The Raw Beauty of Choice
Perhaps a good way to describe this weeks’ book is a fictionalised version of some of the essays from Otherhood.
This week we take a look at Still Born by Guadalupe Nettel - not your typical book about motherhood. It’s not sugar-coated, sentimental, or trying to sell you on one version of what it means to be a mother. Instead, it’s this raw, honest exploration of both choosing motherhood and choosing not to, and honestly, it hit me in ways I didn’t expect.
The story follows two women, Laura and Alina, and their very different approaches to motherhood. Laura’s dead set on not becoming a mother—she’s made her decision and is grappling with what that means for her identity. Meanwhile, Alina desperately wants to have a child but faces some brutal challenges with her pregnancy. Right from the start, you know this isn’t going to be some cookie-cutter narrative. It’s about choice, the unpredictability of life, and the complexities of nurturing—whether that’s a child, a dream, or even yourself.
What I loved most about Still Born is how real and emotionally raw it feels. Nettel doesn’t shy away from the hard stuff. There are moments that are absolutely heart-wrenching, but not in the "grab the tissues" kind of way – you might think it is going to be one of these books from the title (I did). It’s more like the kind of sadness that makes you stop, breathe, and think deeply about the weight of the choices these characters are making. Yet, even in the toughest moments, there’s a strange beauty in it all—this sense of holding your breath and waiting for the characters to come up for air.
Nettel’s writing is incredibly lyrical and intimate. Every ordinary moment pulses with emotion, and she gives voice to all those unspoken fears and doubts around motherhood—whether you’re in it or choosing not to be. The way she captures the duality of motherhood as both a profound joy and a source of sorrow is nothing short of masterful. The women in this story are strong, vulnerable, and heartbreakingly human, and their stories intertwine in ways that reflect how our decisions, whether to embrace or reject motherhood, shape who we are and how we connect with others.
But here’s what really stands out: Still Born doesn’t push any kind of agenda. It’s not saying, “Motherhood is everything,” or “You’re only free if you choose not to have kids.” It’s more like, “These are two valid paths in life, and it’s okay to choose whichever one feels right for you.” In a world where it feels like you’re constantly pressured to pick a side, this book is a breath of fresh air.
If you’re looking for a novel that’ll make you feel all the feels, think deeply, and appreciate the messy, complicated beauty of life, then trust me—you’re going to want to pick this one up. Still Born isn’t just about motherhood. It’s about being human, and sometimes, that’s all the beauty you really need.. because life is too short to read bad books.