The Facts of Life

Synopsis

'In her moving and sympathetic book, Paula Knight charts the emotional cost of the pursuit of motherhood and thoughtfully challenges the societal notion that to live a life without children is to live a lesser life.'—Aminatta FornaA clarion call to recognise that parenting isn’t the be-all and end-all of family life, Paula Knight’s extraordinarily powerful graphic memoir is a beautifully drawn, funny and sometimes painful exploration of what it takes to be a woman, and a mother—or not.In 1970s Northeast England, best friends Polly and April are sitting up a tree, whispering about periods and swapping their hazy knowledge of the facts of life. They both expect to have families one day—it’s the normal script to follow, isn’t it? But, as Polly grows up, education and career become important too, and she believes that she can have it all.When, some years later, Polly settles with Jack, her career has taken off and she feels torn over whether or not to try for a baby. Has she left it too late? Did she have any control over that choice? They go ahead, but, after repeated miscarriage and chronic illness take their toll, Polly and Jack have to face a very tough decision.As Polly looks back to discover the origins of her own expectations, she has to confront what family means in a society where ‘family’ usually means ‘children’.

Copyright:

2017

Book Details

Book Quality:

Publisher Quality

ISBN-13:

9781908434760

Related ISBNs:

9781908434524

Publisher:

Myriad Editions

Date of Addition:

06/23/20

Copyrighted By:

N/A

Adult content:

No

Language:

English

Has Image Descriptions:

No

Categories:

Nonfiction, Biographies and Memoirs, Health, Mind and Body, Literature and Fiction, Parenting and Family

Submitted By:

Bookshare Staff

Usage Restrictions:

This is a copyrighted book.