Human Blues

Human Blues

  • Downloads:1832
  • Type:Epub+TxT+PDF+Mobi
  • Create Date:2022-07-14 18:21:48
  • Update Date:2025-09-06
  • Status:finish
  • Author:Elisa Albert
  • ISBN:1982167866
  • Environment:PC/Android/iPhone/iPad/Kindle

Summary

“[An] explosively hip, funny and heartfelt book…Takes off with magnificent speed and never lets up。” —The New York Times
“Riotous, visceral。” —Vanity Fair
“Fearless…with a rollicking rhythm that would make Carrie Brownstein proud。” —Chicago Review of Books

From an author whose writing has been praised as “blistering” (The New Yorker), “virtuosic” (The Washington Post), and “brilliant” (The New York Times) comes a provocative and entertaining novel about a woman who desperately wants a child but struggles to accept the use of assisted reproductive technology—a hilarious and ferocious send-up of feminism, fame, art, commerce, and autonomy。

On the eve of her fourth album, singer-songwriter Aviva Rosner is plagued by infertility。 The twist: as much as Aviva wants a child, she is wary of technological conception, and has poured her ambivalence into her music。 As the album makes its way in the world, the shock of the response from fans and critics is at first exciting—and then invasive and strange。 Aviva never wanted to be famous, or did she? Meanwhile, her evolving obsession with another iconic musician, gone too soon, might just help her make sense of things。

Told over the course of nine menstrual cycles, Human Blues is a bold, brainy, darkly funny, utterly original interrogation of our cultural obsession with childbearing。 It’s also the story of one fearless woman at the crossroads, ruthlessly questioning what she wants and what she’s willing—or not willing—to do to get it。

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Reviews

Ashley Hall

4。5, rounded up for goodreads。Human Blues follows Aviva, an Amy Winehouse-esque musician who is struggling to conceive a baby naturally。 After dropping her fourth album, Womb Service is released, her story is told over the course of nine menstrual cycles - her struggles with infertility, the fights with her own inner demons and the unusual way she handles being semi-famous。Aviva’s quick witted sarcasm and views on what she claims is “unnatural” conception may turn you off from the character, but 4。5, rounded up for goodreads。Human Blues follows Aviva, an Amy Winehouse-esque musician who is struggling to conceive a baby naturally。 After dropping her fourth album, Womb Service is released, her story is told over the course of nine menstrual cycles - her struggles with infertility, the fights with her own inner demons and the unusual way she handles being semi-famous。Aviva’s quick witted sarcasm and views on what she claims is “unnatural” conception may turn you off from the character, but I absolutely loved her。 An unreliable narrative from the beginning, her stories (true or not) will reach into your chest and clench your heart, disgust you and make you feel a connection to the character you wouldn’t expect。 I will absolutely be revisiting this book in the future。And of course, I listened to Amy throughout reading this entire book。 。。。more

Johnette

There’s a story in this book, a good one, but I had to find it amongst the extraneous verbiage。

Derek Moore

This is a story about Aviva Rosner who desperately wants a child。 She is a very successful singer, songwriter who is obsessed with having a child。 There is nothing she will do except to use artificial reproductive technology。 This story is told over 9 menstrual cycles。 It wasn't an easy read for me。 Thank you for the opportunity of receiving this book。 I have already passed it on。 This is a story about Aviva Rosner who desperately wants a child。 She is a very successful singer, songwriter who is obsessed with having a child。 There is nothing she will do except to use artificial reproductive technology。 This story is told over 9 menstrual cycles。 It wasn't an easy read for me。 Thank you for the opportunity of receiving this book。 I have already passed it on。 。。。more

