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Fledging
'It starts as bloating, a hard curvature in my gut that won’t go away. I wonder if it’s my period, but it isn’t the right time. The cramps come slowly at first, like a rising tide, and then grow shorter and sharper, a racing heartbeat.'
When Lia lays an egg she doesn’t know what to do. At her age, it’s impossible to escape the baby question, and all her friends seem to be having children. She feels her heart’s not in it – but all the same, there’s the egg, impossible to ignore, lying in a nest of towels in the living room.
Her partner on tour on the other side of the world and her mother diagnosed with a terminal illness, Lia finds herself torn, unsure whether she’s ready to give up on her songwriting dreams; but time is running out, and she must make one of the biggest decisions of her life.
Beautifully written and brilliantly original, Fledging is a riveting tale that asks what it is to lead a meaningful life, and sounds a resounding call for women to make their own choices, whether that means embracing motherhood or living child-free.
When Lia lays an egg she doesn’t know what to do. At her age, it’s impossible to escape the baby question, and all her friends seem to be having children. She feels her heart’s not in it – but all the same, there’s the egg, impossible to ignore, lying in a nest of towels in the living room.
Her partner on tour on the other side of the world and her mother diagnosed with a terminal illness, Lia finds herself torn, unsure whether she’s ready to give up on her songwriting dreams; but time is running out, and she must make one of the biggest decisions of her life.
Beautifully written and brilliantly original, Fledging is a riveting tale that asks what it is to lead a meaningful life, and sounds a resounding call for women to make their own choices, whether that means embracing motherhood or living child-free.
- GenresFictionContemporary
172 pages, Paperback
Published August 28, 2024
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183 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
August 23, 2024
Lia has laid an egg.
Fledging is an incredible extended metaphor for motherhood and choice that is delivered with mesmerising skill in perfectly crafted prose by Rose Diell. I found it utterly fascinating. With the protagonist having given birth to an egg, the entire concept of the book is innovative and captivating.
Beautifully and yet sparcely written, there’s depth, allegory and enormous sensitivity in Fledging so that whilst this is a novella in length, there’s a profound intensity. Bird’s arrival causes Lia to question her attitudes to motherhood and allows her to make an informed decision about whether she wants to have a baby. As someone with absolutely no maternal instinct myself, I was riveted by Lia’s inability to separate herself from Bird and wondered just how the narrative might end. This is a story of choice, demands, and decision making, presented with skill and an emotional integrity.
As Lia’s own mother is unwell, the complexities of being potentially both parent and child, whilst trying to maintain a long distance relationship with David, hold down a job and develop her songwriting, ensure Lia feels so very true to life. Her predicament of being pulled in several directions at once and in trying to be all things to all people is a universal one so that Fledging feels as if it has been written for all women, regardless of their maternal desires.
I loved the way Lia so often has to carry Bird like a physical burden, and yet when she is away from Bird, the tug of connection pulls at Lia’s emotions. Fledging is a narrative driven by turmoil, doubt and indecision, and it feels tender and compassionate so that it’s a highly affecting read.
The themes of Fledging are important for today’s society and are explored here with mature intelligence. Guilt, choice, motherhood, relationships, professionalism, partnership, identity, family and societal expectation swirl around Lia’s looking after Bird, making for a story of thought-provoking significance and importance. This is book to generate discussion and wider of motherhood.
I found Fledging intense, relatable and essential reading for any woman contemplating motherhood but ambivalent about whether she really wants a child. Just don’t expect Rose Diell to make that decision for you because the powerful Fledging illustrates choice is personal and, frequently, inequitably decided so that every potential, actual, or denied, mother is as unique as this book.
Fledging is an incredible extended metaphor for motherhood and choice that is delivered with mesmerising skill in perfectly crafted prose by Rose Diell. I found it utterly fascinating. With the protagonist having given birth to an egg, the entire concept of the book is innovative and captivating.
Beautifully and yet sparcely written, there’s depth, allegory and enormous sensitivity in Fledging so that whilst this is a novella in length, there’s a profound intensity. Bird’s arrival causes Lia to question her attitudes to motherhood and allows her to make an informed decision about whether she wants to have a baby. As someone with absolutely no maternal instinct myself, I was riveted by Lia’s inability to separate herself from Bird and wondered just how the narrative might end. This is a story of choice, demands, and decision making, presented with skill and an emotional integrity.
As Lia’s own mother is unwell, the complexities of being potentially both parent and child, whilst trying to maintain a long distance relationship with David, hold down a job and develop her songwriting, ensure Lia feels so very true to life. Her predicament of being pulled in several directions at once and in trying to be all things to all people is a universal one so that Fledging feels as if it has been written for all women, regardless of their maternal desires.
I loved the way Lia so often has to carry Bird like a physical burden, and yet when she is away from Bird, the tug of connection pulls at Lia’s emotions. Fledging is a narrative driven by turmoil, doubt and indecision, and it feels tender and compassionate so that it’s a highly affecting read.
The themes of Fledging are important for today’s society and are explored here with mature intelligence. Guilt, choice, motherhood, relationships, professionalism, partnership, identity, family and societal expectation swirl around Lia’s looking after Bird, making for a story of thought-provoking significance and importance. This is book to generate discussion and wider of motherhood.
I found Fledging intense, relatable and essential reading for any woman contemplating motherhood but ambivalent about whether she really wants a child. Just don’t expect Rose Diell to make that decision for you because the powerful Fledging illustrates choice is personal and, frequently, inequitably decided so that every potential, actual, or denied, mother is as unique as this book.
September 10, 2024
I’m always grateful to authors like Rose Diell, who challenge & breakthrough the stereotypes of what women ‘should’ do & want. It’s injected with some lightness & humour too, as the main character Lia never loses her ability to laugh at herself. I love the funny inner dialogue! The book is a nice blend of depth and levity. Relatable to every woman, on levels we often don’t vocalize or share… it addresses the peer pressure to conform to standards & traditions, that you think you will leave behind after school, but no, it follows us through life, just morphing into different forms, like the decisions to marry or reproduce... Thought-provoking, honest, and a great conversation starter for any book club.
September 4, 2024
Emotional and raw, this is like nothing else I’ve read before.
It’s about the choices available ( or lack of sometimes) for women and the expectations of many.
Lia’s story is told so articulately - that story of motherhood encompassing the guilt, the relief and the all enveloping feeling of being responsible for someone.
I found the part about the change in the relationship between the mother and child and then the child as an adult so emotional and really resonated with me. That need to know where you’re from and in some to keep that line going. The history of family stories handed down through generations - the passing of information and expectations in the circle of life.
It’s about the choices available ( or lack of sometimes) for women and the expectations of many.
Lia’s story is told so articulately - that story of motherhood encompassing the guilt, the relief and the all enveloping feeling of being responsible for someone.
I found the part about the change in the relationship between the mother and child and then the child as an adult so emotional and really resonated with me. That need to know where you’re from and in some to keep that line going. The history of family stories handed down through generations - the passing of information and expectations in the circle of life.
