Porcupines 🧡

By Fran Fabriczki.

Porcupines is a thoughtful and quietly powerful book that explores motherhood, identity, and the complicated bonds that hold families together, even when shaped by secrets.

Set across Budapest, Washington DC, and Los Angeles, the story follows Sonia, a fiercely independent single mother, and her daughter Mila. Their life feels unconventional but grounded in affection and resilience.

As Mila begins to question her father, the narrative gently unravels the carefully constructed world Sonia has built, revealing a past shaped by difficult choices and hidden truths.

The shifting timelines are handled beautifully. They add emotional depth without disrupting the flow of the story, allowing a clearer understanding of Sonia’s decisions and the weight she carries. It gives the book a layered feel that strengthens both character and narrative.

What stood out most for me was the relationship between Sonia and Mila. It feels honest in all its contradictions. Protective, frustrating, tender, and at times distant. Sonia is not always easy to like, but she feels completely real, especially in her need for control and her fear of what the truth might change. Mila brings a different energy, curious, perceptive, and quietly searching for answers, which adds warmth and balance to the story.

The writing is subtle and emotionally rich. It captures themes of displacement, belonging, and the courage it takes to rebuild a life. The settings are vivid but never overpower the characters, allowing the emotional core of the story to remain front and centre.

This is a reflective, character driven book that lingers long after the final page. I found it thoughtful, moving, and deeply human, and I would happily read more from this author.

Thank you to Kayla and the team at Penguin Fig Tree for sending such a wonderful book package! The book is out now and available to purchase!

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