Astoundingly good

Listened to this audiobook while caring for my 4-month-old daughter, on long walks round pavements and parks. It was like someone turning a light on in a dark room. Incredible. Perceptive. Radical. Moving. Comforting. Enlivening. Astounding.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

An incredible book- please please read it!!

I have a one year old baby and this book has had such an incredible impact on my thinking around my pregnancy, the birth and the baby and myself now. I couldn't recommend this enough for mothers or fathers. I have learned so much and listened to it in the dark and lonely nights while feeding my baby, feeling so validated and understanding myself and my baby so much more. I couldn't recommend any more, I feel almost a relief and listening to it was a journey, thank you for this book and helping me with some of my guilt, worry and fears around being a mum.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

A gift for mothers! I felt seen and understood.

I listened to this a year after having my first baby whilst being pregnant with my second. I wish I had listened whilst pregnant with my first, as it would have offered me much greater insight and confidence that the total transformation that I was experiencing was normal and universal, and that I would survive it! The experience of listening was like a hug from a good friend, so reassuring and quite addictive. I devoured the book in a few days. Whilst I was fortunate that my own experience was less isolated than Lucy's since I had more family support closer to hand, and was able to move to a country where childcare is more affordable and accessible, it is essential to understand the experience of mothers who do the lions share of childcare. The days when I am at home caring for my child are harder work than the days I am able to do my career job, a common misconception which this book shines a bright light on.
Personally, I was less engaged with the scientific metaphors from the animal kingdom, but it didn't take anything away from the overall listening experience. I will listen to it a second time after the birth of my second. Thank you for this book, Lucy! If only this was compulsory reading for the whole of society...

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

The best book of my life

I have never read something so important, so interesting, so deep. I loved the parallels with the nature, I loved how the author described feelings…I was crying multiple times throughout the book, because it touches the deepest feelings, and I was also laughing out loud multiple times too. Must read. I feel blessed that this book has been written, I think it will change the world - I certainly feel inspired to fight for mothers and for the change for the better, for our children and ourselves. I have listened to the audio version and will go on and buy the book too, I want to frame every sentence from this book in my home.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Articulates everything I haven’t been able to explain

Thankyou for writing this, I hope it brings about the changes that are so desperately needed so that mothers in the future find the experience less traumatic, disorienting and outrageously unfair.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

This is the most incredible book

This book has brought together all the thoughts/feelings and experiences that I have experienced in my first year of matrescence. I’m blown away by the length and breadth of research, analysis and ideas in the book. If I could take this book and insert it into the brain of every leader, decision and policy maker in the world then I would. Times need to change and it’s important for these stories to be told and heard - Thank you Lucy

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

An excellent book

This book is enlightening, warming and will make you furious! Matrescence is the word.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Empowering

This is by far the most meaningful, empowering book I have ever read/ listened to. As a new mother to a 6 month old baby I had some mixed feelings and emotions that I was unsure how to process and deal with. Jones managed to bring so many current issues faced in motherhood to light and reassure me that what new mothers go through in daily life from conception to birth right through motherhood is life changing and enough credit isn't given to mothers in daily life. Jones did a great job with her research in this book and I found all the facts and information extremely interesting.
I could not rate this highly enough!

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Motherhood summed up!

A must read for every mother out there! Lucy portrays motherhood in all its nitty gritty glory and reminds you that you are not alone in this journey we call motherhood.
As a soon to be mother of 3 this was the perfect book to take me through my 3rd pregnancy and has made me be a little kinder to my body and the wonderful things it is doing/will do.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Essential reading for all humans

Insightful, raw and life affirming. As a new mum I loved it and felt seen. I understand more about myself, my child and my connection to the world from having read this book.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!