Our Take

Ruth Emmie Lang has crafted a luminous sophomore novel that perfectly balances magical realism with deeply human emotions. The Wilderwomen succeeds where many magical realism novels stumble by grounding its supernatural elements in authentic sibling dynamics and genuine family trauma. Lang's prose has an almost mystical quality, particularly in her descriptions of the American landscape that serves as both backdrop and character in the sisters' journey. Readers who were enchanted by The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix E. Harrow or moved by the family complexities in Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi will find themselves completely absorbed in this tale. The novel's exploration of how families fracture and heal feels both intimate and universal, while the supernatural elements never overshadow the emotional core. Lang demonstrates remarkable skill in weaving multiple timelines together, gradually revealing the truth about Nora's disappearance through a masterful balance of present-day discovery and flashback revelation. This is a novel that lingers in your thoughts long after reading, reminding us that sometimes the most magical journeys are the ones that lead us back to each other. A stunning achievement in contemporary magical realism.