Has anyone read 'I Don't Know How She Does It' or 'The Rise and Fall of a Yummy Mummy'?

[litgirl]

Hello!
I was just hoping for a few opinions really! I'm an English Lit student currently writing my thesis on Women's writing, and the opinions around chick-lit, and mummy and baby novels. I am discussing these two novels to illustrate how the characters react against the yummy-mummy myth presented in the media. I would love to hear any opinions you may have about either book, or chick-lit in general, and if you think these novels present mums realistically.

Thank you so much,
Katie xxx

Katie I heard it serialised on Radio 4 but I haven't read it. I thought it was great actually. It captured, for me, the conflict involved in having to work and mother.

hi, yes I read "I don't know how she does it", and enjoyed it very much. I couldn't identify with the character at all, and in fact she annoyed me as she was so stupid when it came to things like going away for half-term instead of slobbing out at home which would have made them all happier.

I hope very much that there aren't really people like this out there, but it certainly made me feel good about myself, because no matter how bad I get as a mother, I'll never be as bad as her!

In general I think books like this do make us feel better about ourselves, whereas I hate books where the heroine is well-groomed, beautiful, a great friend, sexy, and of course can cook well,and entertain fabulously too!

should this not be in media/ non member requests , or are we going to write litgirls thesis for her ??? and yes, i read ' i don;t know how she does it'

Hi, I read the rise and fall of a yummy Mummy some time ago now - but do remember that I thoroughly enjoyed it, and laughed out loud at various points.

I thought it was well written and have recommended it to many of my friends.

From memory, it portrayed the way that although some women may have a cool and fashionable exterior, in fact, they are not necessarily doing any better than anyone else, and indeed it hammered home the point that women and particularly mothers, should not have to lose their sense of identity when they become "Mummy".

I really enjoyed it.

Also other "Mother-esque" books of note are the trio by Sinead Moriarty: The Baby Trail, Perfect Match and From here to MAternity.

Another ChicLit Book close to my heart was: A Brown Owl's Guide to Life

I read the rise and fall of a yummy mummy and i really identified with the main character, the loss of self post baby etc.

btw i firmly believe that the "yummy mummy" myth was started by a man!

I can't believe that anyone can write a thesis on books like this. But then I did a proper English degree!

I read rise & fall of a yummy mummy & thought it was shit does this help?

What kind of thesis is it anyway? I'm surprised it counts if all you're doing is discussing other peoples opinion of chick lit.

OOH Dinosaur put those claws away
Read yummy mummy and thought characters were v identifiable. Great book imo. Good Luck just finished my Eng Lit degree!

Sorry, don't mean to be derogatory, it's just a world away from what I did.

I've also read I Don't know How She Does It and whilst I enjoyed it I also thought she was stupid. Why bash up the shop bought mince pies? Who cares?

litgirl - Allison Pearson is so not reacting against a media myth, she is embodying it, in the sort of exaggerated pantomine way you have to if you are going to sell millions. "I Don't Know .." started as a newspaper column, didn't it? - like Bridget Jones.

I know lots and lots of people in similar sorts of occupations & life-traps as the character - Kate something, isn't it? - and the hugely boring truth is that reality just involves a shedload more dreary compromise than would sell a novel.

Actually, you know who is an utter genius on women's life & choices & everything, & that is Posy Simmonds. Can you work her in?

I'm with dinosaur on this

Bink, don't do katie's homework for her

And Posy is really good on dreary compromise. Remember the strip on "what happens to woolly liberals" - a terrible fate ... we get moth-eaten ...

Right, will stop hectoring you. I not only did an English degree, I used to supervise theses too

But there is some interesting material for your own hypothesis in AS Byatt's Still Life (Stephanie and Daniel Orton)

I've read 'I don't know how she does it' and it really bugged me the way everything in the character's life is against her - husband, job, in-laws, other mums, etc etc.
Bink is quite right about it helping to create the myth.

DO look at Rachel Cusk's book on becoming a mother which was the best portrayal of new motherhood I read and reason alone for mothers to return to work ASAP in my view which usually makes everyone much happier all round.

Was it fiction though Xenia?
Helen Simpson's stories from Yeah Right, Get a Life are the perfect antidote to Allison Pearson

I enjoyed "i don't know how she does it" I found some bits quite sad. It showed you really can't "have it all"

yes yes yes Helen Simpson
also, litgirl, if you would like to rip Rachel Johnson's idiot banal bandwagon Notting Hell to shreds I will gladly lend a hand. TOSH

'rise and fall of a yummi mummy' could not read past page ten. not well written at all and so bloody full of stereotypical character.

'i dont know...' I enjoyed it more. yes she is a bit over the top no doubt (I hope so at leats as I dont know any mum that works in the city) but there are a lot of truths in regards to how you feel as a working mum. dunno maybe it's because it's something I am thinking a lot about ATM. (not too sure about being a SAHM but don't enjoy my job anymore as I cannot do it propeerly anymore: no time, mo brain) (sorry for rant out of place!!!)

re: those snotty comments about the subject of the dissertation and the quolity of the degree... is it necessary???