The Unmothers, Leslie J. Anderson
The Unmothers, Leslie J. Anderson
List: $22.95 | Sale: $16.07
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The Unmothers
A Novel

Author: Leslie J. Anderson

Narrator: Chelsea Stephens

Unabridged: 8 hr 39 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 08/06/2024

Synopsis

In this emotionally raw and propulsive folk horror-mystery, a journalist goes to a small town and unravels a dark secret that the women have been keeping for generations.Marshall is still trying to put the pieces together after the death of her husband. After she is involved in a terrible accident, her editor sends her to the small, backwards town of Raeford to investigate a clearly ridiculous rumor: that a horse has given birth to a healthy, human baby boy.When Marshall arrives in Raeford, she finds an insular town that is kinder to the horses they are famous for breeding than to their own people. But when two horribly mangled bodies are discovered in a field—one a horse, one a human—she realizes that there might be a real story here.As she’s pulled deeper into the town and its guarded people, her sense of reality is tipped on its head. Is she losing her grip? Or is this impossible story the key to a dark secret that has haunted the women of Raeford for generations?Unbearably tense and utterly gripping, this atmospheric tale of female rage, bodily autonomy, and generational trauma hails the arrival of a masterful storyteller.

About Leslie J. Anderson

Leslie J. Anderson has spent much of her life riding, training, and caring for horses. Her collection of poetry, An Inheritance of Stone, was nominated for an Elgin award. She has an MA degree in creative writing from Ohio University.

About Chelsea Stephens

Chelsea Stephens is an experienced voice actor with a talent for mystery, sci-fi, and YA novels. She won an AudioFile Earphones Award for her narration of Pale Horse, Pale Rider by Katherine Anne Porter. She has a longtime love and appreciation for the performing arts, with experience in onstage acting, singing, and voice-over. Her love for reading books and the pursuit of the story led her to narration. She enjoys unfolding characters and bringing listeners into new worlds.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Hannah (hngisreading) on March 07, 2025

Finally, a book for horse girls who hate men......more

Goodreads review by Jillian on November 04, 2024

In the wake of her husband’s tragic death, newspaper reporter Marshall is given a clear softball assignment: travel to the tiny town of Raeford and investigate claims that a horse has given birth to a human child. Everyone at the paper knows it’s a hoax. It’s an oddball human interest piece, at best......more

Goodreads review by RoseDevoursBooks on July 10, 2024

So far, it seems like I’m in the minority when I say I was a little bored with this book. I loved the prose and thought the atmosphere of the small town was well captured- this alone is what kept me going. But I didn’t really connect with the characters and because the pacing was incredibly slow and......more

Goodreads review by Julie on August 21, 2024

2.5 stars it was okay. This started off strong, but the pace did slow down after about 30%(ish). I think I just went into this book with different expectations. I thought the horror & folklore would be center stage, but this is more of an investigative mystery more than anything else with the horror......more

Goodreads review by hope on July 19, 2024

got this as an ARC and i'm so glad i was able to get my hands on it early because it was a THOROUGHLY enjoyable read! really impressive not only as a work of horror but also especially impressive given that it's the author's debut - leslie anderson is definitely one to watch! i told basically everyon......more

Quotes

“If you love getting lost in a creepy small town, this outstanding novel is one you won’t want to miss.”  New York Times

“The book positively crackles with powerful storytelling that expertly captures the essence of feminine fury, anguish, and empowerment and bottles it into haunting folk horror that will linger with readers long after the final chapter.” Library Journal (starred review)

“Those who enjoy horror with feminist themes will fall easily into The Unmothers.” ScreenRant

“[Anderson] pulls off an impressive trick by providing a satisfying conclusion while still leaving readers with a lingering sense of mystery.” Publishers Weekly

“Chelsea Stephens skillfully narrates…[and] brings the women of the town from fear to righteous retribution…The threat, horror, and mystery of the novel’s folklore is substantial and palpable.” AudioFile

“A gripping, grounded yarn about the forgotten corners of the country, the pains of pregnancy and motherhood, and, yes, the raw, majestic beauty of horses.” Boing Boing

“Terrifying in its beauty, horror, and power, this is a breathless read and a groundbreaking debut. You will never forget its dark spell.” Alison Stine, Philip K. Dick Award–winning author

“A grimly beautiful novel about the terrifying collective power of women’s sublimated hope, grief, and rage…This is folk horror for a forgotten America.” Emily C. Hughes, author of Horror for Weenies

“[A] story about the terrifying ways people cling to—and weaponize—belief systems…You will easily fall captive to the eerie town of Raeford and its monsters.” Anne Heltzel, author of Just Like Mother

Awards

  • Goodreads Pick
  • Paste Magazine Pick
  • Book Riot Pick
  • Indie Next List
  • New York Times Pick
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