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Swaying
Charlotte has one desire in life - she wants a daughter. But you can't choose what you have... can you?
Desire soon turns to obsession as Charlotte embarks on a difficult and controversial journey to sway the odds to have a girl.
How far is she prepared to go, and at what cost?
Desire soon turns to obsession as Charlotte embarks on a difficult and controversial journey to sway the odds to have a girl.
How far is she prepared to go, and at what cost?
348 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 5, 2015
24 people are currently reading
569 people want to read
About the author
Lucinda Blanchard
1 book55 followersLucinda Blanchard was born, raised and still lives on the Isle of Wight, apart from a few months backpacking in Australia in her 20s.
She is married with three young children.
Swaying is her debut novel.
Readers can find Lucinda:
Amazon http://mybook.to/swaying
FB https://www.facebook.com/LBlanchAuthor/
Pinterest https://uk.pinterest.com/LBlanchAuthor/
Twitter https://twitter.com/LBlanchAuthor
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/lblanchauthor/
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She is married with three young children.
Swaying is her debut novel.
Readers can find Lucinda:
Amazon http://mybook.to/swaying
FB https://www.facebook.com/LBlanchAuthor/
Pinterest https://uk.pinterest.com/LBlanchAuthor/
Twitter https://twitter.com/LBlanchAuthor
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/lblanchauthor/
Video ad: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Y4vN...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
May 18, 2020
Wow! What a tremendously good first novel and it has a special place on my list this year. It's my 222nd book read and reviewed which was my book read target for 2016!It deserves a special spot too. It is also in my list of shortlisted books for my Top Ten Books of 2016.
This book impacted me emotionally in a big way. Oh boy! What a roller coaster of feelings as I journeyed side by side with the characters in this special book.I felt anger, disgust, frustration, shock, worry, sadness, grief, fear, surprise and in two places this book made me cry. Less than 5 books in my lifetime of reading thousands have moved me that much.
Swaying. Heard of it? No, me neither. Swaying is numerous different methods of trying to sway your body into conceiving a girl or boy. To try to influence the final outcome. For some, including our main star Charlotte this becomes an obsession. It totally stunned me the lengths that she would go to AND that in real life there are women chatting on forums about their methods, tips, plans, desires and heartbreak.
All because a mother desperately wants one gender over another. This goes beyond just hoping for a happy healthy baby. Happiness depends on the sex of the baby. Shockingly I entered a world where if the wrong sex is conceived, sometimes that baby is discarded. Faulty, useless, the wrong gender.
Oh man! I felt anger and annoyance at some of these women. I wanted to bang their heads together. Yet the author still managed to have me feel empathy and compassion for them. Astonishing. It's a book where, like me, you might fluctuate on how you feel about most characters.
Charlotte is married to Ian and her obsession with Swaying permeates every single waking moment of their lives. Can you imagine? The sheer intensity of that. Sometimes with obsession comes a price to pay.That price can be really high. This is a book that tackles real human emotions - raw and exposed.
It covers friendships and their influence on us, both good and bad and how we go through so much with close friends. It's HARD to still hold your best friend's hand when they make life choices you are opposed to. Very hard. It's all in this book.
Written with a flowing pen and an easy to read and absorb style, Swaying pulled me in and I picked up the book to read at every opportunity I got. The cats woke me for food at 4am. Who cares? I'm awake now - I can see what's happening in the book! I finished this one very quickly.
This is a book I highly and eagerly recommend for book clubs as discussion about it will be lively and no doubt opinions will be different. It tackles issues of ethics, morals, choices, love, betrayal, heartbreak, joy, life and death. I'm going to be sure it's read in my new "real life" book group I'm starting in January 2017.
What a journey this was. Lucinda researched her stuff about gender swaying, I got an education from that. I had no idea people did this! I had no idea the gender of a baby was so important to someone that they'll go to extreme lengths to get what they want. My heart broke for the babies who were the "not wanted gender". Holy crap. Imagine. Takes us into some cultures in other countries but this book is set in the United Kingdom.
Pop this book in your to-read list. Better yet, it's for sale right now on Amazon. Buy it for a Christmas gift for your best friend, your mum, your sister, your grandmother. This is a wonderful yet challenging women's fiction novel.
