A novel that captures the mind-bending early weeks of parenthood

(by Audrey Wollen)

The plot of Kate Briggs's début novel, "The Long Form," is deceptively bare: Helen and her baby, Rose, live through a day together. They have, so far, lived through almost six weeks' worth of days, spent in constant closeness.

But the definition of a "day" begins to fall apart. In the morning, a book arrives at Helen's doorstep: "The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling," by Henry Fielding, published in 1749. The tome accompanies Helen and Rose through their day, between cries, bounces, park walks, lots of looking, some panicking, dozing, and a number of cups of tea. The book is laid down and picked up again, a world entered and departed – like another kind of baby, without the mortal risk. Briggs interfolds two activities that upturn the weight of standardized time: novel reading and baby care.

"The Long Form" is ultimately gripping, with all the satisfactions of more traditional narratives, albeit in unprecedented places.

Adapted from: https://www.instagram.com/p/CzRIzZNpOfH/. Access on: 10 nov. 2023.