Myths, Mothers and Magic

“The freedom for which they had fought turned out to be fatal. It destroyed them the way oxygen destroys buried frescoes when they are suddenly brought into the light.”

My Thoughts

This book is not simply a book. It is a novel, a myth, a critique, a feminist statement and I loved (almost) every part of it. Ugrešić’s writing is sharp, funny, and full of irony. Her take on how society treats older women hits hard but is also darkly humorous. Instead of just criticizing this, she reclaims their power, linking them to Baba Yaga, a figure of both wisdom and fear. 

There was a few times (especially in the second section) where this book genuinely made me laugh out loud, from the spa attendant’s awkward English to the three crones’ witty jokes. But, there were also times when the topics being discussed topics were dark and heavy. I was especially surprised to see a nod to Indian history when Ugrešić referenced the ancient practice of sati: “Can we imagine all those Indian brides and widows rising from the ashes where they were burned alive and going forth into the world with drawn swords in their hands?”. 

One part that I did not enjoy as much was the final part of the book. It dove into a deep historical analysis of Baba Yaga, which was interesting but felt more like an academic essay than part of a novel. After the more fast-paced parts that came before, it was a bit of a drag to get through. 

Overally, I found this book to be a thoughtful and biting take on womanhood and aging. I would definitely reccommend reading it, because whether you like every part of it or not, it’s a book that sticks with you!