elliemcc11's review
3.0
This fictional account of a woman's experience of post-natal depression was an interesting read, although perhaps not as heart-wrenching as I expected it to be. Set in Liverpool (and covering areas I know well from my time at university there) this was the story of a single mother coming to terms with becoming a mother, over a period of 3 months or so. At times it was hard reading, especially as I'm due to have my first baby in a month, but the story was still worth reading.
chrissireads's review against another edition
3.0
I would've given this book three and a half stars if that was an option. It was a well written book but very disturbing in parts.
bibliobethreads's review against another edition
3.0
This book is three and a half stars from me. The story centres around Rachel, a woman who is pregnant and desperately looking forward to becoming a mother. However, when she gives birth, the experience is nothing like she fantasised about. This book deals with very difficult issues and some parts of the story I found quite disturbing. This was a brave choice of subject for the author and I recommend it highly.
tanyaborck's review against another edition
3.0
An unusal book that was hard to put down and very hard to rate. Will only make sense if you have had a baby that didn't sleep.
onmelsshelves_'s review against another edition
4.0
Go To Sleep is the story of single new mum Rachel who begins to suffer from insomnia after the birth of her baby, Joe. Despite feeling utterly exhausted and well meaning advice from those around her telling her "to sleep when the baby sleeps", she is unable to let herself rest. We hear from Rachel's point of view of being driven mad by a baby who is constantly hungry, crying and won't sleep, but is this the truth or is her perception being distorted by her lack of sleep? Determined to prove to those around her, the midwives, her father, friends that she is capable of looking after her baby, she refuses help and battles on until she finally breaks down.
I downgraded the rating from five star to four stars after re-reading. I first read this book in 2011 when it was first released and gobbled it up within a few days. At that point, I didn't know anyone with children or read anything about motherhood that showed it such a light. On a second read, I found Rachel pretty frustrating and unlikeable. Even before giving birth, she has a big chip on her shoulder and acts as though she is superior to everyone around her. Usually, there are some redeeming qualities or ways that an author will make you like a character despite their flaws but with Rachel I found none. That made the book slightly less enjoyable this time around.
One of the things I loved most was the way that Liverpool is almost a character itself in the book. The way Walsh describes the city and sets the scene devoid of any stereotypes you would usually associate with it, made me really want to visit.
I downgraded the rating from five star to four stars after re-reading. I first read this book in 2011 when it was first released and gobbled it up within a few days. At that point, I didn't know anyone with children or read anything about motherhood that showed it such a light. On a second read, I found Rachel pretty frustrating and unlikeable. Even before giving birth, she has a big chip on her shoulder and acts as though she is superior to everyone around her. Usually, there are some redeeming qualities or ways that an author will make you like a character despite their flaws but with Rachel I found none. That made the book slightly less enjoyable this time around.
One of the things I loved most was the way that Liverpool is almost a character itself in the book. The way Walsh describes the city and sets the scene devoid of any stereotypes you would usually associate with it, made me really want to visit.
meganlouise815's review against another edition
2.0
I mean, I didn't really know what to expect with this, but I definitely didn't enjoy it. It was very mundane, and I really hated Rachel, I didn't feel sorry for her at all.
patchworkbunny's review against another edition
4.0
When a one night stand with an ex leaves Rachel pregnant, she decides to go ahead and have the baby by herself. She is a strong, independent woman, she will be a great mother. But as the sleepless hours tick by, she starts to resent baby Joe. Why won’t he just go to sleep?
Go To Sleep is an incredibly honest look at the stress a baby can put a woman under. Determined to cope by herself, Rachel shuts everyone else out but soon she finds how difficult things are when she has to do every little thing with a small, crying person in tow. Without support, she gets less and less sleep and the stress starts to get to her. She’s not bonding with Joe and she wishes there were something wrong with him that can be fixed. As she starts to unravel, the tension mounts and it’s a real page-turner despite the fact that not a lot really happens.
Rachel works as a social worker in Liverpool and I really liked this side of the story too. We only see a little bit of her working life before the birth but it is something she just can’t let go of. Her kids need her and whilst she is not in a position to be rescuing them, I admire her for it. I guess it’s easier for her to help them than help herself. It also highlights some of the racial tensions of the area. Joe is mixed race and Rachel suspects her father of being racist, of disapproving of her ex and shutting him out.
If I was under any doubt as to not having children, this book would be a great reminder why they are not all sunshine and roses. Women who think a baby will “fix things” should certainly read it! I’m not a huge fan of books focusing on new mothers, as they tend to be a bit sentimental or imply motherhood is the sole purpose in life for the characters, but this couldn’t be further from that. I did find the chapters covering her labour a bit much although I am sure they are more realistic than any other novel. Yes, chapters, and it’s hard for her. I read in disbelief as the hospital turned her away again and again, but I imagine busy, city-centre hospitals have to work that way. Perhaps mothers will appreciate the reality check. It’s not a bit of deep breathing and out they pop!
Go To Sleep is an incredibly honest look at the stress a baby can put a woman under. Determined to cope by herself, Rachel shuts everyone else out but soon she finds how difficult things are when she has to do every little thing with a small, crying person in tow. Without support, she gets less and less sleep and the stress starts to get to her. She’s not bonding with Joe and she wishes there were something wrong with him that can be fixed. As she starts to unravel, the tension mounts and it’s a real page-turner despite the fact that not a lot really happens.
Rachel works as a social worker in Liverpool and I really liked this side of the story too. We only see a little bit of her working life before the birth but it is something she just can’t let go of. Her kids need her and whilst she is not in a position to be rescuing them, I admire her for it. I guess it’s easier for her to help them than help herself. It also highlights some of the racial tensions of the area. Joe is mixed race and Rachel suspects her father of being racist, of disapproving of her ex and shutting him out.
If I was under any doubt as to not having children, this book would be a great reminder why they are not all sunshine and roses. Women who think a baby will “fix things” should certainly read it! I’m not a huge fan of books focusing on new mothers, as they tend to be a bit sentimental or imply motherhood is the sole purpose in life for the characters, but this couldn’t be further from that. I did find the chapters covering her labour a bit much although I am sure they are more realistic than any other novel. Yes, chapters, and it’s hard for her. I read in disbelief as the hospital turned her away again and again, but I imagine busy, city-centre hospitals have to work that way. Perhaps mothers will appreciate the reality check. It’s not a bit of deep breathing and out they pop!
balancinghistorybooks's review against another edition
4.0
At the moment, I am really into psychological novels and thrillers, and Helen Walsh's Go to Sleep sounded as though it would perfectly fit the bill. Whilst it was not quite what I was expecting it to be, the novel is cleverly written, with a wonderful intensity that builds throughout, until it reaches a hideous, but marvellously controlled, crescendo. We see the spiralling out of control begin with Rachel's labour, and then intensify. The first person perspective worked so well, and I found that Rachel's narrative voice punched with its realism. Go to Sleep, which tackles some very important issues, felt like an authentic portrait of a woman in real trouble; it is thought-provoking, and difficult to put down.
alexclare's review against another edition
3.0
Deliberately confusing but I found the time changes got distracting.
stephend81d5's review against another edition
4.0
powerful story of rachel and her new born son joe and the effects of post natal depression and how helen walsh's word bring home the prblems of rachel and how she copes through all oher worries well worth reading
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