Chatto Windus Newborn Running Away, Breaking with the Past, Building a New Family.

by Kerry Hudson

‘It was always going to be difficult to follow Lowborn, but Kerry Hudson is Kerry Hudson and she has done it – cleverly, honestly, brilliantly’ RODDY DOYLE'Filled with food, Prague, illness, love, the challenges of having a baby in a foreign country and making your own story' AMY LIPTROTIn Newborn, prizewinning writer Kerry Hudson navigates trying to build a nourishing, safe and loving family - without a blueprint to work fromKerry Hudson is celebrated for her emotionally and politically powerful writing about growing up in poverty. Her books and journalism have changed the conversation and touched countless lives.In this new book she what next, after a childhood like hers? What hope is there of creating a different life for herself, let alone future generations? We see how Kerry found love, what it took to decide to start a family of her own and how fragile every step of the journey towards parenthood was. All along the way, she faces obstacles that would test the strongest foundations, from struggles with fertility to being locked down in a Prague maternity hospital to a marriage in crisis. But over and over again, her love, hope, fight -- and determination to break patterns and give her son a different life -- win through and light her path.Newborn is a beautiful, empowering memoir about creating a family in the midst of chaos, and learning new ways to find happiness. It continues the journey Kerry started in her bestselling memoir Lowborn, illuminating her experiences of becoming a mother, reshaping her future and reclaiming her identity.PRAISE FOR KERRY ‘It’s not just Kerry Hudson’s writing that is vibrant, authentic and true, it’s the person herself, it’s where the writing comes from; a wise and generous heart’ KIT DE WAAL'Hudson’s resilience, grace and humility are staggering. She’s an absolute inspiration’ DOUGLAS STUART‘Kerry Hudson blew me away, opened my eyes’ PHILIPPA PERRY

Genres: Nonfiction, Parenting, Memoir, Biography Memoir

272 pages, Hardcover

Published February 1, 2024

About the author

Kerry Hudson was born in Aberdeen. Growing up in a succession of council estates, B&Bs and caravan parks provided her with a keen eye for idiosyncratic behaviour, material for life, and a love of travel.

Her first novel, TONY HOGAN BOUGHT ME AN ICE-CREAM FLOAT BEFORE HE STOLE MY MA, was published by Chatto & Windus in Summer 2012. It has since been shortlisted for the Guardian First Book Award, Southbank Sky Arts Award, Green Carnation Prize, Polari Prize, Author's Club First Book Award and Saltire First Book Award. It was the winner of the Scottish Book Awards: Best First Novel.

Kerry’s second novel, THIRST, was developed with support from the National Lottery through an Arts Council England grant and will be published July 2014. She now lives, writes and works in East London.

Reviews

[Pam Wright Alfie Blue Puss In Books · Rating 2 out of 5]

Having read the authors previous works of both non fiction and fiction I was really looking forward to reading this as I found her previous work to be insightful, tender, heartbreaking and very well written. Despite being very grim in subject matter I found her previous work had an overwhelming sense of hope. Some may have classed it as poverty voyeurism but I felt it was a true personal account told with care. I was really pleased to be approved for this upcoming works ARC. However I sadly let down when I read it.
I follow Kerry’s journalism of which I really enjoy, it always leaves me thinking and I think her writing style is wonderful it has a real truth to it in a chatty style. I like her use of grammar and sentence structure she is a beautiful writer, she shows real class. This book has all that style but what let’s it down is the subject matter/story it’s too personal while she makes she really valid points and reflects on her past it’s comes as across as a little self indulgent. It’s not so much a journey about becoming a mother but more of a update on her personal battle with her past, of which is interesting reading but it’s not really fitting in a book format I think it could have been better explained in a longer read article. There isn’t much about the actual challenges of the journey to parenthood beyond her own personal demons so if you are looking for a mother to be book this isn’t it nor is it the social political examination of motherhood. While the writing is strong and I hear her voice this book wasn’t for me there was a real air or repetitiveness, self indulgences and it lacked proper points or flow. Disappointed but will still follow Kerry’s works. It would be have been one star but I gave of bonus star for the kitten story( currently googling how to support cats in Georgia) and the fact I really like Kerry as a journalist.

