Sydney-based consultant Leila thought motherhood had passed her by, so when she matches online with James and falls pregnant at 37, she could not be happier. The high of her joy is matched by the low that consumes her when she miscarries the baby. In its early pages, The Farm gives an unflinching account of the experience many women go through silently while continuing to participate in their lives. Added to this, Leila needs surgery to remove ovarian cysts. Her recovery period drags on until she and James decide to relocate to his family farm in the remote reaches of NSW for a year-long sabbatical of recovery and creativity. Leila has always wanted to write a novel, and this seems like the opportune time. But not long after they reach the seemingly idyllic retreat, her dream turns into a nightmare.
With the opening pregnancy loss scenes, debut author Jessica Mansour-Nahra puts her reader on notice: she will not be shying away from difficult topics, whether that’s the visceral side of the human experience, or darker subjects of control and trauma in families.
As we follow Leila’s story, we learn her upbringing was marred by abuse. Her mother was cruel, even after she relied on Leila for care, as cancer consumed her. Isolated on the farm, Leila turns to Endone and Valium to get her through the days and nights. Her claustrophobic environment begins to warp and torment her. James leaves with the car each day, trapping her in the creaky old house.
Jessica’s writing sings when she is describing the landscape. The rugged Australian terrain is rendered beautifully, but its wild vastness torments Leila.
She sees faces, and happens upon strange, putrid smells. As Leila’s time on the farm continues, James seems to change. He is a psychologist who knows just what to say when she voices her fears. Or is he undermining them? He gets touchy when Leila noses around the property. She reads about the family history in the library and uncovers a confusing box in the shed, deepening the disquiet she feels in the house.
The scenes of Leila’s convalescence reflect the monotony of what it is to recover from a major health issue that rocks you mentally and physically. They are realistic, but some readers may find themselves willing the action to return. A key supporting character, Rusty the dog, brings some warmth and levity that offsets the rising tension.
The Farm is billed as a gothic mystery but it’s also an observant reflection on fertility and pregnancy loss, medical misogyny, childhood trauma and control. It is an arresting and unsettling read.
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