Hot Milk (2016) by Deborah Levy is a novel about Sofia Papastergiadis, a young woman accompanying her mother, Rose, to Spain in search of a diagnosis for Rose’s mysterious illness, which may be psychosomatic. The illness disrupts Sofia’s life, straining their relationship as Sofia struggles with resentment and a sense of stagnation. While navigating her mother’s health concerns, Sofia reconnects with her estranged father in Greece, explores her family’s troubled history, and embarks on a journey of self-discovery, including relationships with a medical student and a German woman named Ingrid. Themes of familial obligation, personal freedom, and moral ambiguity intertwine, as Sofia confronts her identity and seeks independence. The novel delves into complex emotions and the blurred line between physical and psychological ailments.
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