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elliemcc11's review against another edition
1.0
I mainly read the sections on contemporary childbirth which had very accurate descriptions and certainly rang true for me.
marthaos's review against another edition
3.0
This was quite an ambitious and creative novel that told four linked stories on the theme of birth, a theme seldom explored in literature.
Each of the stories in their own was interesting. My favourite was the contemporary one of Brigid, opting for a home birth. It describes nearly all birthing options in detail as she proceeds from natural labour at home, to epidural in the hospital and finally to emergency C-section. The accounts of each, while detailed are not too graphic either which I would not have liked. Her story takes place in just one day, and even with all the drama unfolding, we still are presented with a picture of her quotidian life, her relationship with her mother, son and husband, and even a friend, also in the very early stages of motherhood. The domestic scenes in her story were funny to read, yet realistic too.
My least favourite story was that set in the future, presented as a series of interviews with nameless characters belonging to a group trying to restore some elements of creation and recreation into a sterilised and controlled environment. While the premise was quite good and imaginative, I found it difficult to engage or identify with any of the characters, and found the atmosphere quite depressing. I know this was the intention but I found myself reading as quickly as I could through these sections, (incidentally in a different font type), so that I could get onto the next.
The other two stories were quite engaging, but appeared more linked to each other than to either of the other stories. I found the character of Michael Stone interesting, but was confused by his development which seemed to be building and building towards something only to end seemingly with his own persistent sense of failure and anticlimax.
At times I thought this novel might be like "The Hours", by Michael Cunningham, in its structure but was disappointed at how Kavenna executed her idea. The link between the stories, though aimed at being subtle, for me ended up tenuous at best. The writing was good, as were the ideas, but I found it lacking in terms of development, characterisation and plot. However there was more good than bad certainly, and the writing style and overall vision sustained this book.
Each of the stories in their own was interesting. My favourite was the contemporary one of Brigid, opting for a home birth. It describes nearly all birthing options in detail as she proceeds from natural labour at home, to epidural in the hospital and finally to emergency C-section. The accounts of each, while detailed are not too graphic either which I would not have liked. Her story takes place in just one day, and even with all the drama unfolding, we still are presented with a picture of her quotidian life, her relationship with her mother, son and husband, and even a friend, also in the very early stages of motherhood. The domestic scenes in her story were funny to read, yet realistic too.
My least favourite story was that set in the future, presented as a series of interviews with nameless characters belonging to a group trying to restore some elements of creation and recreation into a sterilised and controlled environment. While the premise was quite good and imaginative, I found it difficult to engage or identify with any of the characters, and found the atmosphere quite depressing. I know this was the intention but I found myself reading as quickly as I could through these sections, (incidentally in a different font type), so that I could get onto the next.
The other two stories were quite engaging, but appeared more linked to each other than to either of the other stories. I found the character of Michael Stone interesting, but was confused by his development which seemed to be building and building towards something only to end seemingly with his own persistent sense of failure and anticlimax.
At times I thought this novel might be like "The Hours", by Michael Cunningham, in its structure but was disappointed at how Kavenna executed her idea. The link between the stories, though aimed at being subtle, for me ended up tenuous at best. The writing was good, as were the ideas, but I found it lacking in terms of development, characterisation and plot. However there was more good than bad certainly, and the writing style and overall vision sustained this book.
jasonfurman's review against another edition
4.0
One of the characters in The Birth of Love says, "'Men are unlikely to read a book about childbirth. It's unfortunate, but there's not much to be done.'" And by the time I had finished the book I wondered if that sentence shouldn't also apply to women.
This novel contains four interrelated and alternating stories: one set in Vienna in 1865, two set in the present (one about a pregnant woman giving birth and one about the writer of the first story), and finally a story set in 2153, which we learn is about a decedent of the mother in the second story. All of them are about birth in various forms, three about giving birth to a baby and one about the labor that goes into writing a book.
The different threads are reasonably well tied together, each interesting in its own right, but none enough to sustain an entire novel or even novella by itself.
Some of the psychological perspectives, mostly from the mother's perspective but also from the father's, seemed strikingly accurate.
Main complaint is that some of it is a bit hokey or obvious or bludgeoning of the same theme. But that doesn't detract from the good writing and originality.
This novel contains four interrelated and alternating stories: one set in Vienna in 1865, two set in the present (one about a pregnant woman giving birth and one about the writer of the first story), and finally a story set in 2153, which we learn is about a decedent of the mother in the second story. All of them are about birth in various forms, three about giving birth to a baby and one about the labor that goes into writing a book.
The different threads are reasonably well tied together, each interesting in its own right, but none enough to sustain an entire novel or even novella by itself.
Some of the psychological perspectives, mostly from the mother's perspective but also from the father's, seemed strikingly accurate.
