This is a graphically honest account of pregnancy, birth and early motherhood. At times it is difficult to read because of the honesty. I think that all mothers will be able to relate to at least parts of the book.

I found that parts of the book had too much symbolism and intended meaning that I found confusing. Overall it is a story that needs to be told as there are many women that can relate to this part of becoming a mother.
I would caution readers that it could cause anxiety and fear that all experiences becoming a mother would follow this path.

The topic of this book is what drew me in, and I applaud the author for taking on such a heavy topic. Post-Partum depression is an abstract concept for many people because they have not experienced it, but this book shows us how it manifests.

I wasn't the biggest fan of the choppy way it was written, mainly because this is a style I'm not used to.

Overall I would give it 2.5-3 stars.

Thank you, NetGalley and Pantheon, for the opportunity to read this advance copy.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A deep dive on motherhood and what can be the crippling loneliness of it. As a young woman, motherhood seems to be the center of more and more of my conversations. Children are one thing, becoming a mother is another. Or at least, it’s seeming that way to me.

Though it’s a completely different premise and a completely different writing style, I can’t help but think of books such as My Year of Rest & Relaxation. For most of the book, we are in a sort of trance with Miffo. She goes through the motions, drags herself through every hour of each day. Sometimes, it feels as if she is in a haze, which Molnar does a masterful job at establishing through her writing.

Still, there is a beam of hope, a sense of finality that makes way for a new beginning. I will admit, this book was not always my cup of tea as I read through it, but I’m glad to have read it nonetheless.

TW/CW: PPD

Add this to the list of books that make motherhood….not exactly appealing (looking at you, too- THE PUSH). As someone who’s not a mother, but has witnessed PPD and knows the real struggle of mothers in our society today, I’d like to say that THE NURSERY was a real and raw depiction of a woman very much struggling in her new role- whether it’s the changes in your relationship with your partner, career changes, or physical changes. I can’t help but be intrigued by how every woman experiences post-partum differently, yet what stays the same is how any kind of emotional difficulty is stigmatized. That “haze” that’s always described in those first few weeks and months, was paradoxically so damn clear in Molnar’s writing. Our MC’s inner thoughts were at times scary, unhinged, scattered, and sometimes…humorous. After so much inner dialogue, I felt like I knew her. If you’re in a good place on your post-partum journey, you might find some of this kind of funny, which was purposeful and did help how heavy the plot really was. If you’re questioning any future desire to become a mother someday like myself…I’d still recommend it. Or maybe not. You be the judge of that.

I loved it. As much as you can love a book about PPD. Also, a moment of silence for this stunning cover.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is an honest, unflinching view of how childbirth and changes a person physically, mentally and irreparably. I was a bit hesitant to read this book because I remember how painful and destabilizing those first days and weeks can be, how the depression and anxiety mixes with guilt because, after all, having a child is everything you hoped and prayed for. If this were a longer read, I may not have started it, but I'm glad I did - even if I found myself disorientated and confused at times, which I'm sure that was the author's intent.

Throughout the book, the author never names the main character (once you become a mother, that identity subsumes all others) and simply referred to the baby as "Button" (signifying a certain detachment). It was a tough book for me but I'm ultimately glad I read it.

Thank you to NetGalley, Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor, Pantheon for this gripping ARC of the aptly titled The Nursery, a story of postpartum depression.

I love stream-of-consciousness narratives such as in this book. It draws me into the minutia of the narrator, and I have always thought that sharing in mundane details of a person’s inner sanctum leads to great intimacy, whether that person is real or a book character.

The narrator possesses a fierce female voice, despairing of a high intelligence imprisoned in total physicality of host to a parasitical infant.
Nature cruelly takes all from a procreating woman, her body and her mind.

Five stars.

The Nursery by Szilvia Molnar is a stunning debut novel.
It was honestly a book I didn't know I needed!
Szilvia Molnar beautiful and honestly shows the struggle a woman endures during those postpartum days. The fear and craziness we feel at times. And how important it is to climb out of those dark times.
I will be grabbing more future books from her because this book took me by surprise.
Her writing was amazing and really held my attention.

"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor, Pantheon,
Thank You for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this eARC!

This is a very accurate depiction of postpartum depression and the feelings of confusion, fear, paranoia, and heaviness after giving birth to your baby, that you really did want.
Even a husband who is supportive, is not able to truly understand or assist to help a postpartum wife when experiencing these feelings.
The novel is well written and pulled me right in to the story and fears for this little newborn called "Button" by her Mom.

I will be looking for more writings from this author and I would like to thank #NetGalley and #Knopt, Pantheon, Vintage and Anchor Publishing for this ARC and allowing me to read and provide my own review.

This is a very unusual book, narrated by a newborn’s mother in the first week of the baby’s life. The baby, named or nicknamed Button, is both an active character, in the sense that everything revolves around her care, and inactive, because as a newborn everything must be done for her or for her benefit.

There is almost no dialogue, save for the first person narration, if that can be called dialogue, and I suppose it is, because it is a true stream of consciousness telling of facts and dreams and thoughts. Through this stream of consciousness, the reader vicariously experiences the early days of childcare, from the benigh to the terrifyingly fearful, voice of the mother. Having never had a child myself, all I can say is that these rambles, which are sometimes hard to keep track of, seem very real to me.

This book is unlike any book I have ever read, and for some readers I think it will prove frustrating. There were times when I thought “what the heck is happening here?” but I stuck with it and overall I found it a magnificent effort and a fantastic read. I look forward to reading other books by this writer.

I received this book as an ARC from the publisher and NetGalley.

I worship the book The Yellow Wallpaper. So I definitely love this one. I would say choose this book amidst the new ones coming out even when the book cover isn’t being the attention seeker.

I would say the cover reflects perfectly the plot.

The story deals with postpartum depression so accurately. I would say it isn’t as heartbreaking and sad as I have read characters with worse people in their lives.

I love the writing so much. The blurb is perfect. It tells exactly what you can expect from this short read.

There is nothing I would say that didn’t add to the seriousness and the worrisome condition of the character. I am looking forward to more of the debut author’s works in the future.

Thank you, Pantheon, for the advance reading copy.

Heartiest gratitude to Netgalley, Szilvia Molnar and the publisher for the ARC!

Oh.My.Goodness. I really shouldn't have read the book. I'm a weepy mess scared to death and I'm not even married.