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.

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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.

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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...

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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.

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A beautiful exploration of motherhood

I listened to this whilst in my final trimester of pregnancy and it really helped me to understand the physical, emotional and cultural changes that I had experienced as well as what was to come. I love Lucy Jones' style of vivid nature imagery and fantastically explained scientific research. highly recommended for anyone who is on the journey of motherhood as well as those who are supporting them. a beautiful gem of a book x

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I felt heard and understood

I think everyone with kids should read this book. Not just women who entered matrescence, but also their partners, to understand the depth of the changes that go through women, to understand their loneliness and lost of selves.
It really made me feel understood. Finally I wasn't alone anymore. I was not crazy or bad... just a woman entering and navigating matrescence in the best way she could with the little support she got from society.

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An eye opener

This was a fascinating listen. As a mother of three, I found myself resonating with so much of what was said, and started to realize that all this author was saying was true. That what I have felt in relation to motherhood, is very much part of the process of the changes we go through in becoming mothers. Highly recommend!

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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

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An excellent book

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

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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!

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