The Review

When I read the synopsis for “How to Care for a Human Girl,” a debut novel by Ashley Wurzbacher, I instantly hit request. In the summer of 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court overruled Roe V. Wade, which stated that the 14th amendment, granting citizens the right to privacy, included privacy in making reproductive health decisions, most notably – abortion access. The premise appeared to be making pertinent social commentary as the story promised to explore the complexities of choice, sisterhood, and the impact of our political climate on everyday life; and it looked like a novel I didn’t want to miss.

The novel is divided into two timelines: the present, in 2018, and the past, set pre-election 2016. In the present, Jada, a 31-year-old psychology PhD student, quietly undergoes an abortion without informing her husband, creating turmoil in her already unstable marriage. Meanwhile, Maddy, a 19-year-old working at a wildlife rehabilitation center, contemplates having an abortion after being paid off by the man responsible for her pregnancy. However, an unsettling visit to a crisis pregnancy center complicates her decision. In the past, readers are shown how the impending death of their mother caused a rift in the sisters’ relationship.

Personally, I felt this novel could have done more. The writing style was enjoyable, and Wurzbacher knew what she wanted to convey with her voice. However, I am not positive the delivery will be well-received. Wurzbacher focused on the “grey” area in the novel – never leaning too conservative or too liberal – which could upset some audiences. In fact, early on in the novel, Maddy even makes a point along the lines of how the ultra-conservative and ultra-liberal girls at her high school are two sides of the same coin. No matter what, both will always complain about either doing too much or too little – never being able to please them. I understand Wurzbacher probably felt similarly given the dichotomy of opinions on this topic, but Wurzbacher could have been less ambiguous.

It was this ambiguity that made Jada highly unrelatable. With Maddy, we were provided the whole story – including the traumatic experience of weaponized religion at the Crisis Center. Maddy’s decisions and choices made sense because, as the reader, we were able to follow along and feel her feelings. Jada, on the other hand, was not provided this luxury. Women do not need a justification for why they choose to proceed with an abortion, but the fact that Jada’s experience occurred off-screen – one minute she was pregnant, next she was not – was a missed opportunity to better help the reader connect. I understand the reasoning why Wurzbacher declined to include this.

Compared to Maddy, Jada’s storyline was not supposed to be about her pregnancy; it was simply a thing that happened. However, I couldn’t help but feel that Jada’s experience deserved more exploration. Jada stated she did not regret her decision; but based on how defensive she gets toward Maddy needing one too, and her reflection on her experience at the clinic, it felt like she was experiencing some remorse. By glossing over Jada’s journey, the reader is left wanting to understand her motivations and emotions more deeply.

What did stand out in this novel was the exploration of sisterhood. The complex relationship between Jada and Maddy, added depth and nuance to the story. Due to their mother’s cancer, and their father’s ineptness and unavailability, at 12 years-old, Jada practically raised Maddy growing up. It is hard to feel like sisters when one sister is always acting as a surrogate mother. The resentment created by this dynamic is evident in both narratives. Ultimately showcasing the power of familial bonds and the ways in which they can both support and strain our lives. This was a refreshing theme amidst the backdrop of a politically charged plot.

In conclusion, “How to Care for a Human Girl” is a thought-provoking debut novel that delves into important contemporary issues. While it successfully tackles the complexities of choice, sisterhood, and the influence of political climate, it leaves some aspects underdeveloped. A deeper exploration of Jada’s experience and a clearer stance on the subject matter could have made the narrative more impactful. Nonetheless, Ashley Wurzbacher’s talent shines through, making this novel worth a read for those interested in exploring the intricacies of reproductive health and familial relationships.

Rating: 3.5/5 stars rounding down to 3 stars on GoodReads.

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Short Review (AKA TLDR)

When I read the synopsis for “How to Care for a Human Girl,” a debut novel by Ashley Wurzbacher, I was immediately drawn in by its promise to explore the complexities of choice, sisterhood, and the impact of our political climate on everyday life. Set in two timelines, the novel follows Jada, a 31-year-old psychology PhD student, who quietly undergoes an abortion without informing her husband, and Maddy, a 19-year-old considering an abortion after a traumatic experience at a crisis pregnancy center.

The book’s writing style and exploration of sisterhood were commendable. Wurzbacher skillfully navigates the “grey” area in the novel, never leaning too conservative or liberal, however the delivery may not be well-received by all audiences as some readers might find the novel’s ambiguous stance on sensitive issues too neutral.

Told in both Maddy and Jada’s perspective, in two different timelines, I found myself more drawn to Maddy’s plotline than Jada’s. Jada’s character lacked depth and a majority of her POV was told through clinical psychological studies. I enjoyed the references, and proper citation use; I am a technical, peer-reviewed minded individual, and would think in a similar pattern to Jada. However, Jada deserved a less technical, more emotion based, exploration to better connected the reader to her journey. Nonetheless, the book successfully addresses important contemporary issues, making it worth a read for those interested in the intricacies of reproductive health and familial relationships.