Childless: a story of freedom and longing

In her memoir 'Childless: a story of freedom and longing', writer and broadcaster Sian Prior documents the complex history of her attempts to have a child: with a man whose children she miscarried, with another man who didn’t want more children, and via IVF with an anonymous sperm donor. When she finally gives up her quest, there are the consolations of step-parenting and step-grand-parenting—until these roles become untenable too. In the wake of these losses Sian decides to embrace the unwanted gift of her childlessness: freedom. As she travels the country in a small camper van, Sian unravels the mystery at the heart of her own childhood —her father’s death by drowning. She seeks to understand what childlessness means for her identity and legacy, and questions whether she—and her generation—have done enough to prevent the climate crisis threatening the safety of every child. Compelling, moving, beautifully written and unexpectedly uplifting, 'Childless' will stay with you long after you finish the last page.