An easy 5 stars from me for Swaying. I took far too long to read it but I'm glad it's got that special 222nd spot! Any books I read between now and 31st December are bonus reads. Loved this novel!
I received a copy of this book from the author, who waited patiently for her turn amongst the millions of books I read. I got a little nudge now and then. I'm glad of that. All review opinions are my own and this is a totally unbiased book review.
Oh! I adore the cover of this book too. Perfect fit once you've read the book. So, who is going to read it? Hands up?
This book impacted me emotionally in a big way. Oh boy! What a roller coaster of feelings as I journeyed side by side with the characters in this special book.I felt anger, disgust, frustration, shock, worry, sadness, grief, fear, surprise and in two places this book made me cry. Less than 5 books in my lifetime of reading thousands have moved me that much.
Swaying. Heard of it? No, me neither. Swaying is numerous different methods of trying to sway your body into conceiving a girl or boy. To try to influence the final outcome. For some, including our main star Charlotte this becomes an obsession. It totally stunned me the lengths that she would go to AND that in real life there are women chatting on forums about their methods, tips, plans, desires and heartbreak.
All because a mother desperately wants one gender over another. This goes beyond just hoping for a happy healthy baby. Happiness depends on the sex of the baby. Shockingly I entered a world where if the wrong sex is conceived, sometimes that baby is discarded. Faulty, useless, the wrong gender.
Oh man! I felt anger and annoyance at some of these women. I wanted to bang their heads together. Yet the author still managed to have me feel empathy and compassion for them. Astonishing. It's a book where, like me, you might fluctuate on how you feel about most characters.
Charlotte is married to Ian and her obsession with Swaying permeates every single waking moment of their lives. Can you imagine? The sheer intensity of that. Sometimes with obsession comes a price to pay.That price can be really high. This is a book that tackles real human emotions - raw and exposed.
It covers friendships and their influence on us, both good and bad and how we go through so much with close friends. It's HARD to still hold your best friend's hand when they make life choices you are opposed to. Very hard. It's all in this book.
Written with a flowing pen and an easy to read and absorb style, Swaying pulled me in and I picked up the book to read at every opportunity I got. The cats woke me for food at 4am. Who cares? I'm awake now - I can see what's happening in the book! I finished this one very quickly.
This is a book I highly and eagerly recommend for book clubs as discussion about it will be lively and no doubt opinions will be different. It tackles issues of ethics, morals, choices, love, betrayal, heartbreak, joy, life and death. I'm going to be sure it's read in my new "real life" book group I'm starting in January 2017.
What a journey this was. Lucinda researched her stuff about gender swaying, I got an education from that. I had no idea people did this! I had no idea the gender of a baby was so important to someone that they'll go to extreme lengths to get what they want. My heart broke for the babies who were the "not wanted gender". Holy crap. Imagine. Takes us into some cultures in other countries but this book is set in the United Kingdom.
Pop this book in your to-read list. Better yet, it's for sale right now on Amazon. Buy it for a Christmas gift for your best friend, your mum, your sister, your grandmother. This is a wonderful yet challenging women's fiction novel.
An easy 5 stars from me for Swaying. I took far too long to read it but I'm glad it's got that special 222nd spot! Any books I read between now and 31st December are bonus reads. Loved this novel!
I received a copy of this book from the author, who waited patiently for her turn amongst the millions of books I read. I got a little nudge now and then. I'm glad of that. All review opinions are my own and this is a totally unbiased book review.
Oh! I adore the cover of this book too. Perfect fit once you've read the book. So, who is going to read it? Hands up?
September 23, 2015
A deeply emotional and well written novel that tackles a controversial subject with great insight and sensitivity. Ms Blanchard has woven extensive research into a highly readable and gripping novel. It is a real page turner and despite being a journey into a world of obsession and extremes , it is highly readable and engaging throughout. Highly recommend and eagerly await this author’s next book.
January 19, 2016
A fascinating and well researched novel. A woman who is desperate for her next baby to be a girl explores various methods to achieve her goal. Her desire however, becomes so obsessive that it begins to take over her whole life. At one point it just becomes too much for her long suffering husband.
The subject is certainly controversial but the author manages to tackle it with great sensitivity.
