This is the most complete book I’ve read since North Woods by Daniel Mason, which was my favourite of 2024. By ‘complete’, I mean that it satisfied so much of what I want from a novel: heart wrenching emotional attachment; saying something unexpected and unique; a use of words that makes me want to read both more slowly and more quickly- and a sense that I won’t forget this book soon or easily.
I find it completely astonishing that this is Rowe Irvin’s debut.

I believe that no matter what with a book you've been fortunate to receive you should give feedback, good or bad.

With Life cycle of a moth I simply could not continue reading this book. I gave up 10% of the way in. I found the manner in which it was written really strange to read and the story seemed to be all over the place. I simply could not see where the story or the characters were gone and did not have that feeling I normally get with a book. Sorry if this is not what you want to hear.

The writing didn’t work for me unfortunately! I thought the story seemed interesting initially, but I was thrown off by the Daugher/Myma language. The whimsical and waxing prose of the writing was hard to sink my teeth into. As well, the story was something I’ve read time and time again, there wasn’t anything new within this story for me.

Life Cycle of a Moth by Rowe Irvin is a stunning and haunting debut that grips you from the very first page. This book is a masterclass in atmosphere, tension, and emotion, exploring the complexities of maternal love, isolation, and the fragility of the life one builds to protect what one loves.

Set in a remote woodland, the story revolves around Myma and her daughter, Daughter, who have lived in complete isolation for nearly sixteen years. Their life is intricately woven with the changing seasons, their routines, and rituals, which have kept them sheltered from the outside world. The daughter has never questioned the life her mother has chosen for them, until one day, a red-haired stranger, Wyn, steps into their isolated world, disrupting the balance that Myma has so carefully constructed.

The arrival of this outsider threatens to unravel the very fabric of their existence, forcing Myma to confront the depths of her fears, sacrifices, and the lengths she will go to to protect her daughter. As the story unfolds, it becomes clear that Myma's desire to shelter Daughter from the world is driven by a traumatic event in her past that she is desperately trying to shield her child from, but how long can one remain in isolation before the cracks begin to show?

Rowe Irvin's writing is truly remarkable—hauntingly beautiful and deeply immersive. Her descriptions of the forest, the routines of Myma and Daughter, and the shifting emotions that run through the story are vivid and poignant. The world-building is rich with folklore and nature influences, making you feel as though you are part of this secluded, fragile world. The way Rowe describes the smells, the dust, and the tactile sensations in the environment is so immersive that it almost feels as though you're physically present with the characters.

The narrative unfolds in a way that feels both immediate and reflective. Flashbacks enrich the present-day plot, gradually revealing the hidden history that shapes the characters' choices and the strained relationship between Myma and Daughter. The flashbacks and the present story come together in a beautifully executed way, where past and present meet at a pivotal moment, adding layers of complexity to the characters' motivations and decisions.

One of the most striking elements of the story is Daughter's naming process. Using a "Museum of Objects," she names herself according to the objects she collects, taking on their characteristics when needed. This unique way of identifying with the world around her is symbolic of her deep connection with nature and her desire to forge her own identity while remaining under the protection of her mother’s world.

At its core, Life Cycle of a Moth is a profound meditation on the lengths a mother will go to protect her child, even at the cost of her happiness or safety. It is a story about sacrifice, love, and the inevitable consequences of living in isolation. The tension between Myma’s need to protect her daughter and the world that is slowly encroaching upon them is palpable, and the emotional weight of the book stays with you long after you’ve turned the last page.

This book is an absolute triumph. Rowe Irvin’s debut is a haunting, beautiful tale of love, loss, and the complexities of motherhood, one that will linger with you long after the story ends. If you’re looking for a novel that combines deep emotional resonance with striking prose and a unique narrative, Life Cycle of a Moth is a must-read.

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This is definitely one I liked better when I could give some time to it. Immerse myself in the writing and the world of these two isolated characters.
I enjoyed reading about the current life they were leading, the rituals and order they put things in to survive.
When Wyn showed up, I wasn't as interested. I felt then, that I'd read this book before.

I'm sorry, this is a personal thing, but I really dislike this kind of fey language that makes up this book: 'Myma calls me Daughter but that is not always my name. What are you now, Daughter? she asks, and I tell her I am Stone or Vole or Twig or Finger or Worm. She laughs at my names and calls me Little Stone, Little Sniffler-Daughter, Crawly-Kin, Wriggle -on-the-Belly Daughter, Branching, Finger-Daughter'.

This is a book full of 'raggedness', of 'red howls', of cutesy 'This-and-Thats' and 'Keep-Safes'.

Underneath it all is a story I've read times before of a mother who traps her daughter in the name of safety, until the daughter grows up, meets a man/outsider and realizes her whole world is a make-believe created by a matriarchal figure. It's all quite straightforward and it's only the fey language that makes it seem strange and potentially interesting.

If the writing works for you then this could be a powerful folksy fable - for my personal taste, I found the prose indigestible.