Woman No. 17

Lady Daniels, a wealthy Hollywood Hills housewife, hires a live-in nanny named S Fowler while working on a memoir during a trial separation from her husband. With two sons to care for - including her eldest Seth who doesn't speak - Lady seeks help managing her household while pursuing her writing. S Fowler arrives with her own complex motivations and artistic ambitions, having recently abandoned her life in the Bay Area. Her presence in the household creates an intricate dynamic with Lady and becomes entangled with the family's existing relationships, including those with Lady's sister-in-law Kitty, a photographer known for her portrait series "Woman No. 17." As Lady attempts to write about her past and her relationship with her silent son, both women navigate their own histories with their mothers and their evolving identities as adults. The story follows their increasingly complicated connection as secrets begin to surface. The novel explores themes of motherhood, artistic expression, and the personas women construct for themselves and others. Through parallel narratives, it examines how past relationships shape present ones and questions the nature of truth in both art and personal history.

Readers found this book dark and unsettling, with strong character development but a slow-moving plot. Many noted the complex mother-child relationships and exploration of female identity. Positive feedback focused on: - Sharp observations about class and privilege in Los Angeles - Unique structure alternating between two perspectives - Raw, honest portrayal of motherhood struggles - Artistic themes and photography elements Common criticisms: - Plot lacks momentum and clear direction - Characters make frustrating, self-destructive choices - Ending feels unsatisfying and abrupt - Too much focus on wealthy LA lifestyle details Ratings: Goodreads: 3.3/5 (4,800+ ratings) Amazon: 3.7/5 (120+ ratings) Notable reader comments: "Beautiful writing but needed more story substance" -Goodreads reviewer "Characters were well-drawn but almost impossible to like" -Amazon reviewer "Captures the anxiety of modern motherhood perfectly" -BookPage reader review

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🔸 The book's exploration of a non-verbal character was partly inspired by Lepucki's work with autistic children during her college years at Oberlin College. 🔸 "Woman No. 17" shares themes with Cindy Sherman's famous photographic self-portraits, particularly in S's artistic project of recreating her mother's identity. 🔸 The novel's Los Angeles setting draws from Edan Lepucki's own experiences growing up in the Hollywood Hills, adding authenticity to the atmospheric descriptions. 🔸 Prior to this book's publication, Lepucki gained national attention when her debut novel "California" became a focal point in the Amazon-Hachette publishing dispute, championed by Stephen Colbert. 🔸 The title "Woman No. 17" references both the artwork within the novel and the numbered categorizations women often face in society, serving as a commentary on female identity.