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This book gives anxious serial killer vibes.

We follow the story of Hadoula, an old woman living in a poor community in the Aegean island of Skiathos with her family. In her age she reflects on the struggle of being a woman, as she herself is the community herbalist where women come to her with their woes.

While helping her daughter with her child she contemplates what life is really like to be a woman and has an epiphany, she can end the suffering before it begins. Acting as a twisted pseudo-vigilante she aims to “help” these girls by ending their suffering before it begins by taking matters into her own hands–literally.

Although a heavy short novella, I couldn’t help but keep reading as I was invited more and more into the twisted mind of Hadoula. I attribute this to the beautiful writing of Papadiamantis, I recommend this read for the writing alone.
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