The Reading Bud

Book Details:

Author:  LaToya Jordan
Release Date: March 1, 2023
Series:
Genre: Speculative Fiction
Format: E-book 
Pages: 85 pages
Publisher: Aqueduct Press
Blurb:
Jada Morris was the fierce and resilient leader of a social movement against the theft of young women’s uteruses before she committed a violent crime. Now, in 2040, the 24-year-old is serving time at The Center for Future Leaders, an alternative to prison for young leaders who committed crimes as a response to gender-based violence. The Center supposedly provides training, education, therapy, and reduced sentences to the convicted in order to return them to their communities as leaders. But as Jada begins her therapy, she realizes all is not as it seems, and memory is thorny at best. Can she trust her android therapist and the terrifying path down which she’s taking her? And what will she find at the other end?
Jordan’s novella is a gripping and terrifying look at our reproductive future that sends shudders through our reproductive present.

Review

To the Woman in the Pink Hat by La Toya Jordan is a powerful and thought-provoking novella that delves deep into the complexities of reproductive justice and the consequences of gender-based violence. Set in a chillingly plausible future where young women’s uteruses are stolen, the story follows Jada Morris, a resilient leader fighting against this injustice, who finds herself imprisoned for a violent act. As she navigates her time at The Center for Future Leaders, an alternative to prison, Jada confronts the true nature of the institution and grapples with her own memories.

Jordan’s narrative grips you from the start, weaving together themes of social activism, trauma, and the manipulation of memory. Through Jada’s eyes, we’re taken on a journey that challenges our understanding of justice and humanity. The android therapist adds an intriguing layer to the story, blurring the lines between technology and empathy, leaving readers questioning the reliability of memory and the intentions of those in power.

The prose is sharp and evocative, pulling you into Jada’s world and keeping you on the edge of your seat until the very end. While the subject matter is undeniably heavy, Jordan handles it with sensitivity and nuance, offering moments of hope and resilience amidst the darkness. To the Woman in the Pink Hat is a must-read for anyone interested in exploring the intersections of social justice, technology, and the human experience.

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