3.98 out of 5 from over 1800 ratings, and is scheduled for publication in February 2025.