August 29, 2024
Today is my spot on the blogtour for 𝗙𝗟𝗘𝗗𝗚𝗜𝗡𝗚 by Rose Diell. Thank you to Renard Press for having me along and sending me an arc copy of the book 🥚🐦⬛
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𝗙𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵𝘀 𝗮𝗴𝗼. 𝗠𝘆 𝗯𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗱, 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗴𝗶𝗿𝗹 𝗜'𝗱 𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗰𝗿𝗮𝘆𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 - 𝗿𝗮𝗶𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝘄𝗼𝗼𝗱𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗲 - 𝘀𝗽𝗶𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘆 𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘀 - 𝗺𝗮𝗱𝗲-𝗯𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗲𝘃𝗲 𝗱𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗼𝗻𝘀 - 𝗳𝗮𝗸𝗲-𝗯𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵, 𝘁𝗼𝗹𝗱 𝗺𝗲 𝘀𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗻𝗮𝗻𝘁.
𝗪𝗮𝘀 𝗶𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗲𝗴𝗴 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝘁𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗲?
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Fledging is such an interesting novella.
At first, when Lia lays an egg, I thought it was simply an allegory for all of the pressures she had suppressed, which always find a way out some way, whether mentally or somatically.
But in the book, the egg is a literal and physical object that she expels from her body and decides to take care of.
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𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝘁 𝗶𝘀, 𝗶𝘁'𝘀 𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗵𝗶𝘁𝗲. 𝗜 𝘄𝗶𝘀𝗵 𝗜 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗰𝗲 𝗶𝘁 𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲, 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝘃𝗼𝗺𝗶𝘁. 𝗕𝘂𝘁 𝗶𝘁 𝘀𝗲𝗲𝗺𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗵𝗮𝘀 𝗯𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼𝗼 𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴.
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Lia herself is a very interesting character.
I think readers might feel divided on whether they believe her to be lonely, or independent. Lia herself doesn't always seem to know.
She is a musician, and tries to find time to prioritise her interest in music and songwriting, but at the same time can be her own worst enemy with procrastination, even before the egg comes along.
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𝗗𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗱 𝗮𝗹𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝘀𝗲𝗲𝗺𝘀 𝘀𝗼 𝘀𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗱. 𝗜 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝘀𝗸 𝗵𝗶𝗺 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗲𝘀 𝗵𝗶𝗺 𝘀𝗮𝗱.
𝗔𝗻𝗱 𝗜 𝘄𝗶𝘀𝗵 𝗜 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗵𝗶𝗺, 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗲𝘁, 𝘄𝗮𝗹𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘂𝗽𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗱𝗼𝘄𝗻.
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Her internal debate about motherhood and whether to have children is a central theme of the novel. Many readers, particularly women, will feel an affinity with Lia in relation to this toing and froing, as there are so many societal pressures (even in this day and age) to conform and procreate.
The details surrounding women's health, and how doctors completely shy away from certain procedures due to fertility concerns, even where they may be quick and effective in treating other issues, was particularly poignant.
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𝗜 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗼𝗳 𝗠𝘂𝗺, 𝗜 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗼𝗳 𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀. 𝗜 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗼𝗳 𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗻 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀. 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗻. 𝗜 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗼𝗳 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝗲𝗴𝗴𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗼𝘃𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗲𝘁𝘂𝘀, 𝘀𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗺𝗲, 𝗻𝗼 𝘄𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝗮 𝗵𝗮𝗶𝗿, 𝗵𝗮𝘀 𝗲𝘅𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗺𝘆 𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗰𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗼𝗺𝗯 𝗼𝗳 𝗺𝘆 𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿.
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Lia's unsurety seems to also stem from a sense of not truly knowing who she is, and not having a full sense of her place in the world.
She has so many interactions with her mother that are tender and revealing about her concerns, and I really felt for her in these moments.
She recognises the struggles and limitations her mother has faced, as a result of her own struggle with the decision of whether to have children or not.
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𝗔𝗺 𝗜 𝗴𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝘁𝗼 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗻? 𝗜 𝗮𝗺 𝗴𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲, 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗹𝗲 𝗴𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗻 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝘆𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗳𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝘀, 𝗱𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗲𝗮 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗮 𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲, 𝘄𝗵𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝗯𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗳𝗹𝗼𝘄𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗺𝘆 𝘃𝗲𝗶𝗻𝘀.
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There are a number of other mounting pressures that Lia is trying to navigate and manage on her own, and a real sense of building tension.
Some of the pressure is time focussed; both a sense of running out of time (and not just in relation to the baby question); and some pressure comes from a sense of time passing too slowly, waiting for her partner who is due to come home.
Even in regard to relationships, comparison is such a thief of joy for Lia.
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𝗕𝘂𝘁 𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗶𝘁 𝗼𝗰𝗰𝘂𝗿𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗮 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗿𝗱 𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲 𝘁𝗼𝗼, 𝗮 𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲 𝗜'𝘃𝗲 𝗿𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗹𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁, 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝗿𝗲𝘁, 𝗯𝗲𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗱 𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲, 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝘀𝗵𝗲 𝗮𝘀𝗸𝘀 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳 𝘼𝙢 𝙄 𝙛𝙪𝙡𝙛𝙞𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙙? 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝙃𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙄 𝙙𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙚𝙣𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝? 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗻𝗼 𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗺𝗮𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝗮𝘆 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝘀𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗯𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗵𝗲𝗿, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗳𝗶𝗹𝗹𝘀 𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗲𝘁 𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗜'𝗺 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗮𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱
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One detail I loved in the plot was Lia's shock at finding out that even her party animal friend was way ahead of her in thinking about what she wanted for her future.
Lia isn't the most likable character in some ways, and she makes a lot of assumptions about others. With her friend Meg she felt a sense of safety, as though she wasn't really being left behind by all those other friends who are settling down and having babies.
But we can never truly know all about another person, even if we think we do. Lia needs to find validation from within herself, instead of seeking it out from everyone around her, and to make a decision that is right for her and her alone.
Her body, her choice, and everyone should have the right to decide.
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𝗜 𝘀𝘂𝗱𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗹𝘆 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘂𝗿𝗴𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝘀𝗸 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗼𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸𝘀 𝗜 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱, 𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗵𝗶𝗺 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝗺𝗲 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗻𝘀𝘄𝗲𝗿, 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝗰𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗺𝘆 𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀. 𝗛𝗲 𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗸𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘀𝗲. 𝗠𝗮𝘆𝗯𝗲 𝗶𝘁'𝘀 𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗵𝗼'𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗲𝗿.
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Overall I enjoyed Fledging. If you like literary books - especially focussed on motherhood, and that reflect on womens' supposed place in society - you'll probably really enjoy this.
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𝗙𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵𝘀 𝗮𝗴𝗼. 𝗠𝘆 𝗯𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗱, 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗴𝗶𝗿𝗹 𝗜'𝗱 𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗰𝗿𝗮𝘆𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 - 𝗿𝗮𝗶𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝘄𝗼𝗼𝗱𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗲 - 𝘀𝗽𝗶𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘆 𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘀 - 𝗺𝗮𝗱𝗲-𝗯𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗲𝘃𝗲 𝗱𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗼𝗻𝘀 - 𝗳𝗮𝗸𝗲-𝗯𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵, 𝘁𝗼𝗹𝗱 𝗺𝗲 𝘀𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗻𝗮𝗻𝘁.
