Carrying Book Review and Summary
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Isabella Moore - 22 Aug, 2026 12:19
Author: Samantha Josephs
Page Count: Unknown
Publication Date: Expected publication 2026-10-06 APL
The summer air is heavy with anticipation, and as I struggle to focus on the task at hand, my mind keeps drifting back to the latest literary sensation: Carrying by Samantha Josephs. This electrifying horror debut has been making waves, and I’m both intrigued and terrified to dive in. The premise is deceptively simple: Martha, a stealth trans woman, has built a picture-perfect life, only to find herself facing an impossible pregnancy. But, of course, it’s not that simple.
What draws me to Carrying is the promise of a nuanced exploration of identity, motherhood, and the blurring of lines between reality and horror. Josephs’ use of the word “stealth” to describe Martha’s trans status already raises red flags - what does it mean to be “stealth” in a world where visibility is often the only currency that matters? Is Martha’s secrecy a form of self-preservation or a manifestation of internalized shame? The more I think about it, the more I realize that Carrying might be less about the supernatural elements and more about the horror of being trapped in a life that’s not entirely yours.
But what’s with the vagueness of the synopsis? We’re told that Martha’s body is changing rapidly, that she’s struggling to maintain her life, but what does that really mean? Is she experiencing some kind of grotesque physical transformation? Is she losing her grip on reality? The lack of concrete details is both frustrating and tantalizing - it’s like being teased with a whispered secret that you’re not quite privy to. Yet.
Literally.
I find myself drawing parallels between Carrying and the works of Carmen Maria Machado, whose Her Body and Other Parties is a masterclass in blending the surreal with the deeply personal. Both authors seem to be exploring the idea that the body is a site of trauma, a vessel that can be both a source of power and a prison. But while Machado’s work is often more overtly experimental, Josephs’ approach seems more subtle, more insidious. It’s like she’s sneaking up on you, whispering terrible truths in your ear when you’re not looking.
And then, of course, there’s the question of motherhood. What does it mean to be a mother when your own identity is already a performance? Is Martha’s pregnancy a symbol of her own creation, a manifestation of her deepest desires, or is it a monstrous imposition, a reminder that her body is not entirely her own? The more I think about it, the more I realize that Carrying might be less about the supernatural and more about the horror of being a woman in a world that’s constantly trying to control your body.
But I’m getting ahead of myself. The baby monitor just illuminated with terrifying activity. #horror #translit #newrelease
