I really wish that writers of this caliber would stop caving into viral fiction trends.

I was intrigued by the concept behind this and had heard good things about Baxter’s writing, but this one really never gets where it needs to go, bogged down by a need to treat with the trendy “body horror as art” motif in women’s fiction.

I didn’t find this quite as gross as some readers, and Baxter certainly has talent as a writer, but the “descent into madness” felt contrived and moved quickly away from the more interesting theme in play, which was related to the protagonist’s stalker and questions about how much ownership over you as a creator/public figure is reasonable and what happens to you, the human being, as a result.

I was sort of amused by the character being haunted by the ghost of Carolee Schneemann, though this misses the mark a bit about the deeper themes of Schneemann’s work.

Otessa Moshfegh comparisons are inevitable but not correct.

"Sometimes all your stress is like a nail bomb; it explodes and I have to absorb it all". This book was like a creative explosion and I continue to absorb it all! I loved Baxter's New Animal, and I think if you liked it you would like this too. I also think this book would be nice for readers of Carmen Maria Machado.

Woo Woo follows conceptual artist Sabine as she navigates a maelstrom of feelings and emotions prior to a major exhibition, all in the context of being stalked by a fan. It was a lovely tale of a women unraveling and finding herself. She's not particularly likeable, but that's a testament to Baxter's incredibly keen character study and presentation of Sabine.

I loved New Animal and was so excited to read this. It took me awhile to begin to enjoy it. I'm glad I stuck with it tho. This novel is funny and weird. It an enjoyable read.

Hello to everybody who loves women vs the void! This was wild and delulu and everything that I love in books about women descending into madness.

Woo Woo follows Sabine, a performance artist preparing for her upcoming exhibition while falling deeper into neuroses about her art, her husband, her friends, and a stalker. All while being inspired by the ghost of another artist who keeps visiting her!

I really enjoyed this. It's different than anything I've read recently, hilarious, absurd, and I think it has a lot to say about how we engage with art, people online, and ourselves.

Funny, weird, poignant, and fast paced, I really enjoyed WOO WOO. I had no idea what it was about before getting into it, and actually haven't read the author's first book, but I'm definitely a fan. I love stories about artists (or anyone lol) unraveling and generally being eccentric and weird, and this plot follows an artist who is having some.... interesting experiences with The Rembrandt Man. It reminds me of Death In Her Hands by Ottessa Moshfegh, All's Well by Mona Awad, and Big Swiss by Jen Beagin, but it really is uniquely its own. It's a short and exuberant read and if you're remotely interested, you should just try it. I also love the cover!!

This incredible novel must be read all female artists!
Woo Woo follows Sabine, just before her big photo exhibition. We meet her chef husband and learn about her muse Carolee Schneermann.

Sabine is angry, she is worried, she is anxious and afraid. Baxter has made a book that is so real, you feel you ARE Sabine. All the feelings tied up with art, with making, with birthing anything in the world!

There are puppets, there is marriage philosophizing and there is plenty of art. This is a novel like no other and I bow down to it!
#catapult #counterpoint #softskullpress #woowoo #ellabaxter

I tore through WOO WOO in a day. The story of an artist unfurling the weeks before her big show, it's also the story of a woman being stalked. Baxter deftly tackles the art world and social media while balancing the heavy feelings of survival/trauma conjured in the MC when confronted with her stalker. Hilarious and moving at once, I look forward to seeing what Baxter does next.

Thanks to the publisher for the e-galley!

I have to be honest; I was really disappointed with Woo Woo. I had such an emotional response to Baxter's first novel, New Animal, that I literally talked about it to anyone who would listen for months and made countless videos about it.

However, I couldn't get into the story with Woo Woo and found myself only finishing the book because it was from NetGalley (which I'm grateful for; thank you, Catapult). My expectations were too high, which might have partially ruined it. I understand that Sabine's character is meant to be extremely shallow and obtuse due to her artistic personality and talents, but because her character was so one-dimensional, it just didn't resonate with me.

I know some people will love this book; however, it's not for me.

"Woo Woo" by Ella Baxter is a bold exploration of grief and the unconventional ways people cope with loss. Baxter's writing style is sharp and unapologetically raw, which suits the novel's darkly comedic undertones and deeper, more poignant moments. The protagonist's journey through various modern rituals and old-school remedies for heartache provides a fresh and edgy take on the theme of personal transformation.

The plot of "Woo Woo" is engaging, driven by its quirky characters and unexpected twists. However, the story sometimes struggles with pacing, swinging between intensely emotional scenes and slower, more introspective moments that might not interest every reader. Additionally, while the novel's bluntness and humor are refreshing, they occasionally overshadow the emotional depth, making some of the more serious revelations less impactful.

Overall, "Woo Woo" earns three stars for its originality and fearless approach to a sensitive topic. While its unique style and pacing might not resonate with everyone, it's a commendable debut for readers looking for something different in contemporary fiction.

A fun, delirious romp through an artist's inner world and outer madness. So funny, so strange, so delightful!