The Most

Who knew ~150 pages about a woman in a pool could pack such a punch. An in depth and intricate look into the lives of Kathleen and Virgil, their marriage, and their deceptions. The author did the *perfect* job of capturing those complex feelings we have towards marriage and the fleeting thoughts of “how would my life be if I had done these things differently”.
So many little tidbits interweaved between perspectives and it was done immaculately well.

"The Most" has a plot I couldn't resist -- a woman skips church one morning with her husband and kids, goes for a swim in their apartment complex pool and refuses to come out. Throughout this short story you come to know these characters more intimately than you might expect to in a 400-page book; their motivations, desires, character flaws and search for meaning. This read will cause you to think, and to be jealous of how amazing Jessica Anthony writes. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. #TheMost #NetGalley

I received an ARC of The Most via Netgalley prior to its publication!

And I’m so glad that I did.
This novella follows Kathleen and Virgil, a married couple living with their two boys in a Delaware apartment complex when one day, inexplicably, Kathleen doesn’t want to get out of the pool.
My first thought was that this would be an outrageous unhinged woman thing (like REALLY would not get out of the pool), but instead it was a domestic drama set in the 1950s, alternating perspectives from husband and wife, expertly crafting a story about the narratives we tell ourselves about the choices we make.
I loved the way that Jessica Anthony told the same stories from both Virgil’s and Kathleen’s perspectives. The way they explained some of the same people with acute precision, but from such different lenses. Each character felt entirely different.
The way Jessica Anthony explored power dynamics and the male/female roles and expectations was— chefs kiss— 👩‍🍳💋
I loved this so much!

The Most is a tightly crafted and powerful novella. Set in the 1950s, this story follows Kathleen and Virgil, a married couple who have hit a crossroads on an unusually warm November day.

I loved the way that this story unfolded. Each chapter alternates between the main characters, and you learn more about their pasts as well as how they view their marriage. Both have secrets, regrets, and genuine affection for each other. Even though this is a portrait of a complicated relationship set over 70 years ago, it still feels fresh and relatable.

I would also be remiss if I didn't mention how great the cover design is, and how much I'm looking forward to acquiring a physical copy of this to read again when it's released in June '24. I highly recommend this quick and satisfying read and can't wait to read more by Jessica Anthony.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Little Brown and Company for providing the ARC in exchange for my honest review.