The Unravelling of Ou

by Hollay Ghadery

200 pages, Paperback

Expected publication February 15, 2026

About the author

Hollay Ghadery is a multi-genre writer living in Ontario on Anishinaabe land. She has her MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Guelph. Fuse, her memoir of mixed-race identity and mental health, was released by Guernica Editions in 2021 and won the 2023 Canadian Bookclub Award for Nonfiction/Memoir. Her collection of poetry, Rebellion Box was released by Radiant Press in 2023, and her collection of short fiction, Widow Fantasies, was released with Gordon Hill Press in fall 2024 and was longlisted for the Toronto Book Award. Her debut novel, The Unraveling of Ou, is due out with Palimpsest Press in 2026, and her children’s book, Being with the Birds, with Guernica Editions in 2027. Hollay is a host on The New Books Network, as well as a co-host on HOWL on CIUT 89.5 FM. She is also a book publicist, the Regional Chair of the League of Canadian Poets and a co-chair of the League’s BIPOC committee, as well as the Poet Laureate of Scugog Township. Learn more about Hollay at www.hollayghadery.com.

Reviews

[Kristina P (ARC Reviewer) · Rating 4 out of 5]

PUBLISH DATE: February 15, 2026

The cover of The Unravelling of Ou immediately caught my attention and made me want to know what the author had tucked away inside its pages. Once I started reading, it quickly became clear that this is a deeply personal and emotionally layered story.

This novel follows Minoo as she works through the unraveling of herself across different stages of her life. It explores how she learns to cope with trauma, sadness, disappointment, joy, and the complicated in between moments that shape who we become. At its heart, this is a coming-of-age story, but it’s also about identity, belonging, and what it means to wrestle with yourself while trying to move forward.

The writing is thoughtful and often beautifully introspective, with many moments that feel especially quotable and reflective. It’s the kind of book that invites you to slow down and sit with the emotions rather than rush through them.

Overall, I found this to be a well-written and meaningful read that stayed with me after I finished.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️


BOOK TITLE: The Unravelling of OU
AUTHOR: Hollay Ghadery
PUBLISHER: Palimpsest Press
FORMAT: e-book
PAGES: 200
I received a complimentary digital ARC [Advanced Reader copy] of this book via NetGalley. Thank you to Palimpsest Press Publishing and the author for the opportunity to read and review this title prior to publication. As always, the opinions expressed in this review are my own.

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve never read anything like this book before, and now all I want is more books like this. It is narrated by the socket puppet that acts as emotional support on the hand of an Iranian woman who immigrated to Canada as a teenager after having an unplanned teen pregnancy in Tehran. The sock puppet helps her cope with her trauma and the stresses of being an immigrant. The character development in this novel is immaculate. Even the sock puppet is a fully fleshed out character and a great narrator through which we see the woman’s life. This book might make you cry, but it’s worth it for the rich emotional experience of reading this book. I highly recommend pre-ordering this book and adding it to your 2026 TBR!

[meg · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you so much for the ARC!

I adored this—it was so charming! The themes of POC experience / culture/ generational stuff felt digestible and easy to connect with, and I loved the puppet's POV, so unique. Pacing slowed a bit for me in the middle, but I’m so excited to read the final version! (3.5 stars, I feel like this will be an easy 5 stars for a lot of people.)

[Kristina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful, weird-but-relatable book. Who hasn’t wanted to escape into an alternate reality to soothe the sharper edges of their lives? Our main character escapes into a..sock puppet. This is a wonderful, realistic portrayal of a life full of ups and downs and how one woman deals with the fallout. Highly recommend.

[Vitamin THC · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful and whimsical read!