mostlybookstuff

#HUMANBLUES by #elisaalbert is a searing, stream of consciousness that is not so much a stream but a pummeling internal whirlpool between the desire for a baby but the disinclination to artificially inseminate。 Sensitive subjects are tackled stupendously, with each chapter encompassing a complete menstrual cycle。 For an artist about to drop her biggest album yet (the aptly titled WOMB SERVICE), Aviva is nevertheless firmly old school。 She will not consider IVF, despite the frequent visits to fer #HUMANBLUES by #elisaalbert is a searing, stream of consciousness that is not so much a stream but a pummeling internal whirlpool between the desire for a baby but the disinclination to artificially inseminate。 Sensitive subjects are tackled stupendously, with each chapter encompassing a complete menstrual cycle。 For an artist about to drop her biggest album yet (the aptly titled WOMB SERVICE), Aviva is nevertheless firmly old school。 She will not consider IVF, despite the frequent visits to fertility specialists, an acupuncturist, a sex therapist and an exceptional Rabbi。 For Aviva is also wary of doctors and a whole industry seemingly dedicated to treat symptoms and ignore the cause。 She herself had irregular periods and was merely prescribed the pill。 She watched her brother suffer more from the cancer treatment than the actual cancer。 We’re being sold on all these things we must do, but it does more harm than good。 It’s not a criticism of the medical profession, but a plea for better care and study of our bodies, in particular our female bodies。 Aviva wants a baby, but she is not TRYING for a baby。 Babies should just happen。 And it might not happen, which is fine。 Aviva recognizes her privilege, how simple it is to want a baby and get that baby, but in this era of instant gratification, maybe wanting the WANT is better in the long run。 Aviva tells it like it is, and I like listening to her。 Through it all, she enlists the steady comfort of Amy Winehouse。 For all her artistry and accomplishments, she died too young to leave behind any children。 And yet! Life is one long waiting game while we’re in it。 To wait can ultimately mean to heal。Many thanks to #avidreaderpress for the #goodreads giveaway win。 #HUMANBLUES is available TODAY。 Happy #pubday to this hilarious and thought-provoking commentary on fertility and modern womanhood。 。。。more

Jena B

I had no idea what to expect going in, but I really enjoyed Human Blues。 It was interesting, snarky, and creative commentary on issues that many women face: infertility and the societal expectation to have children。Thank you Avid Reader Press for my copy。

Sarah

A wild and hilarious novel about the music world, fertility and the way women are caught between a callous medical establishment and the world of woo—totally delightful and nuts in the best way。

Sherry Brown

Captivating! Page turner from beginning to end!!The book cover alone would get your attention。 Very eye catching!

Leslie

LitHub

Vera

Won in Goodreads giveaway - Avid Reader Press thank you!I did not know what to expect when picking up this book, because what initially drew me was the gorgeous cover。 It did not disappoint。 Aviva was so fresh。 Did I always like her as a person? No。 Luckily, the book provides the opportunity to truly understand her and make sense of her eccentricity。 The reading experience is fully immersive into Aviva's feelings, thought process, and reality。 The discussions of womanhood, fertility, and bodily Won in Goodreads giveaway - Avid Reader Press thank you!I did not know what to expect when picking up this book, because what initially drew me was the gorgeous cover。 It did not disappoint。 Aviva was so fresh。 Did I always like her as a person? No。 Luckily, the book provides the opportunity to truly understand her and make sense of her eccentricity。 The reading experience is fully immersive into Aviva's feelings, thought process, and reality。 The discussions of womanhood, fertility, and bodily autonomy are so raw and relevant。 Great characters, writing style, and themes。 Will check out more work by this author。 。。。more

Elizabeth

I wanted to start this review with the phrase “a lot can happen in nine months,” but Aviva would think that was hackneyed and dismiss me with a sneer。 But a lot does happen in the novel’s nine month trip—just not the baby that almost famous singer-songwriter Aviva Rosner desperately wants。 And while conception (just not IVF, which she’s very vocally opposed to) tries to take center stage in this story, Aviva’s career, religion, marriage, and obsession with Amy Winehouse are also along for the ri I wanted to start this review with the phrase “a lot can happen in nine months,” but Aviva would think that was hackneyed and dismiss me with a sneer。 But a lot does happen in the novel’s nine month trip—just not the baby that almost famous singer-songwriter Aviva Rosner desperately wants。 And while conception (just not IVF, which she’s very vocally opposed to) tries to take center stage in this story, Aviva’s career, religion, marriage, and obsession with Amy Winehouse are also along for the ride (and it’s a wild ride)! 。。。more

Brittany Murhammer

Written in a way that makes reading 400 pages go quick and not feel like 400 pages。 An interesting perspective from a singer/songwriter on being infertile/barren and all the emotional space that takes up for her, all while going on with life and living her true self。 Would recommend even if you have no desire to have children, like me。 I received an ARC of this novel from GoodReads and Avid Reader Press。

Diane Bateman

I liked how well this book was written 。 I thought it was wildly entertaining and kept me interested in the book 。 I like how it was written with woman views in hand 。

