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Matrescence

On the Metamorphosis of Pregnancy, Childbirth and Motherhood

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About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin.

During pregnancy, childbirth, and early motherhood, women undergo a far-reaching physiological, psychological and social metamorphosis.

There is no other time in a human's life course that entails such dramatic change - other than adolescence. And yet this life-altering transition has been sorely neglected by science, medicine and philosophy. Its seismic effects go largely unrepresented across literature and the arts. Speaking about motherhood as anything other than a pastel-hued dream remains, for the most part, taboo.

In this ground-breaking, deeply personal investigation, acclaimed journalist and author Lucy Jones brings to light the emerging concept of 'matrescence'. Drawing on new research across various fields - neuroscience and evolutionary biology; psychoanalysis and existential therapy; sociology, economics and ecology - Jones shows how the changes in the maternal mind, brain and body are far more profound, wild and enduring than we have been led to believe. She reveals the dangerous consequences of our neglect of the maternal experience and interrogates the patriarchal and capitalist systems that have created the untenable situation mothers face today.

Here is an urgent examination of the modern institution of motherhood, which seeks to unshackle all parents from oppressive social norms. As it deepens our understanding of matrescence, it raises vital questions about motherhood and femininity; interdependence and individual identity; as well as about our relationships with each other and the living world.

©2023 Lucy Jones (P)2023 Penguin Audio Biological Sciences Gender Studies Motherhood Parenting & Families Relationships Science Sexual & Reproductive Health Social Sciences Sexual Health Inspiring Pregnancy Thought-Provoking

Critic reviews

Matrescence took me on a journey of reminescence through my own pregnancies and early years of motherhood, eliciting wry recognition, surprise at new evidence and insight, and gratitude for a work that really sees what it is to mother (Clare Chambers)
A beautiful contemplation of the extraordinary yet ordinary metamorphosis that adult humans undergo as they become mothers ... I was entranced ... Matrescence is a passionate and powerful maternal roar for change (Gaia Vince)
Hypnotic, fascinating and long overdue. I am so glad it exists. A gift of a book and told beautifully. (Laura Dockrill)
All stars
Most relevant
I listened to this a year after having my first baby whilst being pregnant with my second. I wish I had listened whilst pregnant with my first, as it would have offered me much greater insight and confidence that the total transformation that I was experiencing was normal and universal, and that I would survive it! The experience of listening was like a hug from a good friend, so reassuring and quite addictive. I devoured the book in a few days. Whilst I was fortunate that my own experience was less isolated than Lucy's since I had more family support closer to hand, and was able to move to a country where childcare is more affordable and accessible, it is essential to understand the experience of mothers who do the lions share of childcare. The days when I am at home caring for my child are harder work than the days I am able to do my career job, a common misconception which this book shines a bright light on.
Personally, I was less engaged with the scientific metaphors from the animal kingdom, but it didn't take anything away from the overall listening experience. I will listen to it a second time after the birth of my second. Thank you for this book, Lucy! If only this was compulsory reading for the whole of society...

A gift for mothers! I felt seen and understood.

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an intimate, honest, open and razor sharp enquiry into the institution of motherhood, explored through an ecological lens in an often poetic style. The breadth of information distilled in here is golden.

intimate, honest, informative

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Just brilliant.
I wish I had read this 10 years ago when I had my baby.

A must read

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This covers just about everything that’s gone on in my mind since becoming a mother and is so important for all to understand. I love the comparisons to the natural world and the evidence of studies (or lack of) on this topic.
It was relentless, exhausting and so brutally real and concluded with a magical feeling of wonderment, hope and strength. A must read (or audio book in my case) for all

Relentless, exhausting and brutally real. Just like motherhood

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A beautifully written book, Lucy reads it beautifully too.

It’s very much about her experience and opinion of birth and motherhood, some of which I identified with and some I fortunately didn’t.

I thought when I bought it, that it would be about the Matrescence experience for women in general but it’s much more personal than that and I found it difficult to hear some of Lucy’s opinions on birth; comments such as in birth “death hides behind a veil” and that birth is “dangerous” and that hypnobirthing is a “farce”.

This isn’t my own experience of birth and although I respect that this is her book so of course she can write whatever she likes, I feel like if I hadn’t already had a different experience then this could have been quite damaging and I feel it perpetuates this idea that medical intervention is the only safe way to birth. Perhaps I have misunderstood, but this was my understanding of what she’s written.

Definitely worth reading, but perhaps if you are pregnant like myself, you should avoid and explore other avenues to learn more about birth and save this book for postpartum.

Written from a place of deep personal trauma

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