Red Clocks

Red Clocks takes place in a near-future America where abortion has been criminalized and in-vitro fertilization is banned. The story follows five women in a small Oregon town as they navigate these new restrictions while pursuing their own goals and grappling with choices about motherhood. The central characters include a high school teacher writing a biography of a female polar explorer, a teenage student facing an unwanted pregnancy, and a local herbalist who helps women with fertility and other reproductive concerns. Their lives intersect as each woman confronts the impact of the new laws on her personal circumstances and relationships. The narrative alternates between these perspectives, examining how reproductive rights connect to identity, ambition, and freedom in women's lives. Through a blend of realism and speculative fiction, the novel considers both individual experiences and broader societal questions about autonomy and control.

Readers describe Red Clocks as a compelling but challenging read about reproductive rights and women's autonomy. Many draw parallels between the book's themes and current political discussions. Readers appreciated: - The distinct narrative voices of the five main characters - The realistic portrayal of women's everyday struggles - The thought-provoking examination of motherhood - The detailed research on historical herbal medicine Common criticisms: - Slow pacing, especially in the first half - Confusing timeline jumps - Character names (The Wife, The Biographer, etc.) felt gimmicky - Some found the ending unsatisfying Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (47,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4/5 (1,200+ ratings) BookBrowse: 4/5 (89 ratings) Reader quote: "The writing style takes getting used to - choppy and experimental - but the story hits close to home in today's political climate." - Goodreads reviewer

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🕰️ Though published in 2018, Red Clocks was written before the 2016 election; Zumas had been inspired by a 2012 ballot measure in Mississippi that attempted to define personhood as beginning at fertilization. 📚 The novel's structure was influenced by early American women's medical texts and almanacs, which featured multiple voices and types of writing woven together. 🌿 The character known as "The Mender" was based on real historical healers and midwives who were persecuted as witches in colonial America. 🗺️ The book is set in a small coastal town in Oregon, where author Leni Zumas herself lives and teaches creative writing at Portland State University. 📖 The format of the book alternates between five female characters who are known primarily by their roles (The Biographer, The Wife, The Daughter, The Mender, and The Ice Runner) rather than their given names.