Review: The Baby Lottery

Please don't call this book chick lit.

In The Baby Lottery, by Kathryn Trueblood, the problems of the characters are real --messy, uncomfortable, profoundly sad, and often just plain mundane.

The story follows five friends from college who are facing down their late thirties. Nan, formerly a single mom is now comfortably married. Virginia, working mother of a 5 year old, has just separated from her husband. Jean and her husband have divorced after years of unsuccessful fertility treatments lead him to an affair. Tasi is happily single. Charlotte is married and is considering a late-term abortion.

The Baby Lottery is filled with sentiments that are as universal as they are direct.

"Here's the funny part about forgiveness: you never know if you mean it or not."

"'Brothers and sisters are the main social unit. They never marry or move away. Lovers come and go, kids come and go...'"

It also uses metaphors that although hilarious and right on target to me, might not be as universal.

"She's like those people with a live-in nanny who tell you they never let their children watch TV."

Trueblood's characters show that while there's both joy and security in child-rearing and marriage, there are perks to being unattached in your late thirties too. But then there are the obstacles. And for the first time, friends you've had for fifteen years or more may be facing entirely different problems and might not be able to help guide you through your own maze. The conflicts between their decisions and yours could easily destroy the friendships forever. If you this rings true to you, then find yourself a copy of The Baby Lottery . You won't be sorry.

Disclosure: Kathryn found my blog and sent me a review copy of her book. We'll be interviewing her on an upcoming podcast about how to promote your book online. Kathryn is also an assistant professor at Western Washington University. If you have questions you'd like me to ask during the interview, e-mail me at megan@twit.tv.