Guadalupe Nettel’s Still Born, translated by Rosalind Harvey, was the title that most caught my eye from the International Booker longlist and it did not disappoint. Not only is it one of the most flowing translations I’ve read in ages, its depictions of unconventional motherhood and mothering roles are incredible. She doesn’t hold back from depicting the ugly side of motherhood that I’m sure lots of people would feel too guilty admitting. It mainly follows two women, Laura and Alina, who both originally don’t want children. Laura undergoes a hysterectomy, but Alina changes her mind and decides she wants to get pregnant. Alina finds herself faced with a situation no parent dreams of, while Laura, biologically childless, finds herself taking care of her 6 year old neighbour while his mother struggles with depression and trauma from a past abusive relationship. Weaving in between these two women’s narratives are other women who all have their own stories & experience of motherhood - Alina’s nanny, Laura’s mother, Laura’s neighbour, doctors, friends. The focus is on Laura & Alina but Nettel offers a lot of nuance through stories on the fringe.

The chapters are short and I was absolutely gripped by it, even though it’s not a particularly plot-driven book. I’ll be hopeful for this one making the shortlist, as it has a lot to say about societal expectations placed on mothers and women who choose not to become them.