Highly recommended.
The subject is certainly controversial but the author manages to tackle it with great sensitivity.
Highly recommended.
October 23, 2017
‘Please let it be a princess. Princess. Princess. Princess.’
British author Lucinda Blanchard was born, raised and still lives on the Isle of Wight where in addition to caring for her family she enjoys backpacking around Australia. SWAYING is her debut novel.
Selecting a controversial topic on which to build a first novel indicates a young author with courage and creativity. ‘Swaying’ deserves defining before reading this fine novel. From the Internet we read, ‘The truth about swaying is that there is a science to it – a very complicated science at that. There have been many books written that completely dissect the functions of ovulation and conception (as well as pre-pregnancy) in order to effectively try for and have either a boy or a girl. There are many factors involved in swaying. The one seen as the most important is diet. There have been many diets developed for women trying to gender sway that you can look into. When you choose one for you (IG Diet, French Diet, Trivers Willard Hypothesis, etc) make sure that you follow it. The diet part of swaying is meant to help you alter, adjust, and maintain certain levels of your pH, minerals, and hormones, as different levels are needed for the conception of either a boy or a girl. Most of the swaying diets will have you take supplements that will help to keep your levels in certain zones more favorable to one sex or the other. You will also be required to take the pH of your cervical mucus and your partner’s sperm. As a female, you will have to keep tabs on your cervical mucus and actually gather it in your fingers so you can decide whether it is tacky, creamy, stringy etc. Some trials of swaying will also have you taste or smell the cervical mucus; saying that acidic mucus will produce girls while alkaline will produce boys. From there, changing your diets and partaking in things like douching (not regular douching, though) will help to prep the uterine environment to make it optimal for swaying...etc’
As Lucinda opens her book she offers a very personalized approach to the concept of swaying, in terms that make the reader identify with the conundrum. ‘The sperm charge about, zigzagging and bumping into one another. The picture is magnified, each cell the size of a baked bean but with a thin tail attached, flicking erratically. I switch off the television, my jaw tight. Designer Baby! As if choosing the gender is designing them. It’s not as if you are determining their appearance - blonde hair, blue eyes, no garish birth marks, straight white teeth, small ears that don’t protrude like a trophy cup. Not one of the women mentioned looks, intelligence or personality - they were just hoping for a he or a she. I pace into the kitchen, my hands supporting my bulging belly. Why is the stupid biased debate bothering me anyway? Making people who have a preference out to be selfish and ungrateful! Should they be ashamed of their hopes? The whole thing was ridiculous. But why do I feel uncomfortable? Is the reason I didn’t want to find out the sex of my baby because I can’t face up to my own disappointment? Of course not. I’m not like those people on the TV programme. I walk back to the lounge, suddenly annoyed at myself for being so impulsive in switching it off. I turn it back on and sit myself down, completely engrossed. Am I having a girl?’
SWAYING is about a mother’s obsession as she attempts to influence the gender of her unborn baby. Charlotte has one desire in life - she wants a daughter. She embarks on a difficult and controversial journey that impacts her sanity, her marriage, her two sons happiness and her friend’s life. The story focuses on family dynamics and covers gender disappointment, high tech at home swaying, PGD (pre-implantation genetic diagnosis – basically IVF but testing the embryos for gender too), abortion, gender scans and the many feelings gender disappointment brings.
Not only is the topic of this novel compelling, but Lucinda’s masterful manner of handling the story gives evidence of an important new author surfacing in or midst. This is a very fine debut novel.
British author Lucinda Blanchard was born, raised and still lives on the Isle of Wight where in addition to caring for her family she enjoys backpacking around Australia. SWAYING is her debut novel.
