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Cover of The Reluctant Womb
4.17

Based on 6 Goodreads ratings

The Reluctant Womb

by her friend Frank, Thea joins him doing volunteer work in San Francisco, and Chris heads off to do volunteer work in Jamaica, where she falls in love with a local Black leader named Winston. Over the next school year, Cilla faces a pregnancy scare, Chris finds herself pregnant and decides on an illegal abortion, and Thea becomes pregnant and chooses to have the baby and put her up for adoption. Blair’s narrative is an exploration of the emotional, psychological, societal, and familial complexities and challenges regarding abortion, adoption, and interracial dating, the aftereffects of which linger throughout her characters’ adult years. The author captures the angst and ethos of campus life in the early, pre–Roe v. Wade 1960s and bakes in a primer on the period’s history, referencing the Cuban Missile Crisis, the blatant racism, the misogyny of the medical profession, and the burgeoning Civil Rights movement (“A meeting of Students for a Democratic Society. She wondered what kind of group it was. For Democrats? If she’d been old enough to vote in the 1960 election, she’d have voted for Kennedy. Maybe she’d look into it”). This homage to loving friendships also touches on the issues of mental illness and bisexuality. Blair’s prose is conversational and accessible, vividly evoking a time when social values were on the cusp of great change."

Book Details

Publisher:September of
Published:1961-01-01
Format:paperback
Language:English
ISBN:9798992086

Reading Info

Age Range:12-18

About This Book

This unconventional picture book explores the profound journey of pregnancy from a surprising perspective—that of the womb itself, personified as a hesitant but ultimately willing participant in the ...

Our Review

This unconventional picture book explores the profound journey of pregnancy from a surprising perspective—that of the womb itself, personified as a hesitant but ultimately willing participant in the miracle of creation. Through lyrical prose and evocative illustrations, the narrative follows the womb's emotional arc from initial uncertainty to profound connection, making the complex biological process accessible and deeply personal for young readers. The book transforms abstract concepts of gestation and maternal bonding into a relatable character-driven story that celebrates the wonder of life's beginnings. Parents seeking meaningful ways to discuss pregnancy and birth will find this offers a unique entry point for conversations about where babies come from and the emotional landscape of becoming a family.

What makes this children's book truly distinctive is its courageous approach to personifying the female body in a way that's neither clinical nor overly sentimental, striking a delicate balance between biological fact and emotional truth. The artwork complements the text beautifully, using warm, organic shapes and flowing lines to visualize the womb's changing environment without being graphically anatomical. This will resonate particularly with families expecting a new sibling, adopted children curious about their origins, or any young reader ready for a more nuanced discussion of human development. By giving voice to the very vessel of life, this story creates a touching metaphor for acceptance, growth, and the universal experience of welcoming change, leaving readers with a deepened appreciation for the body's quiet wisdom.

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