The Other Mothers, Jennifer Berney
The Other Mothers, Jennifer Berney
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The Other Mothers
Two Women's Journey to Find the Family That Was Always Theirs

Author: Jennifer Berney

Narrator: Xe Sands

Unabridged: 7 hr 19 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Tantor Media

Published: 02/02/2021


Synopsis

A story of fertility, feminism, and family.

Jenn Berney was one of those people who knew she was destined for motherhood—it wasn't a question of if, but when. So when she and her wife Kelly decided to start building their family, they took the next logical step: they went to a fertility clinic. But they soon found themselves entrenched in a medical establishment that didn't know what to do with people like them. With no man factoring into their relationship, doctors were at best embarrassed and at worst disparaging of the couple.

Soon Jenn found herself stepping outside of the system determined to disregard her. Looking into the history of fertility and the LGBTQ+ community, she saw echoes of her own struggle. For decades queer people have defied the patriarchy and redefined the nuclear family—and Jenn was walking in their footsteps.

Through the ups-and-downs of her own journey, Jenn reflects on a turbulent past that has led her to this point and a bright future worth fighting for. With clarity, determination, and hope, The Other Mothers gives us a wonderful glimpse into the many ways we can become family.

About Jennifer Berney

Jennifer Berney writes to explore the human state of longing. Her essays have appeared in Tin House, The Offing, Brevity, the New York Times, the Washington Post, and many other publications. Jennifer grew up on the East Coast, but spent many summers falling in love with the Pacific Northwest, where the trees, mountains, and water seemed to put all worries in perspective. She has made a home in Olympia, where she lives with her partner, two sons, three dogs, eleven chickens, and many honeybees.

Jennifer holds an MFA in creative writing from the University of Washington, and teaches writing at South Puget Sound Community College.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Lilli

Jennifer Berney knew from an early age that she wanted to be a mother. At the age of 7, she became a big sister, and in a home where neither parent was particularly attentive to her or her younger brother, she took on the role of mother all too often. She also knew from an early age that she was gay......more

Goodreads review by Ethel

Jennifer Berney's memoir on the struggles and triumphs of lesbian love, conception, motherhood, and family--and of how devastating the patriarchal models for medicine, fertility, family, and society remain--is a terrific, enraging, and uplifting read. I loved it and am already missing the memorable......more

Goodreads review by Louise

An unflinching, intimate look at what one lesbian couple went through in order to have children. I’m really glad I read this book. I was lucky enough not to have to go through fertility treatments to have my children but I know women who did, and the monthly disappointments were heartbreaking for th......more