Normal women
In this darkly comic story about how we value female labor—and don’t—a new mother becomes embroiled in a dangerous mystery when her friend, a controversial entrepreneur, goes missing.
When her daughter Lotte was born, Dani had welcomed the chance to be a stay-at-home mother. To be good at something, for once. But now Dani can’t stop thinking about her seemingly healthy husband, Clark, dropping dead. Not because she hates him (not right now, anyway) but because it’s become abundantly clear to Dani that if he dies, she and Lotte will be left destitute.
And then Dani discovers The Temple. Ostensibly a yoga center, The Temple and its guardian, Renata, are committed to helping people reach their full potential. And if that sometimes requires sex work, so be it. Finally, Dani has found something she could be good at, even great at; meaningful work that will protect her and Lotte from poverty, and provide true economic independence from Clark.
Just as Dani is preparing to embrace this opportunity, Renata disappears. And Dani discovers there might be something else she’s good at: detective work.
• A New York Times fall fiction pick •
“An immensely enjoyable detective novel enlivened with sharp feminist wit.”
– The Kit, Toronto Star
“a darkly satirical novel about 21st-century motherhood and women’s labour, full of waspish observations and the kind of caustic epithets that had me underlining chunks. Hogarth is very funny on motherhood’s modern mores, such as the lauding of unmedicated birth and “You got this, mama!” influencer culture…She is especially hilarious on the balance of domestic – and sexual – labour within a marriage.”
– The Guardian
“An exhilarating ride of a novel that deliciously and irreverently skewers the complacent, the entitled and the self-satisfied.”
– Carole Hailey, author of The Silence Project
“Ainslie Hogarth is the master of first sentences, and the god of surprising verbs.”
– Claire Oshetsky, author of Chouette
“Like MOTHERTHING, Hogarth's second novel invites readers to share a gloriously subversive look at the contractual expectations inherent in human relationships: NORMAL WOMEN takes on sex work, performative motherhood, and the 'wellness' industry, with surprises lurking around every corner. It's also funny as fuck.”
– Ally Wilkes, author of All the White Spaces
“Hogarth’s novel opens strong with creeping suspense, laugh-out-loud humor, and smart critiques of the ways gendered expectations wear on people’s self-worth, enjoyment of life, and relationships . . . A conversation starter about gender roles and sex work.”
– Kirkus
Ainslie Hogarth is the author of four novels. She lives in Canada.
About Ainslie
Ainslie Hogarth is the author of four novels. She lives in Canada.
