‘A must-read for everyone’ Stylist
‘Tender, emotive and quietly revelatory’ Irish Times
‘Distinctive, original . . . Louie’s approach to childless lives is thoughtful and empathetic’ Caroline Magennis, author of Harpy: A Manifesto for Childfree Women
Who are you? What does your life look like? Did you choose this, or did it happen to you? How do you spend your time? And your energy? And your money? Are you happy? Are you scared? Are you lonely? Do you regret not having kids? If yes, why? If not, why not?
Others Like Me is the story of fourteen women around the world, from different walks of life, who don’t have children. It’s also the story of why Nicole Louie had to find them and what they taught her. Part memoir, part exploration of childlessness through candid conversations, this book showcases the many ways in which people find fulfilment outside of parenthood. And because the social expectation to procreate weighs the most on women, Louie focuses solely on them, their experiences and how they flourish outside of motherhood. In doing so, she upends the stereotypes that diminish women who are not mothers and offers reassurance and companionship on a path less known.
‘Deeply felt and deeply researched, books like this will help women decide what is right for them’ Rowan Hisayo Buchanan, author of Harmless Like You
‘An uplifting read about finding fulfilment outside of motherhood’ The Gloss
‘With candour and self-reflection, Louie takes us on her journey to a deeper understanding of wanting a life that does not include motherhood’ Laura Carroll, author of The Baby Matrix
‘Tender, emotive and quietly revelatory’ Irish Times
‘Distinctive, original . . . Louie’s approach to childless lives is thoughtful and empathetic’ Caroline Magennis, author of Harpy: A Manifesto for Childfree Women
Who are you? What does your life look like? Did you choose this, or did it happen to you? How do you spend your time? And your energy? And your money? Are you happy? Are you scared? Are you lonely? Do you regret not having kids? If yes, why? If not, why not?
Others Like Me is the story of fourteen women around the world, from different walks of life, who don’t have children. It’s also the story of why Nicole Louie had to find them and what they taught her. Part memoir, part exploration of childlessness through candid conversations, this book showcases the many ways in which people find fulfilment outside of parenthood. And because the social expectation to procreate weighs the most on women, Louie focuses solely on them, their experiences and how they flourish outside of motherhood. In doing so, she upends the stereotypes that diminish women who are not mothers and offers reassurance and companionship on a path less known.
‘Deeply felt and deeply researched, books like this will help women decide what is right for them’ Rowan Hisayo Buchanan, author of Harmless Like You
‘An uplifting read about finding fulfilment outside of motherhood’ The Gloss
‘With candour and self-reflection, Louie takes us on her journey to a deeper understanding of wanting a life that does not include motherhood’ Laura Carroll, author of The Baby Matrix
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Reviews
A distinctive, original book, Louie's approach to childless lives is thoughtful and empathetic. I couldn't get enough of her beautiful, lyrical prose and the care with which she holds other women's stories. While it doesn't shy away from some hard conversations, this book is ultimately uplifting.
What a unique addition to the genre exploring women without children! . . . With candour and self-reflection, Louie takes us on her journey to a deeper understanding of wanting a life that does not include motherhood. Beautifully crafted, this book shows us how inner work and learning from others leads to living assuredly in our truths.
Deeply felt and deeply researched, books like this will help women decide what is right for them.
Written with vulnerability and authenticity, the highs and lows of Louie's childfree journey have the poignancy of a musical symphony. If childfree is the main theme here, then the complexity of familial relationships is the supporting theme . . . I have learned from Louie's grace, generosity and bravery. An empowering and comforting read for all women, regardless of their reproductive status.
An important, beautiful, self-excavating memoir about female autonomy and joy found in childlessness, told with great tenderness.
These interviews are digestible in length and fascinating in breadth, adding depth and nuance to Louie's own story . . . Tender, emotive and quietly revelatory.
Lyrical, full of insight, humanity and compassion. Others Like Me shows women who don't have children that there are so many others like us.
Louie's tone is vulnerable and empathetic, making this a must-read for everyone.
An affirming account of the lives of childless and child-free women.
An honest reflection of a wide range of childfree women's emotions and experiences . . . An essential read.
Diligently researched and thoughtfully organized, Others Like Me is an honest look at the diverse identities and life paths of childless women.
An uplifting read about finding fulfilment outside of motherhood.
Louie presents brief, stylized first-person vignettes drawn from interviews with 14 other childless women, who offer up an intriguing range of rationale . . . as well as sharp insights into both childlessness and parenthood.
Part memoir, part research, all impressive storytelling, Louie travels the globe listening to women speak of the experience of being not-mothers . . . In questioning her choice to be childfree while holding space for those who grieve their childlessness, Louie offers the possibility that as women - mothers or not - we may have more in common than is often acknowledged, not least that the lives of women and girls are all too often circumscribed by societal expectations and misogyny. A vital work as we approach the second quarter of the twenty-first century.