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Fallow
Author: Sarah AndersonPage Count: UnknownPublication Date: Expected publication 2026-09-15 APL As I sit here, sipping my iced coffee and pondering the official synopsis of Fallow, I find myself wondering — what does it mean to be a woman in a world where her body is seen as a commodity? The story of Natalie, a young woman who signs up to be the world's first in-house corporate surrogate, raises so many questions about female agency, autonomy, and the exploitation of women's bodies. But, and this is a big but, the synopsis leaves me with more questions than answers — what exactly does this "social experiment" entail? How does Natalie's role as a surrogate intersect with the broader themes of capitalism and gender equity? The Body as a Site of Resistance Natalie's decision to become a surrogate is, on the surface, a pragmatic one — she needs the money, and this seems like a way to gain some semblance of financial security. Yet, as I read through the synopsis, I couldn't help but think of other authors who have explored similar themes — Margaret Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale, for example, or Lauren Beukes's The Shining Girls. These authors have shown us, time and time again, that a woman's body is often seen as a site of control, a way for patriarchal societies to exert power over women's lives. But what happens when women resist this control, when they take agency over their own bodies and use them in ways that subvert societal expectations? And, of course, there's the issue of capitalism — how does the fact that Natalie is being paid to carry these babies complicate our understanding of her agency? Is she truly making a choice, or is she being coerced by the promise of financial stability? These are the kinds of questions that I hope Fallow will explore in more depth, that it will delve into the complexities of a system that values profit over people. But, I must say, the synopsis is frustratingly vague on these points — what exactly does the "staffing decision" that upends Natalie's life entail? How does this decision affect her relationship with the company, and with herself? The Performance of Femininity As I think about Natalie's character, I'm reminded of the ways in which women are often expected to perform certain roles, to conform to certain expectations of femininity. The fact that Natalie is able to find a sense of freedom and purpose in her role as a surrogate is, on the one hand, a powerful commentary on the ways in which women can find agency in unexpected places. But, on the other hand, it also raises questions about the ways in which women are socialized to prioritize others' needs over their own — is Natalie truly happy, or is she simply fulfilling a role that has been prescribed for her? These are the kinds of questions that I hope Fallow will explore, that it will examine the ways in which women are expected to perform certain roles, and the ways in which they can resist or subvert these expectations. But, despite my many questions and reservations, I have to say that I'm excited to read Fallow — it's a book that promises to explore some of the most pressing issues of our time, from the exploitation of women's bodies to the perils of late-stage capitalism. And, if Sarah Anderson is able to pull it off, to create a narrative that is both nuanced and thought-provoking, then Fallow could be a truly groundbreaking work. Yet, only time will tell — and, for now, I'm left to ponder the many questions that the synopsis has raised. Ugh, and now I've spilled iced coffee all over my tote bag #feministliterature #corporatesurrogacy #womeninliterature