Selecting a controversial topic on which to build a first novel indicates a young author with courage and creativity. ‘Swaying’ deserves defining before reading this fine novel. From the Internet we read, ‘The truth about swaying is that there is a science to it – a very complicated science at that. There have been many books written that completely dissect the functions of ovulation and conception (as well as pre-pregnancy) in order to effectively try for and have either a boy or a girl. There are many factors involved in swaying. The one seen as the most important is diet. There have been many diets developed for women trying to gender sway that you can look into. When you choose one for you (IG Diet, French Diet, Trivers Willard Hypothesis, etc) make sure that you follow it. The diet part of swaying is meant to help you alter, adjust, and maintain certain levels of your pH, minerals, and hormones, as different levels are needed for the conception of either a boy or a girl. Most of the swaying diets will have you take supplements that will help to keep your levels in certain zones more favorable to one sex or the other. You will also be required to take the pH of your cervical mucus and your partner’s sperm. As a female, you will have to keep tabs on your cervical mucus and actually gather it in your fingers so you can decide whether it is tacky, creamy, stringy etc. Some trials of swaying will also have you taste or smell the cervical mucus; saying that acidic mucus will produce girls while alkaline will produce boys. From there, changing your diets and partaking in things like douching (not regular douching, though) will help to prep the uterine environment to make it optimal for swaying...etc’
As Lucinda opens her book she offers a very personalized approach to the concept of swaying, in terms that make the reader identify with the conundrum. ‘The sperm charge about, zigzagging and bumping into one another. The picture is magnified, each cell the size of a baked bean but with a thin tail attached, flicking erratically. I switch off the television, my jaw tight. Designer Baby! As if choosing the gender is designing them. It’s not as if you are determining their appearance - blonde hair, blue eyes, no garish birth marks, straight white teeth, small ears that don’t protrude like a trophy cup. Not one of the women mentioned looks, intelligence or personality - they were just hoping for a he or a she. I pace into the kitchen, my hands supporting my bulging belly. Why is the stupid biased debate bothering me anyway? Making people who have a preference out to be selfish and ungrateful! Should they be ashamed of their hopes? The whole thing was ridiculous. But why do I feel uncomfortable? Is the reason I didn’t want to find out the sex of my baby because I can’t face up to my own disappointment? Of course not. I’m not like those people on the TV programme. I walk back to the lounge, suddenly annoyed at myself for being so impulsive in switching it off. I turn it back on and sit myself down, completely engrossed. Am I having a girl?’
SWAYING is about a mother’s obsession as she attempts to influence the gender of her unborn baby. Charlotte has one desire in life - she wants a daughter. She embarks on a difficult and controversial journey that impacts her sanity, her marriage, her two sons happiness and her friend’s life. The story focuses on family dynamics and covers gender disappointment, high tech at home swaying, PGD (pre-implantation genetic diagnosis – basically IVF but testing the embryos for gender too), abortion, gender scans and the many feelings gender disappointment brings.
Not only is the topic of this novel compelling, but Lucinda’s masterful manner of handling the story gives evidence of an important new author surfacing in or midst. This is a very fine debut novel.
October 16, 2015
HEART STOPPING
This book will stay with you for a very long time. A mother longs for a daughter to complete her family. But Mother Nature has other ideas. Time for some scientific intervention. But we're talking real lives, real emotions here. Nothing is certain, nothing is clear cut. A tense, taut read. Climb aboard the emotional roller coaster. It's heart-stopping
This book will stay with you for a very long time. A mother longs for a daughter to complete her family. But Mother Nature has other ideas. Time for some scientific intervention. But we're talking real lives, real emotions here. Nothing is certain, nothing is clear cut. A tense, taut read. Climb aboard the emotional roller coaster. It's heart-stopping
June 28, 2018
Fantastic, thought-provoking read
Wow! I was gripped right from the start by the tense and controversial subject matter, made all the better by a gripping writing style. Lucinda manages to convey all the conflicting emotions and darker side of parental expectations and family planning in a wonderfully realistic and readable way. The central characters are developed well and pulled my sympathies and criticisms throughout. I would recommend this book to anybody.
Wow! I was gripped right from the start by the tense and controversial subject matter, made all the better by a gripping writing style. Lucinda manages to convey all the conflicting emotions and darker side of parental expectations and family planning in a wonderfully realistic and readable way. The central characters are developed well and pulled my sympathies and criticisms throughout. I would recommend this book to anybody.
January 1, 2016
I have just finished reading this and I feel emotionally drained...
When I first found out about this book, I had my reservations about reading it, since I knew it would hit a sore nerve. However, since I had met the author at the local library and I saw it on a KDP Countdown deal for only 99p I thought I'd give it a go.
