Girl Dinner

Bestseller Blake (The Atlas Six) serves up a lightly satirical and somewhat drawn out feminist horror novel about the extreme toll that comes from trying to “have it all.” It follows Sloane, a sociology professor who’s returning to work after being home with her infant daughter for 18 months, and Nina, a sophomore at Sloane’s university who’s rushing the most sought-after sorority on campus, referred to only as the House. Sloane struggles with feeling as though she has abandoned her daughter and still doesn’t have enough time or brainpower to devote to her work, including her new position as faculty adviser to the House. Nina, meanwhile, yearns for the clout that comes from membership in the House, whose sisters are the most successful and beautiful girls on campus. There’s a lot of delicate buildup hinting at the House’s hidden darkness, but it takes a frustratingly long time to amount to anything. Instead, much of the book is taken up by philosophizing that covers what is essentially feminism 101—from the Madonna/whore dichotomy to the rise of tradwives—which may be enlightening to younger readers encountering these concepts for the first time, but to most will feel familiar and obvious. Fortunately, the bloody payoff, when it finally arrives, is well worth the wait. There’s nothing groundbreaking here, but Blake’s fans will find plenty to hold their attention. (Oct.)