Not an enjoyable read by any means. More a wrestling match between fulfillment, status, respect, fear, values, expectations, independence, "normal", convention. Is not having a child akin to being a draft dodger? What is acting vs. being yourself? Am I a vessel? Does having
…more a child mean holy completeness? By freezing eggs am I freezing my indecision about being a mother?
The "I" never has a name but is obsessed with "the soul of time" and relies on flipping coins and seeking fortune tellers to make decisions. She is weak and indecisive and Miles, her partner is selfish and rather unknowable. The "I" is 37 and her biological clock is ticking and she would rather be a writer (her central relationship) than a mother.
The most intriguing part of the book was the pattern of motherhood between three generations and I's father as being the mother figure in her life.
I must add that I'm not the most objective judge as I truly value my motherhood. Also, this is a most unusual novel, rather an analysis. (less)