Motherlunge — Kirstin Scott

AWP Award Series in the Novel


MOTHERLUNGE is an eloquent and irreverent debut novel about first sex, true love, chronic sibling rivalry; it's about the deepest fear of young (and not-so-young) adulthood: the fear of inheriting a disappointing life. It's motherly advice, too -- featuring wigs, dogs, road trips, and medicine -- a guide to the essential experiences of being female, "born unto a librarian, named for the goddess of sight,” waiting for the future to arrive. With sly wit and surprising joy, MOTHERLUNGE considers the flaws in the family line and celebrates the promise that staggers alongside.


"Impressive...Scott, winner of the AWP Prize in the Novel, renders wonderfully offbeat characters in crisp, polished prose." -- Booklist (starred review)


"Funny and smart…in Thea and those around her Scott has created characters we believe in and wish well, characters who feel real -- strange and sad and happy, like real people are." -- Publishers Weekly (starred review, “Pick of the Week”)