I recently reconnected with a college friend after a decade, and as I scrolled through her Instagram and the former classmates I came across through her, I saw photos of engagements, bachelorette parties, and weddings. Golden hour, black tie formal, stunning photos of these girls I once knew—now women—blissfully and beautifully in love. One after another. I called my mom and barely choked out a sentence before bursting into tears. I was bewildered by my reaction, scared, too, having prided myself on being a girl’s girl. Was I secretly a terrible person? 
 
But I realized that the real trigger was deeper than the superficial stimuli. I was overwhelmed by grief over the life I thought I would have when I was 19. The dreams and ambitions I had, whether they were mine or not. Never mind that what I wanted then is incongruous with who I am now. Never mind that I’d take this reality any day over those expectations. To be perceived, once again, by people who knew me and my insecurities at that age—a self that cringes out present day me—was mortifying. 
 
As I read GODDESS COMPLEX, I internalized my mom’s response that marriage is not the silencing of comparison culture and there will always be something up for criticism. Sanjena Sathian’s writing is languid but biting, and her sophomore release is delightfully weird. You should read with as little background as possible. Through Sanjana’s character, I was intrigued by the gatekeeping upheld by those with uteruses surrounding fertility and child rearing, especially the dangers of placing one’s sense of self in being a mother. I was enamored and frustrated by Sanjana’s unabashed selfishness, and I found myself wondering where in my socialization, eastern or western, this reaction had its origins. Where is the line between feminist agency and groupthink, Sathian probes. Part psychological thriller, part satire, I saw that, more than motherhood itself, GODDESS COMPLEX is about how our ideas about ourselves can meld our realities to the extremes and the struggle to discern duty from delusion. 
 
Thank you @penguinpress for the e-ARC. GODDESS COMPLEX is out now 💗

Sanjena is a mess. She's in her 30s, dropped out of her graduate program, trying to divorce a husband she can't find, and making poor life choices. The first half of this book was strong. Just like in "Gold Diggers", Sathian writes a story of a far-from-perfect child of a South Asian immigrant. However, the second half was fairly bizarre, leaning towards dystopian. Perhaps that was on purpose, but it was unexpected and didn't work for me.

An intriguing and different look at motherhood and the choices we make. Sanjana left her husband and now, a year later when she needs him to sign their divorce papers, she can't find him. Someone is sending her DMs about the life she might have had. And then there's Sanjena, This isn't going to be for everyone - I'm not sure it was for me. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. For fans of literary fiction.

This starts with the classic tale of a chaotic FMC going through a tough time, but really comes into its own when the strange occurrences start ramping up and we dive headfirst into psychological thriller vibes with a side helping of feminist satire and black comedy.

The unravelling of the truth is delightfully unsettling and was an unexpectedly perfect backdrop for Sathian’s insightful commentary on childbearing and the right to choose.

However, there is a passing reference to Israel and the IDF and I can find nothing online to confirm whether Sathian herself is pro-Israel, in which case I would not recommend this book.

Sanjena Sathian’s "Goddess Complex" is a daring, multi-layered narrative that expertly blends introspection with satire, taking readers on an unforgettable journey through themes of identity, societal expectations, and personal transformation.

The brilliant yet disoriented protagonist, Sanjana Satyananda, is caught in the chaos of a crumbled marriage, a stalled academic career, and a profound dissatisfaction with the rigid norms of femininity and Indian-American culture. Sathian’s storytelling is as sharp as it is whimsical, weaving a hallucinatory and engrossing tale that keeps readers hooked from start to finish.

The plot is both intricate and intriguing, as Sanjana’s quest to make sense of her life—sparked by mysterious DMs and a surreal encounter with her own doppelgänger—takes her from Connecticut back to India, where the story intensifies with unexpected twists and revelations. Sathian’s choice to integrate Gothic elements like doppelgängers and gaslighting adds a layer of suspense and intrigue, while the vibrant cultural backdrop enriches the narrative. The pacing alternates moments of page-turning tension with poignant introspection, keeping readers thoroughly engaged.

What truly elevates the novel is its characterization. Sanjana is a deeply flawed and compelling character whose struggles resonate on a profound level. Her vulnerability, sharp wit, and search for meaning make her journey all the more captivating. The supporting cast—ranging from her estranged husband and enigmatic influencer doppelgänger to her eccentric family—adds depth and complexity, with each character reflecting facets of the societal pressures Sanjana grapples with.

With its bold narrative, rich plot, and incisive commentary, "Goddess Complex" is a triumph of both storytelling and thematic exploration, delivering a reading experience that is both thought-provoking and immensely enjoyable.

Thank you NetGalley and Penguin for this ARC!

3.5 stars a borderline 4 star for me.

The author is a bit too brash in the beginning which I found to be off-putting. The plot took awhile to develop as well. The last third of the book really wheeled me back in though. Would not classify it as a psychological thriller and felt a little rushed at the end. I would recommend it, it just wasn't quite what I was expecting.

