Status
Available
Genres
Publication
Boston : Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2015.
Description
A widely acclaimed young writer's fierce new novel, in which childbirth and new motherhood are as high stakes a proving ground as any combat zone. A year has passed since Ari gave birth to Walker, though it went so badly awry she has trouble calling it "birth" to begin with and she still can't locate herself in her own altered universe. Amid the strange, disjointed rhythms of her days and nights and another impending winter in upstate New York, Ari is a tree without roots, struggling to keep her branches aloft. When Mina, a one-time cult musician-older, self-contained, alone, and nine months pregnant-moves to town, Ari sees the possibility of a new friend, despite her unfortunate habit of generally mistrusting women. Soon they become comrades in arms, and the previously hostile terrain seems almost navigable. With piercing insight, purifying anger, and outrageous humor, Elisa Albert issues a wake-up call to a culture that turns its new mothers into exiles and expects them to act like natives. Like Lionel Shriver's We Need to Talk about Kevin and Anne Enright's The Gathering, this is a daring and resonant novel from one of our most visceral writers.… (more)
Media reviews
While the book’s aim is admirable, the self-importance of the main character may leave a bad taste in the mouth of readers, and their time may be better spent researching the signs and symptoms of postpartum depression.
User reviews
LibraryThing member shelleyraec
After Birth is a provocative story of new motherhood.
The narrative is almost a stream of consciousness with Ari's unfiltered thoughts raging across each page. Ari is brutally honest about her experience, but abrasively so. She is angry, bitter and self pitying, however it's fair to say that she is
" Sometimes I’m with the baby and I think: you’re my heart and my soul, and I would die for you. Other times I think: tiny moron, leave me the f**k alone..."
It seems likely Ari is experiencing some level of post natal depression, exacerbated by a birth she viewed as traumatic and her difficult relationship with her deceased mother. Motherhood is undoubtedly a huge period of change and adjustment.
"There's before and there's after. To live in your body before is one thing. To live in your body after is another. Some deal by attempting to micromanage; some go crazy; some zone right the hell on out. Or all of the above. A blessed few resist any of these..."
There were parts of the novel I connected with, I have four children (three of whom were born in three years) so I can relate somewhat to Ari's experience. New motherhood can be a frustrating, exhausting, frightening and isolating period.
"Endless need. I did not understand how there could be no break. No rest. There was just no end to it. It went on and one and on. There was no end. And I couldn't relinquish him....because he was mine. There was an agony that bordered on physical when he wasn't in my arms."
However I had a hard time dredging up a lot of sustained sympathy for Ari who wallows in negativity. She is so angry, and self-righteous and entitled. I found her rants about c-sections and bottle-feeding particularly off putting.
"The baby's first birthday. Surgery day, I point out, because I have trouble calling it birth. Anniversary of the great failure."
For all of the rage in After Birth, Albert raises some important issues about the experience of modern motherhood. It can be such an isolating experience for many women, especially for those who lack the close support of family and friends and it is often difficult for new mother's to admit, and ask, for help.
"Two hundred years ago-hell, one hundred years ago- you'd have a child surrounded by other women: your mother, her mother, sisters, cousins, sisters -in-law, mother-in-law.... They'd help you, keep you company, show you how. Then you'd do the same. Not just people to share in the work of raising children, but people to share in the loving of children."
Albert also speaks about friendship, and the way women relate to each other in both positive and negative ways. Ari has few female friends, and her closest friends essentially abandon her after her son is born. She latches onto to Mina, the pregnant tenant of friends, who offers her much of the validation she craves.
We set up camp at my house or hers. We listen to music. I like the music she likes...."We say 'yes', 'exactly', 'poor thing' and 'I know', 'I know that's the whole problem' and 'really, well of course!'"
I think the rage in this novel has the potential to both ameliorate and alienate women, I rolled my eyes in derision of what it had to say as often as I nodded my head in agreement. I didn't enjoy After Birth, nor even really like it, but it is a thought provoking and powerful read.