[Raakel · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐️
Colourful and honest, if not at times a little self-indulgent, “becoming a parent” account of a very relatable and cosmopolitan lady with childhood trauma and a serious case of wanderlust.
This book has several good and relatable themes which are all interlinked: wanting to be a good parent despite your own childhood trauma, becoming a parent abroad, a strong and good relationship breaking down due to the effects of becoming a parent, the anxiety of a FTM, having to find a way to settle down in one location after being used to travelling and moving around, illness, becoming a parent with a working class background with someone from a wealthier background etc.

I found it really touching when Kerry concluded that her son is growing up in the middle of those two worlds: scarcity and extreme wealth, neither of which is good and that her son has enough everything and sometimes a little bit of extra.

I feel like a lot of people in their 20s, 30s, 40s will relate to this way of raising children: renting but not necessarily suffering from super unstable housing, having a child after spending years on travel and self indulgent activities, not being wealthy or poor either etc.

I also think lots of people will find comfort in relating to Kerry’s relationship struggles after having a baby.

Bonus points for Kerry giving a glimpse into expat life in Prague, thats very interesting!

I hope Kerry achieves what she clearly finds very important: raising a son without all that childhood trauma

[Saffy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the author’s work, particularly her previous memoir Lowborn which is such a powerful and emotional read so I was thrilled to have the opportunity to read Newborn.
At the start of the pandemic Kerry is pregnant and with and her partner Peter, living in Prague and navigating an unfamiliar rental housing market and health care system as the country is locking down. Newborn describes Kerry’s pregnancy journey and what it’s like to be a mother whilst living with a history of trauma and coping with chronic health issues. As with all of the author’s work it is beautifully and honestly written. So much of it resonated with me- the childhood trauma and being a mother with a chronic illness - and I felt very emotional throughout. However there is also so much joy here, even when in pain Kerry finds the joy and gratitude in her life with Peter and their son. A moving and hopeful memoir that will stay with me for a long time. Highly recommended.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this digital ARC.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Newborn by Kerry Hudson

I loved Kerry's previous book, Lowborn, and this was a brilliant follow-on from that, chronicling her journey into motherhood and beyond. The writing is as beautiful and honest as always, and really brings to life the challenges of pregnancy in a pandemic whilst living in Prague and subsequent ill health. I loved the descriptions of Prague, the people she encounters and most of all her family life. I couldn't put it down and can't wait for the next instalment (hope there is one!). Very VERY highly recommended.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book.

[Jo Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Kerry's work - her memoir of being in love, of being pregnant in a healthcare system not known and understood by her is absorbing. Especially given the Covid 19 pandemic and how difficult that is everywhere.
She writes from the heart, wanting to improve her life (understandably) and those around her. But she doesn't sugar coat life and love either - there are difficulties which I am sure resonate with every parent of a young child.
Wonderful writing as ever.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked lowborn and found it stuck with me after I finished it so was really pleased when I saw she had bought out a new book on mother hood just as I myself had finished my first 9 months as a parent!
I won’t say too much but it’s a really good relatable account of parenthood and negotiating a weird time of learning to parent when your own parents were pretty poor. I also now feel super jealous of the author living throughout Europe!

[Aimée Bell · Rating 2 out of 5]

Listened on Audible. Enjoyed parts of this but left feeling disappointed that most of the book wasn't actually about motherhood or the baby at all. Too much unnecessary detail about food and Peter! Once I noticed this I found it hard to ignore. I had hoped that more links would be made to the experience of becoming a mum when your own childhood was anything but happy, something I would have resonated with, but this didn't do it for me. 2/3 stars out of 5.

[Susannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to the audiobook of this and loved Kerry’s gentle lilting voice. It is quite the journey both literally and emotionally as Kerry and Peter move to Prague and work together to weather both storms and sunny days.

I read Lowborn and thought it was completely brilliant. This is a very different sort of book but lovely and interesting all the same.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review to come

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read, particularly the sections about pregnancy, birth and early motherhood in lockdown which really chimed with my experiences

[Jess Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kerry Hudson is a remarkable woman who has overcome great difficulties in her life. This is a brilliantly honest memoir. Not many of us would be brave enough to share our vulnerabilities in the way that she has and she is to be admired for it.

If you would like to read my full review please visit my blog at:

https://leftontheshelfbookblog.blogsp...