Book: Obstetrix by Naomi Kritzer
Reviewed by Weird | weird.reads.books
Rating: 3.5/5
I feel like I haven’t read a lot of fictional cult books, and I’m grateful Obstetrix came along to scratch that itch. There are portions that felt almost too realistic for comfort. Our main character, Liz, is an obstetrician facing the aftermath of a trial where she’s acquitted for performing the last abortion in North Dakota. This feels like a real risk OBGYNs face while practicing in certain states of the United States. The aftermath presents the damage done to Liz’s reputational brand, despite her being acquitted, and finding a job in a different state.
A cult kidnaps her to treat one of their members facing a complicated pregnancy. Experiencing a cult through the eyes of a kidnapped doctor was fascinating, but it definitely felt very… standard cult-y. I’m a person who had read and researched about several cults around the world, so to me, the cult felt almost generic in some aspects. Everyone’s mileage may vary, and perhaps the point was to make this cult slightly more realistic than others, but I found myself not surprised at any part of the story. Still, it was an enjoyable and quick listen. I’d recommend it if you’re looking for a cult story with a unique medical perspective.
Thank you so much to Macmillan Audio for the ALC of this book. All opinions are my own.