𝗪𝗮𝘀 𝗶𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗲𝗴𝗴 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝘁𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗲?
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Fledging is such an interesting novella.
At first, when Lia lays an egg, I thought it was simply an allegory for all of the pressures she had suppressed, which always find a way out some way, whether mentally or somatically.
But in the book, the egg is a literal and physical object that she expels from her body and decides to take care of.
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𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝘁 𝗶𝘀, 𝗶𝘁'𝘀 𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗵𝗶𝘁𝗲. 𝗜 𝘄𝗶𝘀𝗵 𝗜 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗰𝗲 𝗶𝘁 𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲, 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝘃𝗼𝗺𝗶𝘁. 𝗕𝘂𝘁 𝗶𝘁 𝘀𝗲𝗲𝗺𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗵𝗮𝘀 𝗯𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼𝗼 𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴.
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Lia herself is a very interesting character.
I think readers might feel divided on whether they believe her to be lonely, or independent. Lia herself doesn't always seem to know.
She is a musician, and tries to find time to prioritise her interest in music and songwriting, but at the same time can be her own worst enemy with procrastination, even before the egg comes along.
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𝗗𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗱 𝗮𝗹𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝘀𝗲𝗲𝗺𝘀 𝘀𝗼 𝘀𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗱. 𝗜 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝘀𝗸 𝗵𝗶𝗺 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗲𝘀 𝗵𝗶𝗺 𝘀𝗮𝗱.
𝗔𝗻𝗱 𝗜 𝘄𝗶𝘀𝗵 𝗜 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗵𝗶𝗺, 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗲𝘁, 𝘄𝗮𝗹𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘂𝗽𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗱𝗼𝘄𝗻.
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Her internal debate about motherhood and whether to have children is a central theme of the novel. Many readers, particularly women, will feel an affinity with Lia in relation to this toing and froing, as there are so many societal pressures (even in this day and age) to conform and procreate.
The details surrounding women's health, and how doctors completely shy away from certain procedures due to fertility concerns, even where they may be quick and effective in treating other issues, was particularly poignant.
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𝗜 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗼𝗳 𝗠𝘂𝗺, 𝗜 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗼𝗳 𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀. 𝗜 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗼𝗳 𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗻 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀. 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗻. 𝗜 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗼𝗳 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝗲𝗴𝗴𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗼𝘃𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗲𝘁𝘂𝘀, 𝘀𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗺𝗲, 𝗻𝗼 𝘄𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝗮 𝗵𝗮𝗶𝗿, 𝗵𝗮𝘀 𝗲𝘅𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗺𝘆 𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗰𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗼𝗺𝗯 𝗼𝗳 𝗺𝘆 𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿.
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Lia's unsurety seems to also stem from a sense of not truly knowing who she is, and not having a full sense of her place in the world.
She has so many interactions with her mother that are tender and revealing about her concerns, and I really felt for her in these moments.
She recognises the struggles and limitations her mother has faced, as a result of her own struggle with the decision of whether to have children or not.
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𝗔𝗺 𝗜 𝗴𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝘁𝗼 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗻? 𝗜 𝗮𝗺 𝗴𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲, 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗹𝗲 𝗴𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗻 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝘆𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗳𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝘀, 𝗱𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗲𝗮 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗮 𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲, 𝘄𝗵𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝗯𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗳𝗹𝗼𝘄𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗺𝘆 𝘃𝗲𝗶𝗻𝘀.
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There are a number of other mounting pressures that Lia is trying to navigate and manage on her own, and a real sense of building tension.
Some of the pressure is time focussed; both a sense of running out of time (and not just in relation to the baby question); and some pressure comes from a sense of time passing too slowly, waiting for her partner who is due to come home.
Even in regard to relationships, comparison is such a thief of joy for Lia.
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𝗕𝘂𝘁 𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗶𝘁 𝗼𝗰𝗰𝘂𝗿𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗮 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗿𝗱 𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲 𝘁𝗼𝗼, 𝗮 𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲 𝗜'𝘃𝗲 𝗿𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗹𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁, 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝗿𝗲𝘁, 𝗯𝗲𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗱 𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲, 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝘀𝗵𝗲 𝗮𝘀𝗸𝘀 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳 𝘼𝙢 𝙄 𝙛𝙪𝙡𝙛𝙞𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙙? 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝙃𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙄 𝙙𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙚𝙣𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝? 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗻𝗼 𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗺𝗮𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝗮𝘆 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝘀𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗯𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗵𝗲𝗿, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗳𝗶𝗹𝗹𝘀 𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗲𝘁 𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗜'𝗺 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗮𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱
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One detail I loved in the plot was Lia's shock at finding out that even her party animal friend was way ahead of her in thinking about what she wanted for her future.
Lia isn't the most likable character in some ways, and she makes a lot of assumptions about others. With her friend Meg she felt a sense of safety, as though she wasn't really being left behind by all those other friends who are settling down and having babies.
But we can never truly know all about another person, even if we think we do. Lia needs to find validation from within herself, instead of seeking it out from everyone around her, and to make a decision that is right for her and her alone.
Her body, her choice, and everyone should have the right to decide.
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𝗜 𝘀𝘂𝗱𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗹𝘆 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘂𝗿𝗴𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝘀𝗸 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗼𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸𝘀 𝗜 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱, 𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗵𝗶𝗺 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝗺𝗲 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗻𝘀𝘄𝗲𝗿, 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝗰𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗺𝘆 𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀. 𝗛𝗲 𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗸𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘀𝗲. 𝗠𝗮𝘆𝗯𝗲 𝗶𝘁'𝘀 𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗵𝗼'𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗲𝗿.
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Overall I enjoyed Fledging. If you like literary books - especially focussed on motherhood, and that reflect on womens' supposed place in society - you'll probably really enjoy this.
February 15, 2025
Wonderful and compelling novel exploring women's ownership of their bodies and their right to choose whether or not they want (or should have) children. My only critique is I wanted even more of the story! This could easily be adapated into a drama or short film.
September 14, 2024
Lia is in a quandary at her age shouldn’t she be having children? She and David have discussed it, not coming to any conclusion. Now David is away on a scholarship so it’s a discussion for another day.
Lia’s friend Safa is expecting and will soon become a mum. That will be two friends as Dimitri is already a father. Is this why she’s thinking so much about it? Having children. Or is it because of the pain she has been having? Or her mother?
None of this addresses the issue of the egg! Fledgling opens as Lia is gripped with pain and gives birth to an egg! What does it mean? What should she do? Who can she tell?
What a strange world we have entered with Lia. Lia a songwriter who earns a living from spreadsheets. If she doesn’t make it in the songwriting industry then what will she have done with her life? Only she will care.
If she doesn’t become a mother what will she have done with her life? Choosing not to have children will that make her life less? Why are women perceived as ‘less’ if they don’t have children? The pressure of family, society, men, friends, themselves there is so much more to consider but why? Why should so many more care whether a woman chooses to have children, or not? What has it to do with them?
