Melissa Broder’s fiction continues to capture the imagination of thousands of people. The author of two previous novels, The Pisces and Milk Fed, Broder’s third novel has been highly anticipated. Broder’s imaginative narratives and her deep understanding of the human psyche create captivating stories that continue to excite audiences.  

Death Valley follows the narrator deep into the Californian desert and even deeper into her mind. The narrator escapes to a rundown hotel in the middle of nowhere as she feels suffocated by her husband’s worsening illness and her father’s poor health in the hospital. She disappears in order to work, but instead finds herself enchanted by a gain cactus on her daily hike. As the narrator continues to avoid her responsibilities, she finds herself seeking out the safety of the cactus more and more.  

When she asks the hotel staff about the cactus, the only response she gets is one of confusion. What follows is her desperate attempt at survival stranded in Death Valley and her journey through grief and acceptance.  

Broder has once again created a marvelous story that is sure to amaze its readers. Her storytelling skills are unmatched as she continues to create dynamic main characters. I highly recommend Death Valley and all of Broder’s books. They are deeply moving, darkly hilarious, and a great way to take a break from all that is happening in the world. 

Aubrey Roemmich is a Dakota Student Section Editor. She can be reached at [email protected].