The Unworthy by Augustina Bazterrica is brought to life by an unnamed narrator who utilizes ink, dirt, and at times, even her own blood, to document events unfolding within the House of the Sacred Sisterhood. A convent that paints itself as a sanctuary from a world ravaged by mankind and nature alike.
Although I won’t be giving specific details in this review, at the risk of very mild spoilers, I feel a responsibility to mention to anyone interested in reading the book for themselves, that The Unworthy does contain depictions of violence and sexual assault.
The House of the Sacred Sisterhood has a tiered hierarchy. Servants at the bottom, followed by The Unworthy. Servants can never ascend because they are contaminated by the outside world. Unworthy however, can become a part of The Chosen. Further more, by obtaining purity through a variety of (often cruel) sacrifices, maybe, just maybe, an unworthy can become Enlightened. The second highest plateau of the entire system. The first being the immovable position of a sole patriarch who oversees the entire sisterhood. An ominous figurehead known only as he.
The books narrative is slight and has a page count of 175. It centers around the introduction of a new member to the House, a woman named Lucia. A woman unlike any other in the sisterhood. But what The Unworthy lacks in dramatic twists and plot shifts, it more than makes up for in world building and Bazterrica’s descriptive power. Whether it’s the callus atmosphere within the convent walls, memories of a dying planet, the power of nature, or the excitement that comes with the irresistible force of genuine human connection, from top to bottom, The Unworthy is rife with bold and evocative writing that will both challenge and reward readers.
Although it obviously won't be to everyones taste, I'm certain anyone who ventures into the House of the Sacred Sisterhood will find it to be a pointed and poignant experience.
