“Ordinary is impossible. It’s more realistic to believe that we are all exceptional, that I, too, am singular, unique, that there has never been nor ever will be another me.”

This book blew me away and I honestly didn't expect to love it as much as I did. To me, this story falls into a similar vein as Our Wives Under the Sea which was one of my favorite reads of 2022. It's a slow, mundane story that follows the lives of a young married couple when they are told that Junior, the husband, will be going into space.

The tension that was being built up throughout this novel was incredible. We get these subtle hints of what is truly going on that all lead up to the climax of the story. It seems like an oxymoron, but I believe a great way to describe this book would be simply complex. There is so much nuance just under the surface and a lot to take away with context clues. Just UGH perfection.

I loved that in the end, Henrietta sent a replacement of herself for her husband. The whole time she had been dreaming of leaving and exploring the world. After Junior comes back, there's an immediate sort of complex that happens in Hen's mind because he is now more traveled than her. She told Terrance that if she ever left Junior it would be with a blank letter with his name on the front and that's exactly what she did. The biggest thing I'm curious about is how long do we think it'll take the real Junior to notice that Henrietta isn't Henrietta, but also - will he even care? She would essentially be the perfect wife for him now and not have thoughts of her own, so it would be great for him. Much to think about!!