This clever novel takes on a woman’s place in the world and society with an ingenious conceit: There’s a small, isolated town that suffers through a terrifying affliction. Once the women of the town become mothers, they eventually disappear. One moment they’re there, the next they’re gone forever. The town explains this phenomenon by trying to find just what they did wrong as mothers to deserve their fate: Did they yell at their kids too much? Not take care of them well enough? The way Shaitkin explores motherhood and the judgements, realities, and prejudices that come with it is dark yet intoxicating. This one is a must-read!