This is a brilliantly written book that takes the preposterous situation of Lia giving birth to an egg to put perspective on a real life dilemma. This allegorical tale is a story that has a very important point to make. Yes, Fledgling is a story about choice, the right to choose. A woman’s right to choose whether or not to be a mother and importantly that whichever choice is made it is a valid one. You are not less – either way.
I loved the relationship between Lia and her mother. They both know that her mother hasn’t long to live and Lia has a question about her grandmother. It’s a question that is difficult to ask as her mother has always avoided answering. This is very well handled through the book and brings a different perspective on motherhood. On how becoming a mother, perhaps unexpectedly but certainly when it comes unwanted, affects the child and the mother/child relationship.
Lia’s relationship with her friends is used to highlight the options if you will. Lia, Safa, Dimitri, Meg and Jess each is different. The way someone is expected to have or not have children doesn’t mean that this is that person’s choice. We are all different and the decisions we make are not, or shouldn’t be, based on what others think.
As for what we have done with our life is it always the big things that we should be measured by? Becoming famous, climbing the ladder in work, becoming a mother? Or is it simply the way we behave? Caring for others, being kind and loving. As Lia was when introducing Safa to Dimitri.
What about all those who toil at unglamorous jobs? Those jobs are often some of the most important yet financially least recognised. Monetary rewards don’t always reflect the real value of a job and often are not possible but there are other ways to show appreciation and value. A woman who chooses to not have children is as important as one who chooses to have them. Each can be appreciated, respected and acknowledged as contributing towards society in a positive way.
Fledgling is a wonderful story, original in concept and execution it is beautifully, sensitively written. It deserves to be read widely. I hope it gets the recognition it deserves and flies off the shelves.
BlogTour – thanks
My heartfelt thanks to Will at Renard Press for an advance reading copy along with an invitation to read and share my thoughts on Fledgling by Rose Diell.
Lia’s friend Safa is expecting and will soon become a mum. That will be two friends as Dimitri is already a father. Is this why she’s thinking so much about it? Having children. Or is it because of the pain she has been having? Or her mother?
None of this addresses the issue of the egg! Fledgling opens as Lia is gripped with pain and gives birth to an egg! What does it mean? What should she do? Who can she tell?
What a strange world we have entered with Lia. Lia a songwriter who earns a living from spreadsheets. If she doesn’t make it in the songwriting industry then what will she have done with her life? Only she will care.
If she doesn’t become a mother what will she have done with her life? Choosing not to have children will that make her life less? Why are women perceived as ‘less’ if they don’t have children? The pressure of family, society, men, friends, themselves there is so much more to consider but why? Why should so many more care whether a woman chooses to have children, or not? What has it to do with them?
This is a brilliantly written book that takes the preposterous situation of Lia giving birth to an egg to put perspective on a real life dilemma. This allegorical tale is a story that has a very important point to make. Yes, Fledgling is a story about choice, the right to choose. A woman’s right to choose whether or not to be a mother and importantly that whichever choice is made it is a valid one. You are not less – either way.
I loved the relationship between Lia and her mother. They both know that her mother hasn’t long to live and Lia has a question about her grandmother. It’s a question that is difficult to ask as her mother has always avoided answering. This is very well handled through the book and brings a different perspective on motherhood. On how becoming a mother, perhaps unexpectedly but certainly when it comes unwanted, affects the child and the mother/child relationship.
Lia’s relationship with her friends is used to highlight the options if you will. Lia, Safa, Dimitri, Meg and Jess each is different. The way someone is expected to have or not have children doesn’t mean that this is that person’s choice. We are all different and the decisions we make are not, or shouldn’t be, based on what others think.
As for what we have done with our life is it always the big things that we should be measured by? Becoming famous, climbing the ladder in work, becoming a mother? Or is it simply the way we behave? Caring for others, being kind and loving. As Lia was when introducing Safa to Dimitri.
What about all those who toil at unglamorous jobs? Those jobs are often some of the most important yet financially least recognised. Monetary rewards don’t always reflect the real value of a job and often are not possible but there are other ways to show appreciation and value. A woman who chooses to not have children is as important as one who chooses to have them. Each can be appreciated, respected and acknowledged as contributing towards society in a positive way.
Fledgling is a wonderful story, original in concept and execution it is beautifully, sensitively written. It deserves to be read widely. I hope it gets the recognition it deserves and flies off the shelves.
BlogTour – thanks
My heartfelt thanks to Will at Renard Press for an advance reading copy along with an invitation to read and share my thoughts on Fledgling by Rose Diell.
June 18, 2025
This was a bizarre tale.
I absolutely loved the written language. Phrases like these sound beautifully poetic to me:
"... sobs building in my chest, like an electric kettle ready to boil"
"... or maybe this whole thing is a dream, reality frying at the edges"
"...I picture myself, frozen in time, limbs frosted stiff with ice, stuck for ever in a tundra-like wasteland of indecision".
The way the worries and pain of making a baby decision is presented (a colleague who can't seem to get pregnant, a friend who froze eggs just in case) including the worries of the main character herself, I felt, were very well described.
But I also felt borderline annoyed that the main character got so attached to some fantastic bird to the point that she was choosing between the bird and her sick mom. I kept wanting to shake her and tell her to just bring the bird to a rescue.
Also, why did a guy at the vet clinic got scared if this bird?....
I absolutely loved the written language. Phrases like these sound beautifully poetic to me:
"... sobs building in my chest, like an electric kettle ready to boil"
"... or maybe this whole thing is a dream, reality frying at the edges"
"...I picture myself, frozen in time, limbs frosted stiff with ice, stuck for ever in a tundra-like wasteland of indecision".
The way the worries and pain of making a baby decision is presented (a colleague who can't seem to get pregnant, a friend who froze eggs just in case) including the worries of the main character herself, I felt, were very well described.
But I also felt borderline annoyed that the main character got so attached to some fantastic bird to the point that she was choosing between the bird and her sick mom. I kept wanting to shake her and tell her to just bring the bird to a rescue.
Also, why did a guy at the vet clinic got scared if this bird?....
April 2, 2025
I’ve been excited to get to this one ever since the author kindly sent it our way, and after Rhi’s review, I knew I had to bump it up the pile! I was especially curious to see how we’d both connect with it, given its focus on motherhood a.k.a my absolute favorite topic.
Protagonist Lia is in a strange, in-between phase of life, her partner is away on tour, her career feels uncertain, and her mother is seriously ill. Then, one day, she lays an egg. Yes, an actual egg. It sounds surreal, but the egg becomes a striking metaphor for female choice, motherhood, and the weight of societal and personal expectations.
Lia doesn’t know what to do with the egg. At first, she ignores it. Then she starts taking care of it. But she never fully commits to the idea of it hatching. It’s such a complex and very human reaction, she feels protective of it but also fears what it represents. At the same time, she’s navigating her complicated relationship with her mother, who made sacrifices to raise a child, something Lia isn’t sure she wants at all.