This is a beautiful exploration of fertility, divinity, and the relentless societal gaze on women’s bodies. Sathian masterfully unpacks the insane expectations placed on women including how they are valued, revered, and scrutinized based on their choices (or lack thereof) about reproduction. The conversations surrounding motherhood, modern womanhood, feminism, social media, and pro-choice were so refreshing!

It made me sit with ways history and culture have shaped conversations about fertility — how womanhood is often tied to the ability (or willingness) to bear children and how those who choose otherwise are seen as incomplete or defiant. In Goddess Complex, Sathian refuses to let these narratives go unquestioned, instead offering a story that is tender, fierce, and beautifully unsettling.

I loved every moment of this — Sathian’s prose, the political commentary, the plot twists??? This was such a perfect read for Women’s History Month, reminding me that our power is not in what we can produce but in who we are. 💛✨

This one was a bit of a fever dream. Things started seemingly normal, at least as normal as it gets for the MC who doesn’t quite have her life together (at least by some standards of society) just as everyone else around her seems to be checking all the boxes. I thought the commentary around this was done very well (although perhaps could have gone deeper at certain points), from slightly not fitting in to being shamed for different desires around reproduction, what it means for selfhood to choose to not become a parent and all the reasons that surround these choices.
But there was also a big mystery around locating the MC ex and the MC’s doppelganger and that’s where things got really strange and the genre entirely shifted to psychological thriller territory. The nebulous and auto-fiction adjacent exploration on the second part really reminded me of a nightmare of multiple unresolved problems and I’m not sure I have untangled all the knots Sathian presented here.

3.5 stars -

What I liked: Sanjena Sathian is a master at writing deeply unlikeable characters. As someone who the main character would probably shudder at (a soon-to-be mother living in relatively traditional constraints of what society expects of women), I still found her messiness and bluntness as she questioned why the women around her made the decisions they did refreshing. It's rare to see a character like this, especially a South Asian woman.

Things I didn't love: The pace, however, was very slow for me - it really only picked up until we were already halfway through the book. And the sudden tone shift was a bit jarring for me - it felt like I'd picked up a completely different book. I even double checked that I had opened the correct book on my kindle at one point.


Thank you to NetGalley for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review

This is an interesting read, but unfortunately, the plot left much to be desired. I liked reading about motherhood and feminism, but I wanted more substance. Every conversation felt very surface level and disingenuous. The writing style is nice, but this book left me wanting more.

after loving the first half of Gold Diggers and hating the protagonist and the plot in the second half, I was a bit hesitant to go into Goddess Complex, but Goddess Complex is a win for me! I loved the narrative voice of Sanjana-- who made me laugh out loud multiple times, especially at her shouting her abortion outburst-- and her messy navigation of life in the beginning half of the book. honestly, I could have read entire books about that half of the book and the second half of the book separately. the second half's spooky cult vibe was also a great premise-- it felt a little disjointed at times and I wish we could have spent more time in that part of the story for something that was so important it was the title of the book, but otherwise it was fantastic. the whole book was a deep, almost auto-fictional exploration of pregnancy, motherhood, & self that kept me turning the pages and thinking about it after I finished it!

The complexity of existing as a parent, to be responsible for a tiny thing that requires all the attention and love one can provide, nurture and instill values to be a functional human in society - IS terrifying. I can understand that. The novel thus opens with someone whose ideas are adjacent to the norm but not with the hiccups an average thirty odd year old would come to.

The concept of motherhood and choosing not to, isn't easy to explain to many. It is where the narrator finds herself in, boxed into being "strange" by her mother and an "outsider" in her clan. Being in process of separating from her Irish-Indian husband and pursuing grad school in Anthropology, she struggles with changes in lives of her best friend who is now pregnant and settled into life of family, and seemingly new woman in her ex-husband's life.

I loved reading into first half of this novel. The struggle to belong, the search that's seemingly aimless and the platitudes she utters to cajole herself, are somewhat relatable. And then it goes wonky.
I couldn't understand the sudden shift in tone to somewhat thriller/mystery genre but not entirely embracing it and it derailed the conversation the first half of the book started.

Maybe this was two books; two parts of whole that thematically resembled but executed in widely different styles. As a part of coherent story, it didn't come through.

<i>Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin Press for providing me with a free copy of this e-book in exchange for an honest review. </i>

Witty, thought-provoking, entertaining, modern - Goddess Complex offers a layered perspective on contemporary issues faced by women. Loved this one!

Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Press for the free copy in exchange for my honest review.

I really wish I could give this a higher rating! The writing was great and the author is so smart and funny. As promised, it’s an exploration of motherhood and, importantly, non-motherhood. I’m in the stage of life where I and my friends are thinking about this topic a lot, so many of her insights hit home. There were several passages I wanted to highlight and it even made me laugh out loud once, which is a feat!