The narrative is almost a stream of consciousness with Ari's unfiltered thoughts raging across each page. Ari is brutally honest about her experience, but abrasively so. She is angry, bitter and self pitying, however it's fair to say that she is
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also lost, lonely and deeply conflicted." Sometimes I’m with the baby and I think: you’re my heart and my soul, and I would die for you. Other times I think: tiny moron, leave me the f**k alone..."
It seems likely Ari is experiencing some level of post natal depression, exacerbated by a birth she viewed as traumatic and her difficult relationship with her deceased mother. Motherhood is undoubtedly a huge period of change and adjustment.
"There's before and there's after. To live in your body before is one thing. To live in your body after is another. Some deal by attempting to micromanage; some go crazy; some zone right the hell on out. Or all of the above. A blessed few resist any of these..."
There were parts of the novel I connected with, I have four children (three of whom were born in three years) so I can relate somewhat to Ari's experience. New motherhood can be a frustrating, exhausting, frightening and isolating period.
"Endless need. I did not understand how there could be no break. No rest. There was just no end to it. It went on and one and on. There was no end. And I couldn't relinquish him....because he was mine. There was an agony that bordered on physical when he wasn't in my arms."
However I had a hard time dredging up a lot of sustained sympathy for Ari who wallows in negativity. She is so angry, and self-righteous and entitled. I found her rants about c-sections and bottle-feeding particularly off putting.
"The baby's first birthday. Surgery day, I point out, because I have trouble calling it birth. Anniversary of the great failure."
For all of the rage in After Birth, Albert raises some important issues about the experience of modern motherhood. It can be such an isolating experience for many women, especially for those who lack the close support of family and friends and it is often difficult for new mother's to admit, and ask, for help.
"Two hundred years ago-hell, one hundred years ago- you'd have a child surrounded by other women: your mother, her mother, sisters, cousins, sisters -in-law, mother-in-law.... They'd help you, keep you company, show you how. Then you'd do the same. Not just people to share in the work of raising children, but people to share in the loving of children."
Albert also speaks about friendship, and the way women relate to each other in both positive and negative ways. Ari has few female friends, and her closest friends essentially abandon her after her son is born. She latches onto to Mina, the pregnant tenant of friends, who offers her much of the validation she craves.
We set up camp at my house or hers. We listen to music. I like the music she likes...."We say 'yes', 'exactly', 'poor thing' and 'I know', 'I know that's the whole problem' and 'really, well of course!'"
I think the rage in this novel has the potential to both ameliorate and alienate women, I rolled my eyes in derision of what it had to say as often as I nodded my head in agreement. I didn't enjoy After Birth, nor even really like it, but it is a thought provoking and powerful read.
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LibraryThing member froxgirl
"Erica lives in the city working wholeheartedly at the kind of fashion rag you read if your highest aspiration is Best Dressed at cosmetology school." WOW. WOW.
WOW. If you have not given birth, read this. If you have given birth, read this. If you are a human of this place and time, read this. If
The writing is blisteringly sad, funny, and inappropriate. Here's an example: "He's an awesome baby, a swell little guy. Still a baby, though, of which even the best are oppressive fascist bastard dictator narcissists." So, if you appreciate the fine qualities of that line, read this book. I'm buying it, which is my tribute, and I'm heading for Elisa Albert's back catalogue as fast as my fingers will carry me.
WOW. If you have not given birth, read this. If you have given birth, read this. If you are a human of this place and time, read this. If
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you are a man, by all means, plunge in. Even though there's a lot about breastfeeding. Even though there are some very rough and raunchy parts and naughty bits. Ari and her husband Paul left NYC to buy an old Victorian in one of those upstate towns that hasn't become Brooklyn # 2 yet. Ari has a terrible birth experience (of which one of her friends says, "Now that would be a great name for a band") and an even worse post partum depression. An only child, she has no family except for the vague spectre of her horrible dead mother, who withholds approval even from beyond the grave. Paul does his very best - he's a great husband and dad - but what Ari needs is the empathy and understanding of other women. Mina, a former Riot Grrrl who is older and very pregnant, sublets a house in town, and they savage, salvage, and save each other. The writing is blisteringly sad, funny, and inappropriate. Here's an example: "He's an awesome baby, a swell little guy. Still a baby, though, of which even the best are oppressive fascist bastard dictator narcissists." So, if you appreciate the fine qualities of that line, read this book. I'm buying it, which is my tribute, and I'm heading for Elisa Albert's back catalogue as fast as my fingers will carry me.
