British author Unsworth tells of the terrible postnatal depression she fell into after her son was born. She writes honestly about the immense difficuBritish author Unsworth tells of the terrible postnatal depression she fell into after her son was born. She writes honestly about the immense difficulty of postpartum motherhood, and the grief of losing her identity as it is subsumed by motherhood. "How did this happen? I am tough. I am smart. I have built a career. I have lived alone. I have spent decades carving out a life for myself that feels right and fulfilling. Now I am cracking, right down the middle." Unsworth's writing is raw, smart, and funny. My slim, 146-page copy is heavily underlined. A necessary book in conversations about early motherhood....more
Nicole Louie tells her story of being childless by choice, starting with her childhood in Brazil, and later adulthood in Sweden, Ireland and England wNicole Louie tells her story of being childless by choice, starting with her childhood in Brazil, and later adulthood in Sweden, Ireland and England working as a translator. Louie knew she did not want children of her own, and she spent years seeking out stories of other women without kids. Louie intersperses her story with those of women she's interviewed. The women are frequently asked invasive questions about why they have chosen not to have children, and Louie shares her experiences being treated differently at work because she does not have kids (ex: always being assigned the on-call person during holidays while her coworkers with children do not take turns.) Her story is interesting and well told, and I appreciated that the women she interviews come from many different countries and cultures. Even for those with children, this book is good to broaden your perspective....more
I really appreciated Jennifer Case's honesty in this unflinching and interesting memoir about her unplanned pregnancy with her second child. Case examI really appreciated Jennifer Case's honesty in this unflinching and interesting memoir about her unplanned pregnancy with her second child. Case examines motherhood and how we talk about it and experience it. Also the things we don't talk about, the things we struggle with, and more. Case is an academic, but this memoir is written in a thought-provoking, accessible manner....more