There are many questions at the heart of She Isn’t Herself Tonight (2026). Are we the person others see us as, or the one we’ve defined in our head? What happens when those two images contrast? And, most importantly, which of those should we strive to be?
The author of She Isn’t Herself Tonight, Hailey Piper, tries to reach a definitive conclusion in this novel, a conclusion that is at once affirming but also a little concerning. Its nearly impossible to discuss without spoilers, but those seeking the answer will find that this story is well worth the time it takes to reach the conclusion.
A Not So Typical Alien Abduction
The main character, Rabbit, is abducted by aliens every 10 years. It’s the cusp of her 31st birthday and she worries they won’t be returning for her. That might sound strange, but this isn’t a typical alien abduction story. Rabbit is all but a social pariah, living with two roommates who seem to care more about not having an extra bedroom more than they care about the person living in it.
She is newly single, having been broken up with for being “too much work”. Her mother has more concern than care for her daughter. This alien abduction story is, ironically enough, a story of alienation and loss of self. Once she starts exhibiting strange symptoms she worries about their cause but, over time, starts to wonder if she’s more okay with the changes than she thought.
An Alien Life Based on Human Experience
Rabbit’s experience has largely shaped the way she lives her life which is very understandable. She’s carried a copy of “Strange Outsiders,” an alien-focused magazine that helped her affirm her experience, for 20 years. She talks often about these visitors, the “Guests”, to the people in her life, and it’s clear her audience has no interest in hearing about them anymore.
Rabbit feels unwanted so knowing that there is a group of sentient beings out there that would traverse the breadth of the universe just for her is strangely reassuring. It informs her deepest desires, something the novel explores, and paints the way she feels about the people in her life.
This is an incredibly vulnerable story. It can’t help but inform the reader about the author. Her foreword states:
For every girl full of love who poured it all into others before learning it will not be returned, and has spent her life since trying to feel full again.
— Hailey Piper
That sentiment runs a very clear line through the entirety of the book, which explores what it means to reclaim that love. That makes this a very potent story for readers that can sympathize with the author. Unfortunately, that same potency means that it can be difficult to enjoy for readers that don’t.
No story is written for everybody, and none should be. There is value in appealing to a certain demographic and She Isn’t Herself Tonight is a great example of how strong art can be when it prioritizes relating to certain experiences. In this case, it’s the experiences of the aforementioned “girl full of love”.
For readers not on the same wavelength, the questions it asks can sometimes be overshadowed by the questions they ask. How valid are the choices Rabbit makes? How much of a burden does the vessel of her love, Leo, carry for the water she chose to deposit? Is the method she eventually chooses to reclaim her love justifiable? Does she care about that? Should she?
Perspective Shapes the Narrative
The answers will vary reader to reader which, to the novel’s credit, can incite some very interesting conversations. Readers that sympathize with the character will discover, affirm, or question something about themselves. Readers that don’t can spend hours ruminating on the main character’s decisions and ideas. As a work of art, She Isn’t Herself Tonight is impeccable with a lot to say about its themes, the author’s feelings, and can even be revealing for people that don’t like it. That said, it struggles a little as a piece of writing.
The characterization can be inconsistent. That’s clearly on purpose some times but others, the intention is a little unclear. The plot is interesting and the prose competent but the introductory chapters aren’t as compelling as the ones that follow them. The dialog is equal parts serviceable and unrealistic. A higher word count could amend some of these issues, but it is just as likely to exacerbate them. Make no mistake though, this book is easy to recommend.
An Fantastic Book by Haily Piper
This is a fantastic book because of the conversations it can incite than the words within its pages. Women that feel burdened by patriarchal values and expectations will likely find a lot to enjoy here. Men that don’t understand those expectations, or may not even be aware of them, might pick up some valuable insight. If you, as a reader, are not looking for a vulnerable piece of writing that explores the author’s beliefs and can help explore your own, this story may not resonate. Otherwise, She Isn’t Herself Tonight is definitely something to put on your TBR when it releases on October 27th.