In Oona Out of Order, Oona lives “her life like an M.C. Escher drawing, years like staircases turning in on themselves to form a tangible but implausible whole.”
Beginning on her nineteenth birthday New Year’s Day in 1982, Oona jumps forward or backwards on her own life’s timeline. For example when she jumps from 18 to 51, her body aches and her wrinkles surprise her when she looks into the mirror. Despite leaving letters to her future self, Oona leaves both the best and worst moments as surprises for herself each year. Only two other people know about her affliction-her mom and Kenzie, her assistant.
I adore this heartfelt tale of a woman forced to live her life one moment at a time. Oona Out of Order has humor, pathos, and human frailties aplenty. It is highly recommended for literary and women’s fiction readers. 5 stars!
Thanks to Flatiron Books and NetGalley for a copy in exchange for my honest review.