The Woman Next Door

No one is more surprised than me how much I ended up enjoying this reading experience. I phrase it that way because considering the book's trajectory and themes, I'm not sure ‘enjoy' is the right word for the majority of the plot. These two women have in common having wasted too long in resentment and bitterness, becoming caustic as a result; having stayed in a certain role long past the time it served them; clinging to pride and design careers as a means of bringing control to a life that no longer feels in their control; having been shaped negatively by their parental figures; being deeply unsatisfied with how their attempts at motherhood have ended up. 
The contrast appears  in what they are just now acknowledging caused so much heartache to themselves and others over the years, admissions coming primarily in each other's company (not clearing the air in a marriage vs not being willing to acknowledge the work required to uproot deep racism). Having said that, the contrast between Marion refusing to see and Hortensia being unable to exist without being affected by racism does not play as large a role in the text as I initially would have thought. The flashbacks to earlier regrets are almost equal, with perhaps more emphasis on Hortensia. 
The ending doesn't feel desolate but quiet, there are reconciliations with the understanding that much time (and some people) have passed. Maybe not all can be made right, maybe not all is forgiven, nor should it be. But maybe there can be peace, companionship. Great writing.
If you survived Our Souls at Night, I think you might like this. 
⚠️racism, miscarriage