A Season of Monstrous Conceptions

A Season of Monstrous Conceptions 
By Lina Rather
Recorded Books, 2023. 4 Hours. Fantasy

An eldritch historical fantasy of midwifery, monstrosity, and the rending of the world, for fans of The Essex Serpent and The Death of Jane Lawrence. In seventeenth-century London, unnatural babies are being born with eyes made for the dark and webbed digits suited to the sea. Sarah Davis is intimately familiar with such strangeness. Having fled her old life under suspicious circumstances to start over in the city as a midwife's apprentice, she'd hoped to leave such uncanniness far behind. But with each new unnatural birth she attends, the greater the fear in London grows of the Devil's work. When the wealthy Lady Faith hires her to see her through her pregnancy, Sarah quickly becomes a favorite of her husband, the famous architect Sir Christopher Wren, whose interest in the uncanny borders on obsession. Sarah soon finds herself caught in a web of magic and intrigue created by those who want to use her power for themselves, and whose pursuits threaten to unmake the earth itself.

I started this book with the intention of it being my introduction to horror. While there are darker themes and a general "uncanny" vibe (that word is used quite a lot), I did not feel horrified. The mood was compelling and suspenseful, but we hear the story mixed in with the main characters thoughts, memories, and feelings. She is a interesting mix of practical and thoughtful in every situation. I think her own lack of fear helps remove some of that horror for the listener as well. I really enjoyed the juxtaposition of the midwives being women of magic in a world turning more towards men of science. This is a great short listen for anyone wanting something softly creepy and ultimately feminist that examines the choices people make for power and acceptance.        

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