‘Bad Nature’ is an awesome take on the road trip novel. A woman in her 40s finds out she has terminal breast cancer, and sets out on her dying mission to kill her father. The novel engages in many of the typical narrative functions of a road trip novel – we meet a myriad of new characters that teach her a lesson, she sees faces of her past and there is a sense of being chased or compelled forward. Yet, all of these seemed to have a fresh approach in this context. The character is unlikeable and unpredictable in all the best ways that ultimately, while setting out to do something inconceivable to most people, made her seem very human.

I really enjoyed this book for its narrative structure, pacing and unique characters. I would recommend to those who enjoy a thriller style general fiction. 4.5 stars.

Thank you to #netgalley for this DRC of #badnature

The premise of the book was so interesting and unlike any other book I’ve previously read. It drew me in and intrigued me to a point where I couldn’t put it down! I’m not sure the FMC is actually likeable, but the road trip element with John kept me interested. I’m not sure how I feel about the ending. It’s not overly satisfying but maybe it is? A very bizarre but interesting book!

Bad Nature by Ariel Courage is incredibly well written, original, darkly funny and sad with an anti-heroine I felt for. One for fans of Miranda July, Rufi Thorpe, Ottessa Moshfegh, Sarah Thankam Mathews, Monica Heisey. Ariel Courage is definitely a writer I will now keep an eye on for any future reading.