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loujbee's review against another edition
3.0
I started this in late January so it’s safe to say I struggled. Not so much the book or writing but just not able to engage with it.
chaitea444's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
lailat's review
3.0
Say it Again in a Nice Voice by Meg Mason (yes, she of Sorrow and Bliss) is a humorous memoir of motherhood. I ordered it before even reading Sorrow and Bliss, having been hooked by the blurb: “One fine Sunday, she invented motherhood by Having a Baby. On Monday, she discovered that a bunch of women had already done that, but still they couldn’t tell her how to do it.”
OK, *deep breath*. I’ll start with the good. The writing is humorous and engaging. The stories of motherhood (and pre-motherhood) are extremely relatable. I particularly connected to the struggle to find a “family home” and raising a child on one income. I also really identified with the terror of trying to fill an empty day with a screeching baby.
However, despite enjoying the book generally, it would be remiss of me to fail to mention the following points. There are a few occasions of fatphobia. The book was first published in 2012, and, honestly, I can’t remember whether the average reader was aware of these issues ten years ago. Regardless, the version I was reading was republished in 2021 and so certainly could have been amended to remove these instances, without affecting the storytelling at all. It’s clear that Mason was uncomfortable with putting on weight due to pregnancy, and it’s a wider issue as to why women feel this way, but the comments in the books weren’t only directed at herself . Case in point: “K’Hunt’s second-in-command was a giant lesbian with type 2 diabetes, who mainlined brownies from Pret a Manger, in flagrant disregard for what they did to her blood sugar, mood and subsequent ability to talk to us not like naughty infants.” I felt downright uncomfortable reading at some points. There is also casual mention of self-harm, so I would be wary if that’s something that may affect you.
There’s no doubt that Mason’s writing is captivating and engaging, but I have to say that the experience of reading this book has made me unsure whether or not to read her re-released first novel, You Be Mother.
Side note: this book contains references to, and quotes from, Rachel Cusk’s A Life’s Work, the Cusk that’s been highest on my list since forever. This has given me the nudge I need to get to it ASAP.
OK, *deep breath*. I’ll start with the good. The writing is humorous and engaging. The stories of motherhood (and pre-motherhood) are extremely relatable. I particularly connected to the struggle to find a “family home” and raising a child on one income. I also really identified with the terror of trying to fill an empty day with a screeching baby.
However, despite enjoying the book generally, it would be remiss of me to fail to mention the following points. There are a few occasions of fatphobia. The book was first published in 2012, and, honestly, I can’t remember whether the average reader was aware of these issues ten years ago. Regardless, the version I was reading was republished in 2021 and so certainly could have been amended to remove these instances, without affecting the storytelling at all. It’s clear that Mason was uncomfortable with putting on weight due to pregnancy, and it’s a wider issue as to why women feel this way, but the comments in the books weren’t only directed at herself . Case in point: “K’Hunt’s second-in-command was a giant lesbian with type 2 diabetes, who mainlined brownies from Pret a Manger, in flagrant disregard for what they did to her blood sugar, mood and subsequent ability to talk to us not like naughty infants.” I felt downright uncomfortable reading at some points. There is also casual mention of self-harm, so I would be wary if that’s something that may affect you.
There’s no doubt that Mason’s writing is captivating and engaging, but I have to say that the experience of reading this book has made me unsure whether or not to read her re-released first novel, You Be Mother.
Side note: this book contains references to, and quotes from, Rachel Cusk’s A Life’s Work, the Cusk that’s been highest on my list since forever. This has given me the nudge I need to get to it ASAP.