Anna Montague’s debut novel, How Does That Make You Feel, Magda Eklund?, is a delightful and poignant exploration of love, loss, and the unexpected turns life can take. The story follows Magda Eklund. She is a retired psychiatrist in her 70s. She embarks on a road trip across America, carrying the ashes of her late best friend, Sara.
What initially strikes the reader is Magda’s endearingly quirky personality. She is a woman of routine and a creature of habit. Yet, she finds herself thrust into a whirlwind of unplanned adventures. The contrast between her cautious nature and her impulsive actions creates a humorous and heartwarming dynamic.
As Magda travels, she encounters a colorful cast of characters, each one adding a unique layer to the narrative. She meets a free-spirited artist. She also meets a group of eccentric women at a spiritual retreat. These encounters challenge Magda’s preconceived notions. They push her out of her comfort zone.
One of the novel’s strengths is its exploration of grief and loss. Magda’s mourning for Sara is palpable, and her journey serves as a cathartic process. The author delicately balances the somber tone with moments of levity, creating a bittersweet and ultimately uplifting narrative.
The exploration of sexuality and identity is another significant theme in the book. Magda, a woman who has lived a conventional life, begins to question her own desires and longings. Her encounters with different people and experiences awaken a part of her that she thought had long been dormant. This exploration is handled with sensitivity and honesty, making it a refreshing and relatable aspect of the story.
While the novel’s pacing is somewhat leisurely, it allows the reader to fully immerse themselves in Magda’s world. The author’s vivid descriptions of the American landscape and the characters’ idiosyncrasies create a rich and immersive reading experience.
A Debut Exploring the Therapist’s Couch
Anna Montague’s debut novel, How Does That Make You Feel, Magda Eklund?, marks a clever and insightful entry into contemporary fiction. The novel turns the traditional therapeutic narrative on its head by focusing not on the patient, but on the therapist herself. The story follows the titular Magda Eklund, a seasoned therapist whose own carefully controlled life begins to unravel, forcing her to confront the boundaries between professional detachment and personal connection.
A Mirror to Modern Anxieties
The novel’s brilliance lies in its premise, using the therapist’s office as a microcosm for modern anxieties. Through Magda’s sessions with her patients, Montague explores universal themes of grief, identity, and the search for meaning. However, the central conflict emerges as Magda finds her own unresolved issues and emotional wounds being mirrored in the stories of her clients. This blurring of lines challenges her professional facade and compels her to examine her own life with the same scrutiny she applies to others.
Praised for its wit, emotional depth, and sharp observations, Montague’s work has been compared to authors like Gail Honeyman and Stephen McCauley. How Does That Make You Feel, Magda Eklund? is more than a story about a therapist; it is a poignant and relatable exploration of the human condition, asking whether anyone truly has their life figured out. It announces Anna Montague as a compelling new voice in literary fiction.
In conclusion, How Does That Make You Feel, Magda Eklund? is a heartwarming novel. It is thought-provoking and celebrates the power of human connection. It highlights the importance of embracing life’s unexpected twists and turns. It’s a story about love, loss, and the courage to embrace one’s true self, no matter one’s age. This book will delight road trip novel enthusiasts. It will also inspire fans of coming-of-age stories. If you simply enjoy a good read, this book is sure to please.
