You Feel It Just Below the Ribs by Jeffrey Cranor and Janina Matthewson

Have you ever read a book you thought was a retelling and then you read all the reviews to find out you’re the only one?  That’s what happened when I read You Feel It Just Below the Ribs by Jeffrey Cranor & Janina Matthewson.  I started thinking it was a retelling of the Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.  The book is written in a unique narrative because it is a fictional autobiography with footnotes and interludes. Miriam is a psychological researcher who has literally and figuratively perfected intentional detachment.  Her odd, almost unreliable narrative is explained by her last when she grows up during The Great Reckoning. The idea of an apocalypse is a comfort, because it makes death seem like something we can all experience together, in a single moment, a colorful firework burst.”  Miriam seemed like a sociopath to me.  She uses her research to disassociate everyone with the New Society (big brother).  We also have Dr. Rosemary who performs torturous experiments on both children and adults to help Dr. Miriam’s research.  I thought they were the same person and this was like a good doctor and evil doctor sociopath.  There’s a twist and the end is much better than the beginning.  This book was weird but yet interesting.  I had not listened to the author’s podcast which may help readers become more invested.  Those who like Ayn Rand or Margaret Atwood would enjoy this one.  

#youfeelitjustbelowtheribs #jeffreycranor #janinamatthewson #bibliolifestyle