Now, as someone who never had any doubts about wanting children, I wasn’t sure how much I’d personally resonate with Lia’s story. But as my eldest two rapidly approach the ‘fledging’ stage themselves, I had an emotional reaction to this book that completely caught me off guard. On days when it’s hard to squeeze even one hug out of them, I find myself longing for those moments when they would snuggle up for a cuddle. And while I’m not facing the same decisions as Lia, I am facing a changing relationship with my children. Strangely, this book gave me a real sense of comfort, reminding me of the freedom that comes when the eggs you’ve nurtured finally hatch and start spreading their wings.
And that’s what I loved so much about it. It’s not just about the possibility of becoming a mother, it’s about the fluid, ever-shifting nature of the relationship between mother and child. There are subtle, heartbreaking parallels between Lia’s hesitancy toward the egg and her mother’s quiet grief as she watches Lia grow up and move away from the life she once envisioned for her. I am right in the middle of that painful, bittersweet moment when teenage children begin to pull away, becoming their own people. The loneliness in Lia’s mother (that unspoken sense of loss) felt so real to me.
And that’s the beauty of Fledging. It’s not just about choice. It’s about the fragile, emotional process of letting go, of figuring out who you are when the roles and relationships you’ve always known begin to shift, whether or not you choose to become a mother, and whether or not you even have the choice.
It’s thought-provoking, surreal, and deeply moving, and for such a small book, it really packs a punch.
Protagonist Lia is in a strange, in-between phase of life, her partner is away on tour, her career feels uncertain, and her mother is seriously ill. Then, one day, she lays an egg. Yes, an actual egg. It sounds surreal, but the egg becomes a striking metaphor for female choice, motherhood, and the weight of societal and personal expectations.
Lia doesn’t know what to do with the egg. At first, she ignores it. Then she starts taking care of it. But she never fully commits to the idea of it hatching. It’s such a complex and very human reaction, she feels protective of it but also fears what it represents. At the same time, she’s navigating her complicated relationship with her mother, who made sacrifices to raise a child, something Lia isn’t sure she wants at all.
Now, as someone who never had any doubts about wanting children, I wasn’t sure how much I’d personally resonate with Lia’s story. But as my eldest two rapidly approach the ‘fledging’ stage themselves, I had an emotional reaction to this book that completely caught me off guard. On days when it’s hard to squeeze even one hug out of them, I find myself longing for those moments when they would snuggle up for a cuddle. And while I’m not facing the same decisions as Lia, I am facing a changing relationship with my children. Strangely, this book gave me a real sense of comfort, reminding me of the freedom that comes when the eggs you’ve nurtured finally hatch and start spreading their wings.
And that’s what I loved so much about it. It’s not just about the possibility of becoming a mother, it’s about the fluid, ever-shifting nature of the relationship between mother and child. There are subtle, heartbreaking parallels between Lia’s hesitancy toward the egg and her mother’s quiet grief as she watches Lia grow up and move away from the life she once envisioned for her. I am right in the middle of that painful, bittersweet moment when teenage children begin to pull away, becoming their own people. The loneliness in Lia’s mother (that unspoken sense of loss) felt so real to me.
And that’s the beauty of Fledging. It’s not just about choice. It’s about the fragile, emotional process of letting go, of figuring out who you are when the roles and relationships you’ve always known begin to shift, whether or not you choose to become a mother, and whether or not you even have the choice.
It’s thought-provoking, surreal, and deeply moving, and for such a small book, it really packs a punch.
January 20, 2025
Kindly gifted to us by the author, Fledging piqued my interest from the moment I heard the premise. I knew it was a book that I was either going to love, or was going to heighten my anxiety ten fold! I’m happy to report it was the former and here’s why…
Fledging is the story of Lia, a woman of a certain age that is very much surrounded by the baby question. All her friends are having kids, does that mean she should be having one too? Is she willing to put her career on hold? She has a sick mother to take care of and her long term partner, a musician, is often away from home, so the responsibility is not really something she needs or wants. Does she? Then she lays an egg and so begins her anxiety addled journey of decision making.
This was such a quirky take on a topic that has plagued my brain for the last few years. To say this story was relatable (egg laying aside) would be a gross understatement. Lia was a wholly likeable and believable protagonist who was definitely speaking my language. It’s a book that doesn’t seek to provide answers, as the answer to this question is of course completely personal. But it is a book that made me feel seen, heard and understood. It gives gravitas to all the conflicting feelings a lot of women feel when pondering whether motherhood is for them.
The wildness of the egg laying might sound bizarre, but honestly it worked wonderfully. It’s beautifully written, sensitive, relatable and definitely original. A fab little book and I happily gave it 5 🌟s!
Fledging is the story of Lia, a woman of a certain age that is very much surrounded by the baby question. All her friends are having kids, does that mean she should be having one too? Is she willing to put her career on hold? She has a sick mother to take care of and her long term partner, a musician, is often away from home, so the responsibility is not really something she needs or wants. Does she? Then she lays an egg and so begins her anxiety addled journey of decision making.
This was such a quirky take on a topic that has plagued my brain for the last few years. To say this story was relatable (egg laying aside) would be a gross understatement. Lia was a wholly likeable and believable protagonist who was definitely speaking my language. It’s a book that doesn’t seek to provide answers, as the answer to this question is of course completely personal. But it is a book that made me feel seen, heard and understood. It gives gravitas to all the conflicting feelings a lot of women feel when pondering whether motherhood is for them.
The wildness of the egg laying might sound bizarre, but honestly it worked wonderfully. It’s beautifully written, sensitive, relatable and definitely original. A fab little book and I happily gave it 5 🌟s!
November 17, 2024
Lia, a Londoner with a Twist (of Feathers): What the Cluck?
Meet Lia: your average London gal... until ... cue an existential crisis with a side of feathers as Lia tries to figure out what’s happening, all while navigating life’s other curveballs.
One of the best parts of the story is how Lia carries the new addition in her life around like it’s her cross to bear—both figuratively and literally. It’s absurd, touching, and oh-so-human. And when she’s away from them? She feels this weird, primal pull. It’s a bizarre but deeply tender metaphor for the complexities of motherhood, identity, and connection.
Lia’s life is relatable because let’s face it: who hasn’t felt like they’re being pulled in 17 different directions at once? Trying to be the perfect partner, career woman, creative genius, AND potential parent? We’ve all been there. That’s why Fledging feels like a universal anthem for women, whether they want kids, are unsure, or are just trying to survive another Monday.
Meet Lia: your average London gal... until ... cue an existential crisis with a side of feathers as Lia tries to figure out what’s happening, all while navigating life’s other curveballs.
One of the best parts of the story is how Lia carries the new addition in her life around like it’s her cross to bear—both figuratively and literally. It’s absurd, touching, and oh-so-human. And when she’s away from them? She feels this weird, primal pull. It’s a bizarre but deeply tender metaphor for the complexities of motherhood, identity, and connection.
Lia’s life is relatable because let’s face it: who hasn’t felt like they’re being pulled in 17 different directions at once? Trying to be the perfect partner, career woman, creative genius, AND potential parent? We’ve all been there. That’s why Fledging feels like a universal anthem for women, whether they want kids, are unsure, or are just trying to survive another Monday.
