On a chilly evening on Nov. 20, avid readers and aspiring writers gathered at The Loft for a special reading by Mona Awad, the celebrated author of novels “Bunny,” “13 Ways of Looking at a Fat Girl,” and “All’s Well.” I — like many in the audience — sat as close to the stage as possible, my copy of “Bunny” in hand, eagerly awaiting the evening ahead. During the hour-long event, Awad read an excerpt from her forthcoming book, which was followed by a Q&A session. Little did I know, this brief experience would turn out to be both highly transformative and insightful.
“Bunny” is one of Awad’s most acclaimed novels, winning numerous awards nationally, and there are talks of a possible film adaptation. The book takes place in a highly competitive writing program within the Ivy League-esque Warren University, where graduate students like Samantha Mackey dedicate their lives to their work. Samantha, a student who prefers her own company over others, has always been repulsed by the clique of prissy and pompous rich girls within her cohort who call themselves the Bunnies — until she is invited to join them. The story follows Samantha’s downward spiral as she learns of the Bunnies’ dark world behind their poofy dresses and delicate faces. “Bunny” is a bizarre and captivating novel that keeps readers hooked with its ever-evolving mysteries and peculiarities.
Awad began the reading by sharing an excerpt from her upcoming novel, a sequel to “Bunny” set to be released next year. Awad’s voice, soft yet haunting, perfectly complemented the excerpt’s unsettling tone, blending seduction, darkness, and humor. As a fan of “Bunny,” I can confidently say that this sequel will be a treat for the fans — full of the same strange, eerie qualities that readers have grown to expect from Awad’s works.
What I particularly admire about Awad’s writing is her use of musicality and repetition. She often reuses key phrases, as though gently but persistently drilling her points into the reader’s mind. Her lyrical, haunting prose blurs the line between reality and dreamlike abstraction, drawing readers into a haze where they wander through her words. Listening to her read, I felt exactly that: like I was falling down an endless rabbit hole, letting her words wash over me with no fear of what disaster might ensue.
After the excerpt, Awad delved into a discussion about her writing process, responding to questions from the audience. One topic that particularly stood out was the exploration of femininity in her work. Awad reflected on how hyper-feminized objects — makeup, dresses, and the like — can simultaneously feel freeing and like a prison for women. The external expression of femininity allows women to feel empowered, but it also invites societal judgment and limitations. This tension is vividly illustrated in “Bunny,” with the Bunnies’ beauty and youthful charm making them both alluring and vulnerable — patronized, underestimated, and often ridiculed for their apparent shallowness. It is a complex duality that many women relate to, and Awad’s works capture this conflict with a rare level of nuance.
The evening concluded with inspiring words from Awad; she offered thoughtful advice for aspiring writers, encouraging them to embrace the unknown and take risks in their own work. By the end of the reading, I found myself eagerly anticipating her next novel in hopes that it will leave me just as amazed, bewildered, and shocked as “Bunny” did. I left the event feeling inspired with new ideas for my own stories, her words lingering in my mind and my freshly-signed copy of “Bunny” in my arms.
