Getting a Life : Stories

Rating:
Summary: Real Motherhood
Review: Two great stories, "Cafe Society" and "Getting a Life," depict the reality of being a mother to several very young children. Yes, the life of such a mother can be bleak, because the demands of children under 5 are uniquely relentless. But these stories aren't an indictment of marriage and motherhood, but a sort of war story. After all, unless you keep having children (as some of the mothers here do; one is not sure why), this phase does end. I honor Simpson and other writers (Rachel Cusk, for example) who shed light on mothers' usually hidden daily struggle.

The other stories are weaker, especially the one about the boutique, which seems to be some sort of fantasy. Why would someone six-month pregnant indulge in an expensive shopping trip? Maybe it has some appeal to a shopoholic.