Meg Howrey’s latest novel, "Body Language," explores the complexities of family, aging, and autonomy through the story of three sisters confronting their mother’s decline due to Alzheimer’s disease. Set primarily in Indiana, the narrative follows Nanette, Sloane, and Laurel as they navigate the emotional and practical challenges surrounding their mother Barbara’s wish to end her life on her own terms.

Nanette, the youngest sibling and a 35-year-old Episcopal nun in training based in Chicago, experiences a pivotal moment at a gun range where she interprets a divine message urging her to assist her mother in dying. Barbara has long feared succumbing to the same dementia that afflicted her own mother and sister, prompting her to prepare a plan to maintain control over her final days. The novel centers on whether her daughters will support her decision.

Upon returning to their mother’s home, the sisters discover Barbara’s condition is more advanced than anticipated. Until this point, Barbara’s primary caregiver has been her close friend Roberta, who recently moved in after losing her own house. However, Roberta abruptly leaves in Barbara’s car as soon as the sisters arrive, further complicating the family’s situation.

Each sister brings her individual struggles and personality to the unfolding crisis. Sloane, the eldest, works as a therapist and somatic healer in Los Angeles after a previous acting career that included roles on popular television series. She grapples with concerns about the commercialization of menopause, a topic that also deeply affects Laurel, the middle sister, who is balancing a marriage, motherhood, and suspicions of her husband’s infidelity. Meanwhile, Nanette’s neurodivergence and spiritual search provide a contrasting perspective throughout the story.

Howrey skillfully blends moments of humor and absurdity with a candid portrayal of familial tensions and grief. The sisters’ interactions reflect layers of frustration, denial, and love, highlighting the unpredictable nature of caregiving and end-of-life decisions. Male figures in the novel are portrayed with limited agency, such as the daughters’ father who left their mother for a younger woman, and Laurel’s husband, whose attempts at support often fall flat.

"Body Language" also touches on themes of female identity and connection, using creative narrative devices such as hormonal shifts and moments of introspection triggered by everyday occurrences. The novel’s treatment of difficult subjects, including assisted suicide, is framed with nuance and empathy, avoiding easy resolutions.

This work marks a tonal shift for Howrey compared to her previous novel, focusing less on intense emotional development and more on the quiet, sometimes chaotic interactions of family members confronting mortality. Through its vivid characters and candid exploration of aging, memory, and faith, "Body Language" offers a poignant and often wry reflection on life’s final stages and the bonds that persist through hardship.