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LibraryThing member KimHooperWrites
Biting, witty, heart-wrenching, raw, honest, edgy. I loved this book. I'm not even a mother, but I could understand all of the feelings expressed by the narrator. I could feel how jarring it was for her (and probably for lots of women) to transition from an inherently-selfish existence to one that
"Sometimes I’m with the baby and I think: you’re my heart and my soul, and I would die for you. Other times I think: tiny moron, leave me the f$#k alone so I can slit my wrists in the bath and die in peace.”
“The baby toddles over, hides behind my legs. He’s an awesome baby, a swell little guy. Still a baby, though, of which even the best are oppressive fascist bastard dictator narcissists.”
See what I mean? Elisa Albert doesn't hold any punches, and I'm appreciative of that. The only reason I don't give this 5 stars is that the second half of the book kind of meandered a bit for my liking. Overall, though, a great, great read.
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requires complete selflessness. Some describe this book as being about post-partum depression. I would hesitate to slap that label on it. I think it's just a book about new motherhood. It's about aspects of new motherhood that often aren't expressed because women are embarrassed or ashamed or convinced they are completely alone in their thoughts and feelings. It's so nuanced and rich, it reads like non-fiction. Here are two passages to test whether or not you can handle this book:"Sometimes I’m with the baby and I think: you’re my heart and my soul, and I would die for you. Other times I think: tiny moron, leave me the f$#k alone so I can slit my wrists in the bath and die in peace.”
“The baby toddles over, hides behind my legs. He’s an awesome baby, a swell little guy. Still a baby, though, of which even the best are oppressive fascist bastard dictator narcissists.”
See what I mean? Elisa Albert doesn't hold any punches, and I'm appreciative of that. The only reason I don't give this 5 stars is that the second half of the book kind of meandered a bit for my liking. Overall, though, a great, great read.
Show Less
LibraryThing member KimHooperWrites
Biting, witty, heart-wrenching, raw, honest, edgy. I loved this book. I'm not even a mother, but I could understand all of the feelings expressed by the narrator. I could feel how jarring it was for her (and probably for lots of women) to transition from an inherently-selfish existence to one that
"Sometimes I’m with the baby and I think: you’re my heart and my soul, and I would die for you. Other times I think: tiny moron, leave me the f$#k alone so I can slit my wrists in the bath and die in peace.”
“The baby toddles over, hides behind my legs. He’s an awesome baby, a swell little guy. Still a baby, though, of which even the best are oppressive fascist bastard dictator narcissists.”
See what I mean? Elisa Albert doesn't hold any punches, and I'm appreciative of that. The only reason I don't give this 5 stars is that the second half of the book kind of meandered a bit for my liking. Overall, though, a great, great read.
Show More
requires complete selflessness. Some describe this book as being about post-partum depression. I would hesitate to slap that label on it. I think it's just a book about new motherhood. It's about aspects of new motherhood that often aren't expressed because women are embarrassed or ashamed or convinced they are completely alone in their thoughts and feelings. It's so nuanced and rich, it reads like non-fiction. Here are two passages to test whether or not you can handle this book:"Sometimes I’m with the baby and I think: you’re my heart and my soul, and I would die for you. Other times I think: tiny moron, leave me the f$#k alone so I can slit my wrists in the bath and die in peace.”
“The baby toddles over, hides behind my legs. He’s an awesome baby, a swell little guy. Still a baby, though, of which even the best are oppressive fascist bastard dictator narcissists.”
