Maybe Baby: 28 Writers Tell the Truth About Skepticism, Infertility, Baby Lust, Childlessness, Ambivalence, and How They Made the Biggest Decision of Their Lives

asked by anton584 on October 30, 2006 6:31 PM

To breed or not to breed? That is the question twenty-eight accomplished writers—including Anne Lamott, Rick Moody, Kathryn Harrison, and Alisa Valdes-Rodriguez—ponder in this collection of provocative, honest, and deeply personal essays. Based on a popular series at Salon.com, Maybe Baby features parents and nonparents alike exploring how and why they decided whether to have children.

This powerful collection offers both frank and nuanced looks at those choices, both alternative and traditional, from a wide range of viewpoints. From abortion to adoption, from ambivalence to baby lust, from single parenting to searching for the right partner to have a baby with, Maybe Baby brings together the full force of opinions about this national—but also intensely personal—debate.

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Reviews

I totally agree with "gensparkie"'s review. This book is excellently written, conveys tremendous honesty, and shows a huge diversity of thinking on the issue of having kids. Best book on this issue I have ever read.

reviewed by bulldogs on November 1, 2006 5:42 AM

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I find this book fascinating for many reasons. My wife and I have just decided to have a baby, and I had read excerpts on salon before the book itself. I found myself agreeing with many of the sentiments expressed. In the decision, I found myself trapped by my own selfishness, and found that mirrored in many of the essays. But I thought: what if my parents had been this selfish? What if all they were concerned about was the mess their kids would turn their house into? The loss of free time? To be honest, I was very concerned that I wasn't "cut out" for parenthood - but reading these essays, I came to grips with my selfishness, and realized there's more to life than me.

reviewed by geri1956 on November 2, 2006 1:16 PM

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Most of the childfree/childless people in this book claim that they may change their minds or regret not having kids. Only one really stood out and said no I am never having kids (Elinor Burkett) The ones who were on the fence really seemed like they will all have kids one day. And there are no I regret having kids stories from the parents.

The book reads very fast and is an interesting read. But I would not add it to a list for those trying to chose if they should have kids or not. It leans too much towards being a parent. If you want honest anwsers from both the childfree and moms/parents I recommend "do I want to be a mom?" you can find it here on amazon.

reviewed by literary on November 26, 2006 7:34 AM

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One of those unique books where professional writers openly discuss their personal decisions on family and children. Interesting take is that they have all made decision and stuck with it in regards to whether or not to have children. Neither one of them seems to regret their decision and is firmly behind it. While some writings are more impressive than others, they all have in common he fact that they are sincere and open.

reviewed by vern on November 27, 2006 12:12 AM

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add a new book!