I need to note that I read this book while going through my mom being sicker than her normal. This put a different perspective on reading and my time available to read a book. Any book. It was a gift of timing as our family struggles with the unknowing of when a well lived life will end. I was reading a book about lives that never get to start.
Other Bodies is a book aimed at young adults, but would be a good read for adults as well. It would be interesting to have a kid and parent read individually and discuss. This book would also be suitable for a book study. The book is a good one to think about what we believe and why. Often we can begin a discussion of difficult topics through a story. While Other Bodies is definitely a fiction book, the main plot touches on an almost daily headline subject.
The back stated a “dystopian” world. (I needed to look up that word) It means an imagined society of great suffering or injustice.(Oxford dictionary)
The book takes place in a future where jobs are few and far between so Hattie (the main character) takes what she can to pay the bills. She gets a job at Managed Motherhood. Hattie learns many of the ins and outs of her new job with some interesting characters as co-workers. She learns about the protesters outside her work. Protesters, members of society and workers that sometimes quibble over the wording of what is really being done behind closed doors.
The book covers a lot of issues that could lead a woman into thinking an abortion is the only option. What about the father? Women do not get pregnant on their own, but are often the one making the final decision.
This book delved into something I had been sadly considering recently as what if as we allow abortions, babies become science experiments?
There is a touch of irony as the book touches on abortion of real life, but the acceptance of the artificial intelligence units as coworkers is necessary.
While some of the situations may seem far fetched, we continue to make advancements in medicine and technology. Who knows for sure what the future will hold?
What are we willing to do to make now for a different today and our futures? I often keep my views on abortion to myself, but if we don't speak for the weakest among us? Who will? Thank you to Joel Ohman for writing what could be considered a career ending novel due to subject matter. Hopefully, this book will be read by people on both sides of the abortion controversy and conversations will continue.
Author Notes: https://www.joelohman.com/
Tell a story: https://www.joelohman.com/
Author Bio: https://www.joelohman.com/
Book Link: https://amzn.to/
“Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.