Now, I have to say up front this is a very hard review to write. I know that getting a review that is a 3 may be considered by many authors to be a failure BUT let's be clear that this book is well written and an incredible debut. The problem is the subject-matter was one I found hard to stomach for personal reasons.
The premise of this story is about swaying the odds to have a girl not a boy.
When I found out I was having a baby I was over the moon and frankly did not care what it was. My parents were desperate for a boy and got three girls! When I found out I had had a boy after a difficult caesarian section I was overjoyed. But, in this book the character, Char, goes into a meltdown.
Char's relationship with her husband is so strange and I did not like him one bit. I could understand he was frustrated by her reaction, but I could not see what was special about their relationship. Ultimately, this is why we have children, isn't it? To have a family? I found their relationship hard to understand...
Then when she falls pregnant again after "swaying attempts" she again finds out its a boy. Now, at this point I'll admit that I had a girl - after another horrendous caesarian experience! Again, personally, I was glad that I was fine and that the baby was okay - the girl bit was a bonus (although a part of me felt bad for my son not having a brother)!
In this story, Char is scarred... she loves her boys but wants her girl!
I know of many couples who have had to resort to IVF and then adoption to have children and I find the whole premise of this book hard to swallow. However, I admire the author for tackling this head on and giving us an insight into the world others live in. Unfortunately, the damage caused by these obsessions is not always irreversible.
I felt so sad when events unfolded and will not say more to not give too many spoilers. There are so many children looking for a good home in England at the moment. Is going to the expense of having a child, or in this case swaying, worth it? The pain caused by the need to have the perfect baby is surely not worth it... Parenthood is about more than having the perfect child. I know I always wonder how other parents do what they do, and many look at me wondering how I do what I do, and you know what? We all do our best.
In China, I believe parents prefer boys, so obviously in every culture, your personal upbringing, circumstances, etc, dictate what you view to be ideal. No-one ever seems satisfied! I missed my career for many years...
I am glad I read the book and hope you understand why for me it had to be a 3. When you have seen someone lose a child, or be unable to conceive... the sex of the child is irrelevant! Either way, like I said this is an incredible debut novel. I will be interested to see what the author comes up with next.
When I first found out about this book, I had my reservations about reading it, since I knew it would hit a sore nerve. However, since I had met the author at the local library and I saw it on a KDP Countdown deal for only 99p I thought I'd give it a go.
Now, I have to say up front this is a very hard review to write. I know that getting a review that is a 3 may be considered by many authors to be a failure BUT let's be clear that this book is well written and an incredible debut. The problem is the subject-matter was one I found hard to stomach for personal reasons.
The premise of this story is about swaying the odds to have a girl not a boy.
When I found out I was having a baby I was over the moon and frankly did not care what it was. My parents were desperate for a boy and got three girls! When I found out I had had a boy after a difficult caesarian section I was overjoyed. But, in this book the character, Char, goes into a meltdown.
Char's relationship with her husband is so strange and I did not like him one bit. I could understand he was frustrated by her reaction, but I could not see what was special about their relationship. Ultimately, this is why we have children, isn't it? To have a family? I found their relationship hard to understand...
Then when she falls pregnant again after "swaying attempts" she again finds out its a boy. Now, at this point I'll admit that I had a girl - after another horrendous caesarian experience! Again, personally, I was glad that I was fine and that the baby was okay - the girl bit was a bonus (although a part of me felt bad for my son not having a brother)!
In this story, Char is scarred... she loves her boys but wants her girl!
I know of many couples who have had to resort to IVF and then adoption to have children and I find the whole premise of this book hard to swallow. However, I admire the author for tackling this head on and giving us an insight into the world others live in. Unfortunately, the damage caused by these obsessions is not always irreversible.
I felt so sad when events unfolded and will not say more to not give too many spoilers. There are so many children looking for a good home in England at the moment. Is going to the expense of having a child, or in this case swaying, worth it? The pain caused by the need to have the perfect baby is surely not worth it... Parenthood is about more than having the perfect child. I know I always wonder how other parents do what they do, and many look at me wondering how I do what I do, and you know what? We all do our best.
In China, I believe parents prefer boys, so obviously in every culture, your personal upbringing, circumstances, etc, dictate what you view to be ideal. No-one ever seems satisfied! I missed my career for many years...