See what I mean? Elisa Albert doesn't hold any punches, and I'm appreciative of that. The only reason I don't give this 5 stars is that the second half of the book kind of meandered a bit for my liking. Overall, though, a great, great read.
Show Less
LibraryThing member klack128
This book was different, and I enjoyed that about it. The stream of consciousness narration was interesting, and it didn't take me long to get used to it and fall into the unique narration.
I think some of the themes presented were also really interesting. The author did a really great job of
One thing that was especially interesting to me, as a married woman without a child, was how the narrator viewed motherhood as such a lonely, isolating thing. Like, she had a baby, and suddenly found herself very alone. That was interesting to me personally, as I'm in a somewhat opposite position -- no baby while close friends and family are all having babies, which is somewhat isolating in its own way.
While some of the narrator's views were a bit heavy handed and over the top, I'm guessing that was somewhat intentional...and it really highlighted the way mothers can be so judgmental towards other mothers and the decisions they make. Despite not ever having endured pregnancy or childbirth, this was a really interesting read for me.
I think some of the themes presented were also really interesting. The author did a really great job of
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highlighting so many different aspects of motherhood: post-partum depression, the after effects of not having the type of birth you envisioned, the loneliness of motherhood, the importance of having other women/a mother figure in your life, how a baby affects a marriage and friendships. One thing that was especially interesting to me, as a married woman without a child, was how the narrator viewed motherhood as such a lonely, isolating thing. Like, she had a baby, and suddenly found herself very alone. That was interesting to me personally, as I'm in a somewhat opposite position -- no baby while close friends and family are all having babies, which is somewhat isolating in its own way.
While some of the narrator's views were a bit heavy handed and over the top, I'm guessing that was somewhat intentional...and it really highlighted the way mothers can be so judgmental towards other mothers and the decisions they make. Despite not ever having endured pregnancy or childbirth, this was a really interesting read for me.
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LibraryThing member jbarr5
After Birth by Elisa Albert
A new mother is trying to find a balance, the new child and family.
Story of a woman who's not found her zen after giving birth. Lives in a college town and works at the co op where they sell fresh vegetables.
She feels out of sorts and friends the neighbors who turn her
Relationships she has with other females and talk about Jewish religion.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).
A new mother is trying to find a balance, the new child and family.
Story of a woman who's not found her zen after giving birth. Lives in a college town and works at the co op where they sell fresh vegetables.
She feels out of sorts and friends the neighbors who turn her
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back onto marijuana which makes her feel more calm and settled.Relationships she has with other females and talk about Jewish religion.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).
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LibraryThing member mmaestiho
This was painful and raw and very good.
LibraryThing member wellreadcatlady
After Birth is a bit of a strange book. It's about Ari a year after she has given birth, but it also reflects on her pregnancy and her past friendships with women. She's not a likable character at all, she has a history of having issues with women, she hates them, and now she is suffering from
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postpartum depression and projecting her mothering views onto people. Ari is very isolated and is just looking for something to hold onto. There's lots of humor in the writing and honest feelings that I think most people can relate to some of them in some way. I loved how sometimes things didn't make sense and her logic was circular at times because that's what its like to have a mental illness, it doesn't have to make sense, its a rush unexplainable mess at times. Show Less
LibraryThing member JReynolds1959
This is such an honest book about one woman's experience with birth and post-partum depression. Ari has had a C-section and feels as if she did not really give birth to her son Walker. She is feeling alone, as she really doesn't have anyone who seems to understand her feelings about that, formula
The book is a little hard to read, as we are reading it like ambling thoughts that come into your brain and there is a lot of that. But isn't that how we all are? Just sometimes hard to follow.
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feeding, not getting any sleep and caring for her child.The book is a little hard to read, as we are reading it like ambling thoughts that come into your brain and there is a lot of that. But isn't that how we all are? Just sometimes hard to follow.
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Subjects
Awards
Paterson Fiction Prize (Finalist — 2016)
NPR: Books We Love (2015)
Language
ISBN
9780544273733
Local notes
Fiction