Well, buckle up, BrambleBelle readers, because Miranda July’s latest novel “All Fours” might just make you pull over your metaphorical minivan of sanity and check into the literary equivalent of a roadside motel of the bizarre and introspective.
At its heart, “All Fours” is a road trip—but not your Pinterest-perfect, Instagrammable journey across America. Oh no, it’s more like taking a detour down a rabbit hole where the GPS is permanently set to “re-calculating.” The novel follows a semi-famous artist who, thirty minutes into a cross-country family trip from Los Angeles to New York, takes a spontaneous exit not just from the freeway but seemingly from her life. She checks into a nondescript motel and dives into a world of self-exploration that is as confounding as it is enlightening.
Miranda July, known for her unique blend of sharp wit and tender narrative, serves up a story that’s peppered with her signature style of offbeat humor and raw human emotions. The protagonist’s unexpected motel detour isn’t just a physical divergence; it’s a deep dive into the psyche of a woman questioning the scripted life she’s been living. This isn’t just a story about a woman on a trip; it’s about a woman tripping through the existential crises that sometimes hit us when we least expect them—like in the middle of Tuesday afternoon traffic.
Now, why should a homesteader, wanderluster, or book-loving BrambleBelle care about this quirky odyssey? Because at its core, this novel explores themes that resonate deeply with anyone who’s ever felt the urge to break free from routine, to question the neatly rowed plantings of their life’s garden. It’s about the messiness of human existence, the search for authenticity, and the beauty of embracing the unexpected turns.
July’s narrative might make you laugh, cringe, and possibly nod in reluctant recognition of the protagonist’s inner turmoil and revelations. You’ll find yourself rooting for her, all while reflecting on your own life’s journeys and the roads not yet taken.
In conclusion, if “All Fours” were a homesteading task, it would be akin to trying to herd chickens after dusk—frustrating, a little wild, but undeniably a part of the adventure. So, if you’re looking for a read that’s as engaging as it is thought-provoking, give this book a whirl. It might just inspire you to take your own off-ramp to self-discovery—or at least to enjoy the scenic route more often.
Yours Truly
BrambleBelle