Elsewhere was a beautifully written and highly atmospheric story exploring motherhood and self identity. The author did a wonderful job building the melancholic and dream-like mood throughout the novel.
The exploration of the complex emotions associated with the mother-daughter relationships was done well, giving room for the more off-putting behaviors and feelings without glorifying them. The middle sections of the book portray the anxieties around what is the 'right way' to behave as a parent, if there is such a thing, and the judgement of others.
While the themes and the tone are both very well crafted, the plot and the development of the main character were somewhat lacking. Vera, the main character, also seemed very distant and underdeveloped compared to the other characters, especially in the middle of the book. The plot also moved slowly and somewhat aimlessly except around the transitions between the five sections/chapters. While the other aspects of Elsewhere were enough to keep me engaged, if you are looking for something tightly plotted or action filled, this may not be the one for you.
The exploration of the complex emotions associated with the mother-daughter relationships was done well, giving room for the more off-putting behaviors and feelings without glorifying them. The middle sections of the book portray the anxieties around what is the 'right way' to behave as a parent, if there is such a thing, and the judgement of others.
While the themes and the tone are both very well crafted, the plot and the development of the main character were somewhat lacking. Vera, the main character, also seemed very distant and underdeveloped compared to the other characters, especially in the middle of the book. The plot also moved slowly and somewhat aimlessly except around the transitions between the five sections/chapters. While the other aspects of Elsewhere were enough to keep me engaged, if you are looking for something tightly plotted or action filled, this may not be the one for you.