May 6, 2025
A surreal idea that develops so naturally as you read along that it becomes totally believable! This is an important topic for mothers and non-mothers alike, whether child-less, child-free, child-blessed or child-overwhelmed something in this book will resonate with you. Thought provoking and very engaging read!
February 7, 2025
I’m so glad I picked this up in the library. It explores the pressure on young women to have kids and the expectation that they’ll want them. Highly original, nicely written, and very relatable - whether you have kids or not. Sensitive and heart warming
June 21, 2024
Really enjoyed reading fledging. It covers a topic close to most women and written so beautifully. It was really hard to put the book down.
November 11, 2024
i’ve been in a reading slump but this pulled me out eventually. it was a refreshing read, very poetic and interesting about if having children or not
January 7, 2025
Beautifully written; original; thought provoking and cerebral. What a clever and relevant book.
August 26, 2024
Lia is at a crossroads in her life. Should she continue to pursue her dream to be a songwriter, or follow the example of so many of her friends and put her energy into having a baby? With her mother having been diagnosed with a terminal illness, and the inevitability of a ticking body clock, she is feeling extra pressure to make a decision before time runs out.
One January morning, while her musician husband is on tour on the other side of the world, Lia lays an egg. She does not know what to do. The necessity of caring for the egg, and whatever it holds, cannot be ignored. But is she ready for this kind of responsibility?
Fledging is a beautifully written, allegorical novel from debut author Rose Diell, which follows songwriter Lia as she has to make big decisions, especially when it comes to choosing between motherhood or a childfree future.
Lia becomes the relatable focus of the motherhood question, and in highly original, speculative twist, the mounting pressure she feels to come to a decision is crystalised in the bizarre moment when she gives birth to an egg. While coping with negotiating her mother's illness, a long-distance relationship with her husband, health anxiety, conflicting advice from her friends, and an upturn in her career, she now has the egg to deal with. The egg cleverly represents the motherhood issue she has been struggling with, and the immediacy of her situation suddenly becomes very real. Somehow, she has to cope with the burden of caring for this vulnerable object while dealing with the push and pull of everything else that is going on in her life.
Diell takes Lia on a profoundly emotional journey before she makes her decision. She has a lot to consider practically and psychologically, and many aspects of the issues she faces are explored in sparse, but powerful prose. The notion of an egg may seem a bizarre way to probe the subject matter, but it works surprisingly well, and the unexpected connection Lia feels with the egg, and the bird that hatches from it, really pulls you into the story.
Diell writes with incredible insight and sensitivity about the tangled web of complex inner feelings and external pressures on women to decide whether motherhood is right for them - not to mention the increasingly loud tick of the body clock as the years go by. For a book that only spans 169 pages, I am impressed by how many aspects of the baby question she touches on - getting into sharply perceptive nitty gritty beyond feeling 'ready', and the expectation that motherhood is a natural progression for all women.
I particularly loved with the way Diell explores the power of legacy, and different iterations of 'motherhood' through the sections of the story about Lia and her mother. Nothing makes you think about your own life like being confronted with the prospect of death, and Lia's need to discover everything she can about her mother's family before it is too late is heartrending. The feelings she has about passing on what she has learned are examined well, and the conversations between mother and daughter really strike a chord if you have been through the loss of a parent.
I came to this book expecting it to be all about the right of a woman to be taken seriously when she decides to live a childfree life, but it is actually about the freedom to decide what is right for you, having your decisions respected, and not being pressured to follow expectation. It is a book for all women, whatever your view on the baby issue.
Diell's writing is gorgeous, and her ability to convey emotion through such an unusual concept is astonishing. I defy you not to be moved by this little gem.
One January morning, while her musician husband is on tour on the other side of the world, Lia lays an egg. She does not know what to do. The necessity of caring for the egg, and whatever it holds, cannot be ignored. But is she ready for this kind of responsibility?
Fledging is a beautifully written, allegorical novel from debut author Rose Diell, which follows songwriter Lia as she has to make big decisions, especially when it comes to choosing between motherhood or a childfree future.
Lia becomes the relatable focus of the motherhood question, and in highly original, speculative twist, the mounting pressure she feels to come to a decision is crystalised in the bizarre moment when she gives birth to an egg. While coping with negotiating her mother's illness, a long-distance relationship with her husband, health anxiety, conflicting advice from her friends, and an upturn in her career, she now has the egg to deal with. The egg cleverly represents the motherhood issue she has been struggling with, and the immediacy of her situation suddenly becomes very real. Somehow, she has to cope with the burden of caring for this vulnerable object while dealing with the push and pull of everything else that is going on in her life.
Diell takes Lia on a profoundly emotional journey before she makes her decision. She has a lot to consider practically and psychologically, and many aspects of the issues she faces are explored in sparse, but powerful prose. The notion of an egg may seem a bizarre way to probe the subject matter, but it works surprisingly well, and the unexpected connection Lia feels with the egg, and the bird that hatches from it, really pulls you into the story.
Diell writes with incredible insight and sensitivity about the tangled web of complex inner feelings and external pressures on women to decide whether motherhood is right for them - not to mention the increasingly loud tick of the body clock as the years go by. For a book that only spans 169 pages, I am impressed by how many aspects of the baby question she touches on - getting into sharply perceptive nitty gritty beyond feeling 'ready', and the expectation that motherhood is a natural progression for all women.
I particularly loved with the way Diell explores the power of legacy, and different iterations of 'motherhood' through the sections of the story about Lia and her mother. Nothing makes you think about your own life like being confronted with the prospect of death, and Lia's need to discover everything she can about her mother's family before it is too late is heartrending. The feelings she has about passing on what she has learned are examined well, and the conversations between mother and daughter really strike a chord if you have been through the loss of a parent.
I came to this book expecting it to be all about the right of a woman to be taken seriously when she decides to live a childfree life, but it is actually about the freedom to decide what is right for you, having your decisions respected, and not being pressured to follow expectation. It is a book for all women, whatever your view on the baby issue.
Diell's writing is gorgeous, and her ability to convey emotion through such an unusual concept is astonishing. I defy you not to be moved by this little gem.
September 1, 2024
Fledging is a quirky take on the motherhood dilemma. In this slim novel, 30-something Lia faces many of the typical situations of this age - changing friendships as people partner up and have kids, feeling stuck in your career, thwarted creative ambitions and, of course, the ticking biological clock. But things are a little more complicated for Lia than most 30-somethings. We enter a world of adult fairytale in the opening pages, as we discover that Lia has laid an egg. This eventually hatches into a baby bird - the fledging of the title. Dependent and vulnerable, Lia is bound to this creature that she neither expected nor wanted - yet she still feels an emotional connection to it and wants to ensure it’s cared for. It’s a charmingly surreal plot of how a woman, whilst struggling with the decision on whether or not to be a mother, attempts to look after a bird that she (or is it perhaps just her subconscious) has given birth to.