Main complaint is that some of it is a bit hokey or obvious or bludgeoning of the same theme. But that doesn't detract from the good writing and originality.
bibliobethreads's review
3.0
This is a really interesting book to review. Its a few stories that are all inter-linked by the subject of mothers and birth. I did enjoy two stories more than the others, hence the three star rating. Also, as someone without children at the moment, some parts were incredibly scary - hope I'm not put off for life!(joke)
iymain's review against another edition
3.0
Woah. This is a weird one. It is well written and the urgency of tone forced me to power through, even though the characters weren't that gripping. I'm not sure what to make of the fact that the jacket write-up talks about 3 perspectives, when there are actually 4. There are lots of complicated details I'd have to reread the book in order to work out. Several mother characters; authority issues; alienation; lack of mental control due to drugs, drink or exhaustion... Each of the characters seemed so alienated and alone in their personal reality. I found that the relationship between mother and child was more of a primal need than a personal one. For all that the book title talks about the birth of love, I'll be dogged if I can find a single compelling example of it in the book. Husband wife, mother child, daughter/son to mother, toddler to father, friends... they all fell short. In my opinion, the most sincere connection was between the novelist and the guest at the party, and that conversation was abruptly interrupted and abandoned. Wha...?
It's a neat trick to combine past, present and future in different chapters. It makes even the familiar seem strange and then the strange seem ordinary. Very effective technique and very well written. Though, to be honest, I'm not sure I'm convinced that I just read about the Birth of Love. It felt awfully bleak for that. I guess we are left with glimmerings of hope that the book ended on the cusp of change, but after the beginning, that seemed kinda unlikely...
It's a neat trick to combine past, present and future in different chapters. It makes even the familiar seem strange and then the strange seem ordinary. Very effective technique and very well written. Though, to be honest, I'm not sure I'm convinced that I just read about the Birth of Love. It felt awfully bleak for that. I guess we are left with glimmerings of hope that the book ended on the cusp of change, but after the beginning, that seemed kinda unlikely...
ariereads's review against another edition
2.0
I really was not a fan of this. Though I thought the physical writing was not bad, the actual stories completely failed to grasp me, aside from the futuristic one which was not developed nearly enough. If the entire book had been about the prisoners, with only a few mentions of how the other stories may have related, then I may actually have enjoyed reading The Birth of Love.
It really didn't help that the meticulously described account of an incredibly painful and distressing labour not only took up a good third of the book, but also completely freaked me out - I only hope I can forget it in the next decade or so before I face labour myself. Terrifying.
It really didn't help that the meticulously described account of an incredibly painful and distressing labour not only took up a good third of the book, but also completely freaked me out - I only hope I can forget it in the next decade or so before I face labour myself. Terrifying.
sophronisba's review against another edition
3.0
A disappointment. I was so intrigued by the description of this book, but the three strands didn't really tie together well, and nothing wowed me.
ruthiella's review against another edition
3.0
Read for an on-line "Book Menage". For further comments, please see http://www.citizenreader.com/citizen/2011/05/book-menage-day-5-the-wrap-up.html
gglazer's review
3.0
Really cool concept, with three separate strands of stories -- one over 100 years ago, about a doctor in a lunatic asylum; one in present day, about a mother giving birth to her second child; one far in the future, about escapees from a society that controls childbirth. I loved the way the stories connected, but they all felt a little flat and disengaged. The concept was better than the writing. Still, a quick read, good for a long airplane ride.
rachelkc's review against another edition
2.0
Highly conceptual, but lacking in follow through, The Birth of Love takes you through stories of childbirth in the past, present, and future.
First thoughts: I love the parallel narratives across different times - it keeps me from getting bored with one story line.
Recommended for: I think this book ended up being "Not For Me," which isn't to say it's not for anyone else - maybe mothers (or parents) who have actually gone through childbirth? Those interested in the social and historical implications of childbirth?
Final thoughts: A fast read, thanks to the different stories, but a disappointing finish. I felt cheated out of complete endings. I didn't feel like I had enough context with Michael Stone's story to understand his motives and the drama of his actions. I wanted to know more about Prisoner 73004's feelings. I needed some further backstory.
First thoughts: I love the parallel narratives across different times - it keeps me from getting bored with one story line.
Recommended for: I think this book ended up being "Not For Me," which isn't to say it's not for anyone else - maybe mothers (or parents) who have actually gone through childbirth? Those interested in the social and historical implications of childbirth?
Final thoughts: A fast read, thanks to the different stories, but a disappointing finish. I felt cheated out of complete endings. I didn't feel like I had enough context with Michael Stone's story to understand his motives and the drama of his actions. I wanted to know more about Prisoner 73004's feelings. I needed some further backstory.
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