I received this book for free from the Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Obstetrix by Naomi Kritzer Published by Tordotcom on June 9 2026
Genres: Adult, Thriller
Pages: 208
Format: ARC
Source: Publisher
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The nitty-gritty: Naomi Kritzer explores the perils of pregnancy and childbirth in Obstetrix, a tense, near future thriller with thoughtful themes.
I didn’t really know what to expect from Obstetrix, but I was pleasantly surprised! It’s hard to describe this book with just one genre label, but I guess I would call it a near-future thriller that focuses more on the characters than high stakes action. I love Naomi Kritzer’s no frills, matter of fact writing style, and the fact that this story takes place in a cult makes it even more appealing, at least to me. Kritzer also focuses on timely themes like abortion, body autonomy and women’s rights, making this a multilayered story that had me on the edge of my seat.
Dr. Elizabeth Gwinn is an obstetrician who was arrested for performing an illegal abortion in North Dakota, even though the circumstances warranted it. Luckily she was acquitted, but now she’s anxious to find a new job and has moved to Minnesota where obstetricians are more welcome. One interview request leads her to a house, of all places, but she figures she might as well check it out, especially since her rent is due soon.
Unfortunately for Liz, this wasn’t a good choice at all, as she finds herself drugged and kidnapped after the interviewer asks a few pointed questions about her experience. Liz wakes up in a vast compound called Harvest, with no idea where she is or why she’s been kidnapped. The ranch turns out to be a religious cult where young girls are forced to marry at the age of fourteen and start producing children. Liz has been brought here specifically to perform a C-section on a woman named Joy whose high risk pregnancy doesn’t allow natural childbirth, but without proper medical equipment and a clean operating room, Liz wonders if she can even perform a safe surgery.
As she reluctantly becomes part of this odd community, Liz is also quietly observing her surroundings, the people who live on the ranch, looking for any opportunities to escape. Surely her father will realize something’s happened when she doesn’t make her weekly phone call to him, but with no internet, cell phones or computers available, Liz is stuck unless she can come up with a plan.
The story is told from Liz’s first person point of view, and this is what really made the story work for me. Liz is a doctor, so you already know she’s very smart, and that intelligence shines through as she’s thrown into a terrible situation that most people will never have to experience. Rather than panic, she immediately goes into survival mode. She doesn’t appear to be in any immediate danger, although some of the men do carry guns around, so instead of outwardly showing fear, she keeps her feelings to herself and presents more of an indignant attitude to her captors. She’s able to calmly evaluate everything around her—does anyone have a cell phone? There are a couple of cars in the compound, where do they keep the keys? She’s told the cult sells handmade items on Etsy, so they must have internet. Where are the computers stashed?—and eventually gather enough information to take action. If I was ever kidnapped by a religious cult, I’d definitely want Liz to be there! Until then, she’s stuck with mandatory prayer meetings, led by cult leader Pastor John, terrible cafeteria food and a dawning sense of horror when she learns that those who disobey the rules are punished with beatings, even the children. Despite all of this, she has a wry sense of humor that made me love her even more.
Obstetrix isn’t a fast paced book, but it’s a riveting story that is very hard to put down once you’ve started. Kritzer creates a sense of tension right from the start. Not only is Liz a kidnap victim with no obvious way of escaping, but the women who become her patients are all at risk as well. Sarah, a midwife who takes Liz under her wing (and also watches her like a hawk!) refuses to send any of the high risk pregnancy cases to a real hospital, because of course they don’t want the authorities to find out about the cult. This adds a level of fear about the health of the women with risky pregnancies, and the C-section scene I mentioned earlier was very stressful!
But the story isn’t all nail-biting tension. Between these scenes are day-to-day interactions with pregnant women and young children and babies. Liz joins a sewing circle where her ability to stitch up perineal tears and close open wounds comes in very handy. She’s shocked that books aren’t allowed in the compound, and only school aged children are allowed to read them under supervision. Liz herself is an avid reader, and she misses her Kindle dearly. One of my favorite parts of the story is that Liz has a beloved book from childhood called The Onyx Dagger that she’s reread many, many times over the years, so often that she’s practically memorized it. During her ordeal at Harvest, she recalls certain passages and quotes from the book that help her get through the long days and give her a sense of hope.
I also loved the relationship between Liz and her father, a kind man with military experience who understands and loves his daughter and is her only lifeline to the outside world. The reader also gets to know several of the cult members, some of whom are also trying to escape, and I loved these personal connections that develop between Liz and the others.
The climax is exciting, and I loved the emotional way the story ended. I’ll definitely be reading more by Naomi Kritzer!
Big thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy.
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