Many women who are ambivalent about motherhood find this life stage the hardest time to get through - the “will you, won’t you” thoughts that circle inside us as the window of opportunity closes; weighing up circumstances, relationships, finances against the regret we may feel. This gets especially muddled when friends start having children too - the pressure of social conformity confuses things even further. Rose Diell presents this conflict, and also how to come to a place of resolution, perfectly in the character of Lia.
Equally important is the relationship between Lia and her terminally ill mother - a woman who didn’t get the chance to live the life she wanted (Lia was an accidental pregnancy), but doesn’t regret having a child for a moment. Lia knows she is cutting the bonds that tie her to all the women who came before her if she chooses to be childfree but, ultimately, she has to make her own decision - and perhaps this experience of looking after this strange and needy bird will confirm what sort of life she wants to lead.
Many women who are ambivalent about motherhood find this life stage the hardest time to get through - the “will you, won’t you” thoughts that circle inside us as the window of opportunity closes; weighing up circumstances, relationships, finances against the regret we may feel. This gets especially muddled when friends start having children too - the pressure of social conformity confuses things even further. Rose Diell presents this conflict, and also how to come to a place of resolution, perfectly in the character of Lia.
Equally important is the relationship between Lia and her terminally ill mother - a woman who didn’t get the chance to live the life she wanted (Lia was an accidental pregnancy), but doesn’t regret having a child for a moment. Lia knows she is cutting the bonds that tie her to all the women who came before her if she chooses to be childfree but, ultimately, she has to make her own decision - and perhaps this experience of looking after this strange and needy bird will confirm what sort of life she wants to lead.
August 31, 2024
Wow… I was truly captivated by Rose Diell's Fledging, a beautifully written tale that explores the profound choices and personal struggles of a woman on the brink of a life-altering decision. How can such a short read have such an impact?
Meet Lia, a talented songwriter whose life takes an unexpected turn when she finds herself facing the unthinkable: an unplanned egg nestled in a nest of towels in her living room. Guess what…she physical birthed this egg… yes you read correctly! A human being birthed an egg.
However this isn’t just any egg, it’s a symbol of her deepest fears, desires, and the looming question of motherhood.
As Lia grapples with the physical and emotional turmoil of her situation, she is also contending with a whirlwind of external pressures: her partner is touring on the other side of the globe, and her mother’s terminal illness casts a heavy shadow over her choices. Her dreams of music and her imminent motherhood collide, forcing Lia to confront what truly matters in her life and what changes and choices need to be made for a happy future.
This short but impactful read challenges traditional narratives about motherhood and personal fulfilment. Lia’s journey is both unique and relatable, offering a fresh perspective on the often unspoken dilemmas faced by many women. This book, I would consider a self help because of the sort of message it provides.
Diell’s writing is lyrical and evocative. I was drawn into Lia’s internal struggle with empathy and grace. The emotional depth of the story will resonate long after you’ve turned the last page.
This Short story is a powerful exploration of a woman’s right to define her own path. It’s a celebration of the courage it takes to make choices that align with one’s true self, whether that means embracing motherhood or choosing a child-free life.
Meet Lia, a talented songwriter whose life takes an unexpected turn when she finds herself facing the unthinkable: an unplanned egg nestled in a nest of towels in her living room. Guess what…she physical birthed this egg… yes you read correctly! A human being birthed an egg.
However this isn’t just any egg, it’s a symbol of her deepest fears, desires, and the looming question of motherhood.
As Lia grapples with the physical and emotional turmoil of her situation, she is also contending with a whirlwind of external pressures: her partner is touring on the other side of the globe, and her mother’s terminal illness casts a heavy shadow over her choices. Her dreams of music and her imminent motherhood collide, forcing Lia to confront what truly matters in her life and what changes and choices need to be made for a happy future.
This short but impactful read challenges traditional narratives about motherhood and personal fulfilment. Lia’s journey is both unique and relatable, offering a fresh perspective on the often unspoken dilemmas faced by many women. This book, I would consider a self help because of the sort of message it provides.
Diell’s writing is lyrical and evocative. I was drawn into Lia’s internal struggle with empathy and grace. The emotional depth of the story will resonate long after you’ve turned the last page.
This Short story is a powerful exploration of a woman’s right to define her own path. It’s a celebration of the courage it takes to make choices that align with one’s true self, whether that means embracing motherhood or choosing a child-free life.
June 27, 2024
When you're still thinking about a book long after you've finished it then you know it was good!
this is a powerful book that looks at women and the choices they make, or feel forced to make, especially concerning motherhood. Lia is watching her friends becoming mothers and noticing how that changes the dynamics of their friendships and relationships. But what if you're not ready for that and have different dreams to follow? That's the dilemma Lia has, and that is confounded when she finds herself laying an egg - dare she tell anyone? would they think she was mad? But it brings out a maternal streak in her when the egg hatches but she is still really conflicted over what to do.
There's a deep look at the bond she shared with her own mother, who is now sick, and it is one of those books that makes you see how we're all different and have different lives to lead, even if society is telling you that you can have it all. The reality can be very different.
I loved watching the character wrestle with this huge quandry in her life and it's something most of us can relate to, and brings to the fore the age old debate of having children or living child free and what it means to be a mother. Highly recommended!
this is a powerful book that looks at women and the choices they make, or feel forced to make, especially concerning motherhood. Lia is watching her friends becoming mothers and noticing how that changes the dynamics of their friendships and relationships. But what if you're not ready for that and have different dreams to follow? That's the dilemma Lia has, and that is confounded when she finds herself laying an egg - dare she tell anyone? would they think she was mad? But it brings out a maternal streak in her when the egg hatches but she is still really conflicted over what to do.
There's a deep look at the bond she shared with her own mother, who is now sick, and it is one of those books that makes you see how we're all different and have different lives to lead, even if society is telling you that you can have it all. The reality can be very different.
I loved watching the character wrestle with this huge quandry in her life and it's something most of us can relate to, and brings to the fore the age old debate of having children or living child free and what it means to be a mother. Highly recommended!
October 13, 2025
Fledging by Rose Diell tells Lia’s story of laying an egg and her journey, trying to process what has happened and her way forward as she cares for the egg (and ultimately Bird as she hatches). At the same time, she is caring for her mother, and her partner is away on tour. You can feel the pressure that Lia is facing through her inner dialogue.
Fledging shares Lia’s relationship with her mother and learning more about her past and family as well as her colleagues and friendships who are each at different places in their lives: some who are about to be parents, recently parents, trying to be parents, or child-free.
The emotions and experiences that Lia faces are relatable to those of childbearing age, but the book can speak to readers across generations and for readers who have children as well as those who are child-free. It’s honest and the nuance of these experiences and choices shows that these questions about life are not easy. There is kaleidoscope of emotions, and Fledging showcases all of them through Lia’s story. At times, one may feel alone in trying to process these emotions and pressures, but this story shows that we are not.
The structure of the novel is succinctly delivered in three parts. Thought-provoking and unique, this book is compelling and originally written while discussing questions, pressures, expectations, and choices that are human and universal.
