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21 Miles

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About this listen

After a decade of trying to become a mother - 11 rounds of unsuccessful IVF, multiple miscarriages and a pregnancy which proved almost fatal - Jessica Hepburn knew it was time to do something different.

So she decided to swim the 21 miles across the English Channel - no easy feat, especially for someone with an aversion to exercise who couldn't swim very well. As the punishing training commenced, Jessica learned you need to put on weight to stave off the cold. This then led to another idea: what if she wrote to a collection of inspiring women, asking if they would meet and eat with her to answer the question: does motherhood make you happy?

The response was overwhelming. From baronesses and professors to award winners and record-breakers, amazing women from different walks of life - some mothers, some not - all with compelling truths to tell about female fulfilment and the meaning of motherhood. On 2 September 2015, Jessica set out from Dover beach in the dark, taking the words that each of the women had given to sea in her bid to answer the question.

©2018 Jessica Hepburn (P)2019 Audible, Ltd Physical Illness & Disease Sports Water Sports Swimming Inspiring Heartfelt Thought-Provoking Infertility Pregnancy Sexual Health
All stars
Most relevant
I listened to this book trying to figure out if I want to have children or not. I couldn’t have asked for a better book on this. Jessica handles this content with the respect, care, candour and kindness it deserves. Best of all, she’s not prescriptive, I feel sure each person will listen to this book and leave with the answer that works for them. Brilliant, thank you!

Funny, delicious & insightful

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Thank you Jessica for writing such a beautiful, inspiring book. I really, really enjoyed it.

Listened to every word

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This audiobook was all the better for being performed by Jessica Hepburn herself. She tells her story well, sometimes funny, sometimes heartbreaking, but each chapter ends in a thought-provoking way.
The 21 interviews asking the question "does motherhood make you happy" are fascinating and leave you re-examining your own thoughts and feelings.
This audiobook is a great listen for all women, especially those facing unwanted childlessness. It is an uplifting sequel to the sadness of her first book about her fertility journey.
Separately this book is a fascinating listen for anyone wanting to understand the how and why of swimming the channel!

A compelling read with long lasting messages

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I loved this book. Every moment of it. The reading of it by the author was a rhythmically honest performance, and the story drew me along with each sentence, each stroke, each mile. The people she met, the lives that became known, the insights given, the wisdom shared. I didn’t want it to come to an end.

So much goodness in this!

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I loved this book from beginning to end.I was in awe of Jessica's achievements. i would definitely recommend.

Moving and monumental I loved it.

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