Overview

'A must-read for everyone' Stylist 'Tender, emotive and quietly revelatory' Irish Times 'A vital work' Stella Duffy In a world that expects all women to become mothers, what happens to those who circumvent motherhood? Now and throughout history, women without children have been misunderstood and even vilified for not conforming to the prescriptive path of daughter, wife, mother, whether by choice, circumstance or ambivalence. But with an increasing number of people choosing to forego children, Nicole Louie knew she was not alone. As she recounts her own journey towards embracing a life without children, Louie weaves in stories from the women around the world she found in her search for community and guidance, from their pasts to their presents to their hopes for the future. Others Like Me is a candid, tender and distinctive exploration of how fourteen women found fulfilment and flourished outside of motherhood, upending stereotypes and offering reassurance and recognition down a much-treaded but lesser-known track. 'Deeply felt and deeply researched, books like this will help women decide what is right for them' Rowan Hisayo Buchanan 'An uplifting read about finding fulfilment outside of motherhood' The Gloss 'With candour and self-reflection, Louie takes us on her journey to a deeper understanding of wanting a life that does not include motherhood' Laura Carroll 'An important, beautiful, self-excavating memoir about female autonomy told with great tenderness' Nuala O'Connor

Full Product Details

9781408748350

Table of Contents

Reviews

Deeply felt and deeply researched, books like this will help women decide what is right for them. -- Rowan Hisayo Buchanan, author of HARMLESS LIKE YOU An important, beautiful, self-excavating memoir about female autonomy and joy found in childlessness, told with great tenderness. -- Nuala O'Connor, author of SEABORNE A distinctive, original book, Louie's approach to childless lives is thoughtful and empathetic. I couldn't get enough of her beautiful, lyrical prose and the care with which she holds other women's stories. While it doesn't shy away from some hard conversations, this book is ultimately uplifting. -- Caroline Magennis, author of HARPY: A MANIFESTO FOR CHILDFREE WOMEN What a unique addition to the genre exploring women without children! . . . With candour and self-reflection, Louie takes us on her journey to a deeper understanding of wanting a life that does not include motherhood. Beautifully crafted, this book shows us how inner work and learning from others leads to living assuredly in our truths. -- Laura Carroll, author of THE BABY MATRIX Written with vulnerability and authenticity, the highs and lows of Louie's childfree journey have the poignancy of a musical symphony. If childfree is the main theme here, then the complexity of familial relationships is the supporting theme . . . I have learned from Louie's grace, generosity and bravery. An empowering and comforting read for all women, regardless of their reproductive status. -- Ali Hall, founder of the Childfree by Choice community These interviews are digestible in length and fascinating in breadth, adding depth and nuance to Louie's own story . . . Tender, emotive and quietly revelatory. * Irish Times *

Deeply felt and deeply researched, books like this will help women decide what is right for them. -- Rowan Hisayo Buchanan, author of HARMLESS LIKE YOU An important, beautiful, self-excavating memoir about female autonomy and joy found in childlessness, told with great tenderness. -- Nuala O'Connor, author of SEABORNE A distinctive, original book, Louie's approach to childless lives is thoughtful and empathetic. I couldn't get enough of her beautiful, lyrical prose and the care with which she holds other women's stories. While it doesn't shy away from some hard conversations, this book is ultimately uplifting. -- Caroline Magennis, author of HARPY: A MANIFESTO FOR CHILDFREE WOMEN What a unique addition to the genre exploring women without children! . . . With candour and self-reflection, Louie takes us on her journey to a deeper understanding of wanting a life that does not include motherhood. Beautifully crafted, this book shows us how inner work and learning from others leads to living assuredly in our truths. -- Laura Carroll, author of THE BABY MATRIX Written with vulnerability and authenticity, the highs and lows of Louie's childfree journey have the poignancy of a musical symphony. If childfree is the main theme here, then the complexity of familial relationships is the supporting theme . . . I have learned from Louie's grace, generosity and bravery. An empowering and comforting read for all women, regardless of their reproductive status. -- Ali Hall, founder of the Childfree by Choice community Digestible in length and fascinating in breadth . . . tender, emotive and quietly revelatory. * The Irish Times * These interviews are digestible in length and fascinating in breadth, adding depth and nuance to Louie's own story . . . Tender, emotive and quietly revelatory. * Irish Times *

Louie's tone is vulnerable and empathetic, making this a must-read for everyone. * Stylist * These interviews are digestible in length and fascinating in breadth, adding depth and nuance to Louie's own story . . . Tender, emotive and quietly revelatory. * Irish Times * An honest reflection of a wide range of childfree women's emotions and experiences . . . An essential read. -- 'Seven of the best reads of 2024' * Image * Deeply felt and deeply researched, books like this will help women decide what is right for them. -- Rowan Hisayo Buchanan, author of HARMLESS LIKE YOU An uplifting read about finding fulfilment outside of motherhood. * The Gloss * An important, beautiful, self-excavating memoir about female autonomy and joy found in childlessness, told with great tenderness. -- Nuala O'Connor, author of SEABORNE A distinctive, original book, Louie's approach to childless lives is thoughtful and empathetic. I couldn't get enough of her beautiful, lyrical prose and the care with which she holds other women's stories. While it doesn't shy away from some hard conversations, this book is ultimately uplifting. -- Caroline Magennis, author of HARPY: A MANIFESTO FOR CHILDFREE WOMEN What a unique addition to the genre exploring women without children! . . . With candour and self-reflection, Louie takes us on her journey to a deeper understanding of wanting a life that does not include motherhood. Beautifully crafted, this book shows us how inner work and learning from others leads to living assuredly in our truths. -- Laura Carroll, author of THE BABY MATRIX Written with vulnerability and authenticity, the highs and lows of Louie's childfree journey have the poignancy of a musical symphony. If childfree is the main theme here, then the complexity of familial relationships is the supporting theme . . . I have learned from Louie's grace, generosity and bravery. An empowering and comforting read for all women, regardless of their reproductive status. -- Ali Hall, founder of the Childfree by Choice community Lyrical, full of insight, humanity and compassion. Others Like Me shows women who don't have children that there are so many others like us. -- Clodagh Finn, author of THROUGH HER EYES: A NEW HISTORY OF IRELAND IN 21 WOMEN An affirming account of the lives of childless and child-free women. * Library Journal * Diligently researched and thoughtfully organized, Others Like Me is an honest look at the diverse identities and life paths of childless women. * Maisonneuve * Louie presents brief, stylized first-person vignettes drawn from interviews with 14 other childless women, who offer up an intriguing range of rationale . . . as well as sharp insights into both childlessness and parenthood. * Publisher's Weekly *

Author Information

Nicole Louie is a writer and translator based in Ireland. Her essays have appeared in Oh Reader magazine, The Walrus and the Guardian, and her curated collection of books, movies and podcasts about women who are not mothers by choice, infertility, circumstance or ambivalence can be found on Instagram: @bynicolelouie. Others Like Me: The Lives of Women without Children is her first book.

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