I am glad I read the book and hope you understand why for me it had to be a 3. When you have seen someone lose a child, or be unable to conceive... the sex of the child is irrelevant! Either way, like I said this is an incredible debut novel. I will be interested to see what the author comes up with next.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 26, 2016
In her 2015 debut novel Lucinda Blanchard boldly addresses the controversial subject of gender swaying, trying to ensure the birth of a gender desired baby, by taking all sorts of precautions. There even are online forums for disappointed mothers, desperately longing for their preferred baby boy or girl.
We meet Charlotte (Char) as Char enters the last term of her first pregnancy. Anxious to have a daughter of her own, she’s dreading the thought of having a baby boy. However as it turns out, a ovely and cute boy it is. Privately Char is devastated, crying for that lost feeling of not having her desired daughter. She throws herself into online forums and support groups for disappointed mothers, with all sorts off advice towards giving birth to a gender desired baby.
This novel provides an insight into the world of gender disappointment, a subject that is normally something not discussed publicly. It is a remarkably honest and open-hearted story, we as readers get a good insight into the constant battle Char is fighting. We watch her struggle and remind ourselves that this is a self-imposed battle and that she in fact is a happily married wife and mother of the adorable Luke.
Char is increasingly becoming influenced by Bella who, after having two boys, is so fixated on having a girl that she is willing to destroy everything she has. Will Char get what she wants in the end? Or will she have destroyed everything she loves and cares for, causing a total collapse of her world as it is?
It is hard to envisage something like this to feel ourselves? Do we harbour thoughts inside ourselves like Char, secretly obsessing for either a boy or a girl? Is it convention that is withholding us from expressing those feelings, is it shame or embarrassment? Honestly all that matters is a healthy child of whatever gender. Even Char herself seems to realise this by stating that in the event of another boy, she will find it in her heart to love him with all the motherly love inside her.
The author expresses these feelings in her book dedication “For Oliver, James and Sophie, all of whom I love equally, regardless of gender.” By writing such a loving dedication, Lucinda Blanchard states that the story she is cunningly laying before us is not hers, but a work of fiction.
It is all the more praiseworthy to have written such an enlightening insight, provinding a unique opportunity to watch the normally hidden depths of desperation and desire and whether or not we agree, we are drawn into the psychological novel that is very well written.
Interested in reading the full review on my website? Go to http://www.bitsaboutbooks.net/fiction...
We meet Charlotte (Char) as Char enters the last term of her first pregnancy. Anxious to have a daughter of her own, she’s dreading the thought of having a baby boy. However as it turns out, a ovely and cute boy it is. Privately Char is devastated, crying for that lost feeling of not having her desired daughter. She throws herself into online forums and support groups for disappointed mothers, with all sorts off advice towards giving birth to a gender desired baby.
This novel provides an insight into the world of gender disappointment, a subject that is normally something not discussed publicly. It is a remarkably honest and open-hearted story, we as readers get a good insight into the constant battle Char is fighting. We watch her struggle and remind ourselves that this is a self-imposed battle and that she in fact is a happily married wife and mother of the adorable Luke.
Char is increasingly becoming influenced by Bella who, after having two boys, is so fixated on having a girl that she is willing to destroy everything she has. Will Char get what she wants in the end? Or will she have destroyed everything she loves and cares for, causing a total collapse of her world as it is?
It is hard to envisage something like this to feel ourselves? Do we harbour thoughts inside ourselves like Char, secretly obsessing for either a boy or a girl? Is it convention that is withholding us from expressing those feelings, is it shame or embarrassment? Honestly all that matters is a healthy child of whatever gender. Even Char herself seems to realise this by stating that in the event of another boy, she will find it in her heart to love him with all the motherly love inside her.
The author expresses these feelings in her book dedication “For Oliver, James and Sophie, all of whom I love equally, regardless of gender.” By writing such a loving dedication, Lucinda Blanchard states that the story she is cunningly laying before us is not hers, but a work of fiction.
It is all the more praiseworthy to have written such an enlightening insight, provinding a unique opportunity to watch the normally hidden depths of desperation and desire and whether or not we agree, we are drawn into the psychological novel that is very well written.
