Reviews with content warning for Ableism - Still Born

Still Born is the second book I’ve read from the International Booker longlist. Laura and Alina are best friends who have no desire to become mothers. Laura goes so far as having her tubes tied. Alina though eventually changes her mind and after some struggles becomes pregnant, but the pregnancy does not proceed smoothly. This slim but impactful book goes on to explore many facets of motherhood. Things like whether or not to become pregnant and continue a pregnancy, what can happen when a woman isn’t able to mother in the way she would like, the many and varied ways women can have input into a child’s life and make a real difference without becoming a mother, as well as some of the limits on those contributions. I thought the book did an especially good job sensitively depicting some of the realities of raising a disabled child, particularly dealing with all the unknowns. I appreciated the way the author allowed Laura and Alina’s friendship to continue. So often differing decisions about motherhood is portrayed as spelling the death of friendship between women so it was refreshing to see the author take a different tack. I loved the nuanced way the author explored issues surrounding motherhood, never offering or assuming a one-size-fits-all approach. I think my favourite part of the book was that it highlighted the fact that mothers don’t have to be everything for their child, and that mothers, children and others can all benefit from an “it takes a village” approach to child raising. One caveat I will add is that this book is very focussed on motherhood. Men, especially fathers are either absent or very much in the background.

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