Meg Howrey’s novel "Body Language" explores themes of family, aging, and assisted dying through the story of three sisters confronting their mother’s decline from Alzheimer's disease. Set primarily in Indiana, the narrative centers on Barbara, a woman determined to end her life on her own terms as the disease overtakes her, and her daughters who grapple with their roles in her plan.
The youngest sister, Nanette, a 35-year-old Episcopal nun in training, experiences a spiritual revelation at a Chicago gun range, where she feels called by God to assist her mother’s death. Nanette’s return to Barbara’s home with her older sisters, Sloane and Laurel, brings tensions and unresolved conflicts to the surface.
Barbara’s condition has worsened beyond the sisters’ expectations. She has maintained her independence despite battling the disease, relying on her friend Roberta for care after Roberta’s house was destroyed by fire. However, Roberta abruptly leaves in Barbara’s car when the family arrives, adding difficulty to the situation.
Each sister faces her own challenges. Sloane, the eldest, is a Los Angeles-based therapist and somatic healer who reflects on the commercialization of menopause, questioning her role within it. Laurel, the middle sister, works at an environmental nonprofit in New Jersey and is troubled by personal issues, including suspicions of her husband’s infidelity uncovered just before the trip. These subplots highlight the sisters’ varied struggles with identity and relationships amid the family crisis.
Nanette’s distinctive personality and neurodivergence are also integral to the story, marked by small sensitivities and her unique perspective, which contrast with those of her elder siblings. A video of her praying at the gun range circulates online, reflecting her unusual path and the tensions within the family dynamic.
Barbara is portrayed as organized and resolute, even as Alzheimer’s erases her memories and recognition of those closest to her. The narrative captures moments where Barbara no longer recognizes the names of her grandchildren, underscoring the disease’s devastating impact.
"Body Language" delves into the complexities of sisterhood and caregiving through a lens of dark humor and emotional depth. The male characters, including the sisters’ father, who left their mother for a younger woman, and Laurel’s husband, who appears emotionally distant, serve largely as peripheral figures in the unfolding family drama.
Howrey’s novel is notable for its mix of humor and pathos, portraying the unpredictable realities of illness and love. Through the sisters’ interactions and personal journeys, the book examines how family bonds are tested and transformed in the face of mortality and moral uncertainty.