First Born

by Caroline Thompson

ItÕs the seventies... Young marrieds, Claire and Edward Nash, have their perfect little plans for the future rocked when Claire becomes pregnant. Claire isnÕt sure what she herself wants, but her husbandÕs disappointment and resentment at surrendering his dreams couldnÕt be more painful to her. So she deals with it, having an abortion in secret and alone. ItÕs the practical thing to do, but that doesnÕt make it painless or easy or trauma- ee. A erwards, Claire thinks her nightmare is over. Silly ClaireÉ

192 pages, Hardcover

First published May 1, 1983

Reviews

[Peter J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This has been on my TBR for a while now. I'm glad I finally read it and liked it. The book's overall narrative and structure are different than I've pictured them and I liked the book Thompson wrote a lot more than the one I imagined. Now, having said that, I don't think I'll ever read it because so much of it is heartbreaking. As Joey becomes a character, I became sadder as I was fairly certain we weren't heading for happy ending (and we weren't). Overall, still happy to have checked this hard to find classic off my list.

[Ruby Atkin · Rating 3 out of 5]

written by the screenwriter of Edward scissorhands this story is essentially an early iteration of the Edward scissorhands story but also reads a bit like a super dark slightly supernatural Nora Ephron.

“the parallel between suburban life and a horror movie is really closer than you might think” is a great way to close an afterword.

[Kristal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Couldnt put it down, what a page turner! Then out of nowhere it ended abruptly like it was rushed.

[Meghan Lightle · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a quick read. I finished in a day. Quite a disappointing ending though. Curious structure. Well written. Strange.