Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!

Abby Geni's "The Body Farm" presents a captivating exploration of the human condition through a collection of haunting stories that delve deep into the enigmatic realm of the physical body. Geni skillfully navigates the intricate demands and freedoms inherent within our bodies, intertwining themes of liberation, fluidity, and acceptance.

"The Body Farm" offers a diverse array of bodily narratives, spanning from humans to plants, animals, and water. Geni masterfully reveals the refusal of bodies to be confined, showcasing the inherent messiness and freedom that accompany corporeal existence. These stories illuminate the potential of bodies in solidarity, urging readers to embrace bodily pleasure and joy.

The standout story of this collection is “Across, Beyond, Through,” which should be considered required reading for parents of transgender, nonbinary, or gender-fluid children. Through this tale, Geni deftly navigates themes of religious trauma and queerphobia, emphasizing the body's innate mutability and the importance of self-determination.

Throughout the collection, Geni probes the boundary between body and world, advocating for acceptance and solidarity with the inherently unknowable nature of the body. Queer representation shines, underscoring themes of fluidity and the consequences of attempting to impose order on the wildness of the body.

While the collection slightly lags in the middle and shifts tone in the second half to explore the body's dangers and vulnerabilities, it remains a compelling examination of the human experience. Geni deftly weaves themes of reproductive justice and the futility of controlling the body, ultimately urging readers to embrace their bodies and celebrate when others do the same.

"The Body Farm" stands as a testament to the resilience and beauty of the human form, leaving readers pondering the boundless possibilities of bodily existence. As a reader, I found myself drawn to Geni's introspective examination of the body's mysteries, prompting contemplation of its inherent unknowability. Through Geni's masterful storytelling, readers are compelled to reconsider their relationships with their own bodies and those that surround them, inviting them on a journey of self-discovery and acceptance in the face of the unknowable.

📖 Recommended For: Explorers of Human Identity, Advocates of Bodily Autonomy, Supporters of LGBTQ+ Rights, Fans of Agustina Bazterrica's "Tender is the Flesh" and the TV show Sense8.

🔑 Key Themes: Bodily Liberation, Fluidity of Identity, Queer Representation, Religious Trauma, Self-Determination, Acceptance of the Unknowable, Reproductive Justice, Embracing Diversity in Bodily Existence.