Unfortunately, while I liked the idea of this book, the story itself didn’t work for me. The main character is a woman about my age and a bit of a mess, which is always a struggle for me. The first half of the book had potential, but it completely fell apart for me in the second half, when it turned from literary fiction into more of a thriller that didn’t come together or hold my attention. I considered DNFing around 70%, but because it was such a quick read I decided to see it through and find out what happened. The ending was too tidy and unsatisfying. I’m eager to read Sathian’s debut, GOLD DIGGERs, because I have a feeling it will work better for me, but I’m not sure I recommend this one.

Goddess Complex was everything I hoped it would be. It was a more tame version of books like Natural Beauty and Rouge, focusing less on the beauty standards for women and more on the pressure to reproduce. This novel really switched gears in part two but it kept my attention all the same. There’s an uncomfortable vibe and eeriness that lingers through the entire thing. I thought this was an insightful and honest study into the differing feelings women have on pregnancy and motherhood. Some simply aren’t interested and others would do ANYTHING ( and I mean anything) for it.

Thank you to Net Galley and Penguin Press for the ARC. I really liked the first half of the novel, Sanjena Sathian has got a great writing style, and the characterization and plot in the first half was really interesting. There was also some really nice sarcastic humor. Its in the second half that the plot starts to lose its shape and things become a little weaker.

Absolutely loved this. Related in many aspects to our main character's flaws and her aimless search for purpose. I was deeply impressed by the author's storytelling. The commentary on our society's expectations of women (and their reproductive capabilities and choice) and also their expectations of themselves was done artfully with the appropriate nuance and care for the subject. Definitely a new—extremely strange, but in a good way—favourite, that I will be recommending for years to come.

2/13, post on 2/25
I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

Goddess Complex by Sanjena Sathian is a first person-POV literary novel with strong themes of choosing not to be a mother, being othered as a South Asian woman, and how obsessed society is with having children. Sanjana had an abortion and left her husband, Killian, in India a year ago and is now unable to contact him to get a divorce. He’s not responding to her messages and is now being photographed with a woman who looks sort of like Sanjana. And other people are now messaging Sanjana, assuming that she’s Killian’s new partner. As time goes on, Sanjana’s life and the life of this mystery woman become more and more entwined.

It was bold of Sanjena Sathian to have a main character with a name not only incredibly similar to her own, but also to have a character with a name identical to her’s (Sanjena) and then feature that one letter difference as a plot point. I don’t think I’ve ever seen an author do that. I feel that so many authors would be afraid of being called a narcissist for including their name or readers acting weird about it. Sanjena Sathian goes full speed ahead and not once did I think it was weird because, if anything, it made the novel feel more like either a work of autofiction or something deeply personal with her exposing parts of herself that people could reject.

The complex themes about not choosing motherhood are directly tied to infertility and rapidly losing time to give birth when you hit your thirties. This hit hard for me as someone who definitely wants kids but can feel my clock ticking. Sanjana doesn’t want kids as far as I could see, but she still has that knowledge that she is running out of time as her best friend finally gets pregnant and Killian became desperate to have a family with her when his career was going nowhere. The woman who slowly starts to assume Sanjana’s life is even a pregnancy influencer. I think it is such a difficult topic for so many women because it becomes so much harder for us to have kids before half our lives are even over and we feel pressured to do it, but what if we decide later to have them and it’s too late? A lot of women grapple with this and we need to keep talking about it until society accepts that being a parent should be an active choice but also that having fertility issues isn’t some kind of failing.

Content warning for mentions of racism, sexism, abortion, depictions of pregnancy and sexual assault

I would recommend this to readers looking for books with themes of infertility and choosing not to be a mother and themes of identity

I absolutely hated the main character from the first sentence, but that made for somewhat enjoyable reading. Sanjana is struggling in the year after her last argument with her husband. She left him behind at a commune in India, and has been trying to get herself back on track, but can't shake the feeling that she should be more aligned with the life goals of her peers. She can't quite get there -- her marriage is failed, her hook-ups go wrong, she is so apathetic to children that she can't even be happy for her pregnant best friend. Worst of all, she is being stalked by strangers who lead her to believe that her shadow self could be living her best life in India with the husband she left behind.

And what Sanjana finds in India is really a reckoning with herself, told in the most absurd way. At some point in the story I kind of threw up my hands, and just accepted this book for what it was -- a barely believable set of circumstances that hold a mirror up to Sanjana (and her ilk) so that we are forced to see our inability to roll with the punches of life, and how that can lead to our downfall.

Sanjena Sathian’s Goddess Complex is a tumultuous love letter for women and their choice, for the ones who do not want to become mothers and have to slave away in motherhood. It also intricately explores infertility and the uncanniness of what one’s obsession can lead to because of an inextricable longing for a child, someone to be born from a womb.

This satirically strange novel breaches the idea of a thriller but emerges as more of a commentary on women’s bodies, the idea of choice and gaining freedom from that. Mix in the complexities of the South Asian diaspora and navigate through the character Sanjana’s beautifully chaotic life.

Sathian has a unique way of addressing herself—author-as-main character. In a very intriguing way, she broke the fourth wall as she addresses her ‘not’ self whilst they convene about ‘mirroring’ in their book. It was an enjoyable read.

[Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Random House for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.]