Kate

A magnetic and entertaining deep dive into creativity, art, feminism, fertility, and fame!First of all THIS COVER! I was immediately drawn in! I love how more novels are being published surrounding fertility and women's choices towards childrearing。 We need these books! Albert's tells us Aviva's story through nine menstrual cycles which I thought was sheer brilliance! I loved the commentary in this book, it was bold and fun! And Aviva's eccentric character was just the kind of female characters A magnetic and entertaining deep dive into creativity, art, feminism, fertility, and fame!First of all THIS COVER! I was immediately drawn in! I love how more novels are being published surrounding fertility and women's choices towards childrearing。 We need these books! Albert's tells us Aviva's story through nine menstrual cycles which I thought was sheer brilliance! I loved the commentary in this book, it was bold and fun! And Aviva's eccentric character was just the kind of female characters I enjoy。 This beauty is out July 5th! Thank you @avidreaderpress for sending me this #arc。 For more of my book content check out instagram。com/bookalong 。。。more

Jill Hinners

To rate this book, I need a row of 5 stars erratically flashing with a different number of stars from second to second。 This was a chaotic reading experience for me — and judging from reviews of Elisa Albert’s prior books, which I haven’t read, I could have expected as much。 The fact that I fluctuated so wildly between loving and barely tolerating the main character (Aviva), her voice, attitude and obsessions (conception and Amy Winehouse) does seem apt, considering that she also seemed to feel To rate this book, I need a row of 5 stars erratically flashing with a different number of stars from second to second。 This was a chaotic reading experience for me — and judging from reviews of Elisa Albert’s prior books, which I haven’t read, I could have expected as much。 The fact that I fluctuated so wildly between loving and barely tolerating the main character (Aviva), her voice, attitude and obsessions (conception and Amy Winehouse) does seem apt, considering that she also seemed to feel that way about pretty much everything in her own life — except maybe her musical gifts and her perfect, somehow-willing-to-stand-her husband, Sam, whom she loves unconditionally throughout。 His character was rendered with the nuances of a stick figure compared to pretty much anyone else in the novel。 Overall, I’m glad I kept reading Aviva’s story to the last page; it wrapped up in a satisfying place。 Also, had I left it unfinished, I would have missed a lot of great, cutting lines, passages and commentary nestled among the tedium (e。g。, the snapshots of Aviva’s social media feeds — although I understood the point of including them。) My mother once told me that that she “did not approve” of fertility treatments, but she would not elaborate on her why’s。 If you would like to spend nearly 400 pages on a roller coaster with a woman who feels the same way as my mother and is mostly shouting her why’s into your ear as she grapples with her desire and inability to conceive, this is the book for you。 Expect sparks of humor, intelligence and tenderness along the way。 。。。more

Izabela

3,5

Kaylie Patricia

I picked up this book because the cover art is gorgeous and makes me nostalgic for time spent studying other people’s tattoos—the colors, the symbols, the styles! I bought it because it’s about menstruating and motherhood, and I still think about a girl I fell for awhile ago who made me take myself and my body more seriously。 I read it in a week because the 9 cycles that create the novel’s structure reminded me that time goes on, and it’s up to me to choose what I let have meaning。 Beginnings? B I picked up this book because the cover art is gorgeous and makes me nostalgic for time spent studying other people’s tattoos—the colors, the symbols, the styles! I bought it because it’s about menstruating and motherhood, and I still think about a girl I fell for awhile ago who made me take myself and my body more seriously。 I read it in a week because the 9 cycles that create the novel’s structure reminded me that time goes on, and it’s up to me to choose what I let have meaning。 Beginnings? Bad dates? Shopping sprees? Interactions with strangers? Middles? The places we live? The places we visit? The times when we bleed? Read this book because the cover art is beautiful; read it because women’s bodies matter; read it because it’s March and life always feels wanting before spring really starts。 Read it because I loved it, and maybe you will, too。 。。。more

Jesse Hassinger

A delightful book to get lost in。 It may seem strange to say given the topics, but I couldn’t put it down and didn’t want it to end。 A cross between Russian Doll and The Marvelous Mrs。 Masel。 Natasha Lyonne should star in the series and Amy Sherman-Palladio should adapt it。 Brutal, honest, and delightful。

E

I just won this book through GoodReads - my first win! I am so excited to get it in the mail and am very interested in the overall plot of this novel as a woman。 I'm even more excited to be one of the first to read this new book! I just won this book through GoodReads - my first win! I am so excited to get it in the mail and am very interested in the overall plot of this novel as a woman。 I'm even more excited to be one of the first to read this new book! 。。。more