The Opposite of Fate by Alison McGhee (#16 in 2020)
Thank you to @houghtonmifflinhaecourt for my advanced copy of this new release!
Mallie Williams, 21 years young, wakes from a coma to uncover painful realization of what put her there-- a violent battery and rape. Mallie's family dynamic has changed considerably since her accident, and both the media and her community have become invested in the story around her recovery. Most of the media frenzy is a result of the sexual assault that left her pregnant, unable to communicate her desires for how to handle the unwanted pregnancy. Various individuals and institutions thought they knew what was best for Mallie, choices were made on her behalf, and Mallie now has to come to terms with the decisions she had no part in making.
The Opposite of Fate may have been a fictional work, but the subject matter is a very real conversation. Mallie's situation touched on some serious social issues involving abortion, a woman's right to choose, and patient rights. While abortion seems to be the main topic in this story, readers also get a chance to follow along as Mallie struggles to come to terms with all of the lifestyle and familial changes that took place while she was comatose. Mallie may have only been unconscious for one year, but her feelings of having missed out echo those of Rip Van Winkle as both of those characters missed some very pivotal moments.
Mallie's challenges don't just come from readjusting to life and reacquainting herself with her friends and family, they also come in the form of Mallie being forced to accept the consequences for the choices that she wasn't able to make. 3 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️
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