I was provided a copy of this book for free and am leaving an honest review.
Fledging shares Lia’s relationship with her mother and learning more about her past and family as well as her colleagues and friendships who are each at different places in their lives: some who are about to be parents, recently parents, trying to be parents, or child-free.
The emotions and experiences that Lia faces are relatable to those of childbearing age, but the book can speak to readers across generations and for readers who have children as well as those who are child-free. It’s honest and the nuance of these experiences and choices shows that these questions about life are not easy. There is kaleidoscope of emotions, and Fledging showcases all of them through Lia’s story. At times, one may feel alone in trying to process these emotions and pressures, but this story shows that we are not.
The structure of the novel is succinctly delivered in three parts. Thought-provoking and unique, this book is compelling and originally written while discussing questions, pressures, expectations, and choices that are human and universal.
I was provided a copy of this book for free and am leaving an honest review.
August 3, 2024
A smart, funny and pacy little read, particularly timely in light of the recent focus on childfree women in the political discourse.
Loved the quirky use of the egg to illustrate the protagonist’s dilemma around the profound question of whether to have children or not. As someone who has never had a doubt in my desire to have children and therefore not spent much time exploring why, I enjoyed this fascinating insight into Lia’s decision-making and the weight of it. The author also brings out beautifully the dynamic between the protagonist and others in her life, most notably her mother, and their approach to the children question.
Since reading this book, I’ve found myself spending more time wanting to explore this topic and understand better the lives and choices of childfree women.
Loved the quirky use of the egg to illustrate the protagonist’s dilemma around the profound question of whether to have children or not. As someone who has never had a doubt in my desire to have children and therefore not spent much time exploring why, I enjoyed this fascinating insight into Lia’s decision-making and the weight of it. The author also brings out beautifully the dynamic between the protagonist and others in her life, most notably her mother, and their approach to the children question.
Since reading this book, I’ve found myself spending more time wanting to explore this topic and understand better the lives and choices of childfree women.
September 27, 2024
a thought provoking reflection on childbearing - concise, compelling, and nuanced. the author breadcrumbs ideas, effectively developing the main character while provoking a parallel ideological back-and-forth in the mind of the reader.
it should be noted that i am a male, one who has pondered the question of having a child in my own way; this book touched on many of those ideas tactfully, which allowed me to identify with the female protagonist (of course, these ideas are far more cohesive and fleshed out than my own musings). while i lack the subjective experience of biological urgency and the cultural indoctrination that comes with it, i found value in the perspective while also finding ideas i could identify with. that's not easy when dealing with a subject like this. bravo!
highly recommended!
it should be noted that i am a male, one who has pondered the question of having a child in my own way; this book touched on many of those ideas tactfully, which allowed me to identify with the female protagonist (of course, these ideas are far more cohesive and fleshed out than my own musings). while i lack the subjective experience of biological urgency and the cultural indoctrination that comes with it, i found value in the perspective while also finding ideas i could identify with. that's not easy when dealing with a subject like this. bravo!
highly recommended!
September 14, 2024
Fleging is a fascinating and brilliantly crafted story on a topic that weighs heavily on many. The use of an out of this world scenario, combined with a very real scenario, effortlessly demonstrates Lia's decision-making process. Rose Diell carries you through Lia's journey tactfully with many thought-provoking moments. The little nuggets of comedy were an added bonus, and the emotions that the book conjures are well balanced. Even if the motherhood question is not one that you face, Lia's story is told in such a way that it will add depth to your understanding of what those around you might be experiencing. In addition, Lia's experience is relatable in a multitude of ways that I believe it will reach and resonate with many. I highly recommend this unique and captivating read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 14, 2024
This is an unusual read, but one I wont forget in a hurry for the right reasons.
The concept of a "normal" woman giving birth to an egg baffled me to start with, but as the story progressed, I felt it was a clever and smart way to discuss women's issues and surprised myself in finding this relatable, topical and one for discussion.
This would make a wonderful book club read. Its writing is sharp and I was eager to see where this was going to go.
Impactful.
The concept of a "normal" woman giving birth to an egg baffled me to start with, but as the story progressed, I felt it was a clever and smart way to discuss women's issues and surprised myself in finding this relatable, topical and one for discussion.
This would make a wonderful book club read. Its writing is sharp and I was eager to see where this was going to go.
Impactful.
October 18, 2024
What a deeply original and thought provoking story. I loved it. Whether you have/want children or not, Fledging will expand your thinking about what it means to be or not to be a mother (or parent, as I think men can also find meaning in the story), and the myriad ways in which we all seek purpose in our lives. Highly recommendable.
October 15, 2025
Somehow this tale of fiction is startlingly REAL for any woman who is surrounded by baby-bearers and asking (or being asked) the million dollar question - what about kids?
Quick novel and straight to the point with the opening scene. I loved it and gobbled it up in a smattering of days. Nicely done, Rose!
Quick novel and straight to the point with the opening scene. I loved it and gobbled it up in a smattering of days. Nicely done, Rose!
September 7, 2024
What a premise. 'When Lia lays an egg she doesn't know what to do.' In all honesty, I wasn't sure if this book might be a little bit out of my comfort zone but I thought it was a brilliant read.
Lia is at that age when the pressure is on to decide whether she wants to have children. Her internal clock is ticking away but when the time comes for the alarm to sound she doesn't know if she will spring into action or simply turn over and go back to sleep, carrying on as she always has. It doesn't help that her friends, her mother, her partner, all keep asking her what she wants.
Fledging begins with Lia birthing an egg and from the very first page this is a compelling and honest look at the big question that women face. She's also dealing with her mother's terminal illness and her partner, David, is working away for months so she's on her own with this existential crisis whilst trying to launch a career in songwriting.
Rose Diell writes beautifully of Lia's relationships with both her mother and the contents of the egg. The themes explored truly consider choice, the weight of expectation, and motherhood and whether it is simply a woman's role in life to procreate, in a thoroughly convincing way. This unusual and original novella of 172 pages packs a mighty punch, serving up a surreal event within the confines of a normal life. I'll be looking out for more by this talented author.
Lia is at that age when the pressure is on to decide whether she wants to have children. Her internal clock is ticking away but when the time comes for the alarm to sound she doesn't know if she will spring into action or simply turn over and go back to sleep, carrying on as she always has. It doesn't help that her friends, her mother, her partner, all keep asking her what she wants.
Fledging begins with Lia birthing an egg and from the very first page this is a compelling and honest look at the big question that women face. She's also dealing with her mother's terminal illness and her partner, David, is working away for months so she's on her own with this existential crisis whilst trying to launch a career in songwriting.
Rose Diell writes beautifully of Lia's relationships with both her mother and the contents of the egg. The themes explored truly consider choice, the weight of expectation, and motherhood and whether it is simply a woman's role in life to procreate, in a thoroughly convincing way. This unusual and original novella of 172 pages packs a mighty punch, serving up a surreal event within the confines of a normal life. I'll be looking out for more by this talented author.
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