Interested in reading the full review on my website? Go to http://www.bitsaboutbooks.net/fiction...
September 16, 2017
Southside Book and Writers Club book of the month
This book was hard for me to read and much harder for me to review. Swaying deals with a mother's wants and needs, concerning the sex of thier child. The man character Char, went through great lengths to conceive a girl, even thinking about terminating a pregnancy because the sex of the child was not what she wanted.
Charlotte was obsessed with wanting a girl, this obession ruined her marriage and almost destroyed her life. For readers who are interested in what not to do,or the signs and systems of a love one going to far. Please read this book and get them some help. Do not let your loved one end up like the character Bella.
The storyline flowed and the author gave you plenty of scientific information to follow. I gave this book three stars, because it was difficult for me to read and comprehend what this woman was willing to do and who she was willing to sacrifice.
This book was hard for me to read and much harder for me to review. Swaying deals with a mother's wants and needs, concerning the sex of thier child. The man character Char, went through great lengths to conceive a girl, even thinking about terminating a pregnancy because the sex of the child was not what she wanted.
Charlotte was obsessed with wanting a girl, this obession ruined her marriage and almost destroyed her life. For readers who are interested in what not to do,or the signs and systems of a love one going to far. Please read this book and get them some help. Do not let your loved one end up like the character Bella.
The storyline flowed and the author gave you plenty of scientific information to follow. I gave this book three stars, because it was difficult for me to read and comprehend what this woman was willing to do and who she was willing to sacrifice.
February 1, 2016
This book was a selection in a book club I've just joined and I wasn't entirely sure if I'd like it. Not having kids myself I didn't expect to care much for a character desperate to have a girl rather than a boy. I found I did care about her though. Not so much about which sex her babies were, but about her physical and emotional health and about her relationships with her family and friends.
Serious issues aree raised in the book and some terribly sad things happen, but overall this isn't a grim or depressing story. It's emotional and involving and even funny at times.
Serious issues aree raised in the book and some terribly sad things happen, but overall this isn't a grim or depressing story. It's emotional and involving and even funny at times.
December 2, 2018
I've never heard of this before, probably because my interest in children is minimal at the best of times but what a eye opener.
Welcome to the world of swaying, gender swaying. Where women coat their tampons with lime among other things in order to sway their chances of having a daughter. I can't believe the things detailed in this book are true however it seems they are. You can definitely tell this is a debut but the subject matter keeps you page turning. It really is unbelievable what people will do to sway to their chosen gender.
Welcome to the world of swaying, gender swaying. Where women coat their tampons with lime among other things in order to sway their chances of having a daughter. I can't believe the things detailed in this book are true however it seems they are. You can definitely tell this is a debut but the subject matter keeps you page turning. It really is unbelievable what people will do to sway to their chosen gender.
May 25, 2017
This was quite an interesting yet somewhat depressing read! The main character is absolutely obsessed with having a baby in the gender of her choice. She completely alienates her husband and then wonders why he does what he did, but then by the end of the book she appears to forgive his unforgivable behaviour.
There were some comedy moments in this book, but also some quite mood dampening scenes too. I was pretty glad to finish this and go onto a more uplifting read.
There were some comedy moments in this book, but also some quite mood dampening scenes too. I was pretty glad to finish this and go onto a more uplifting read.
April 25, 2016
Swaying is a well-researched take on a controversial subject. 'Gender disappointment' is a real issue for many people. The story is at times funny, and at times moving, but is constantly entertaining.
June 16, 2018
I found this book really frustrating.
Charlotte, desperate for a baby girl, was annoying and not relatable at all. i can't understand people who can't just be happy about a healthy baby.
also she was so bitchy and so egoistical towards her husband most of the time, i could kind of understand that he left her (though not in the manner he did it).
her kids seemed unrealistically perfect. though they are mentioned so often, they either sleep (two and a half hour long naps?) or play happily and quietly. they don't cry or have a tantrum even once!
at later parts of the book Luke is still described as being rather nonverbal, rolling balls on the floor to mommy and sucking his thumb. he's 4 at this point! it just doesn't seem like Blanchard had her timeline right.
i did a quick google on Swaying and most of the things Charlotte did were quickly debunked as not working at all.
and common sense tells me that some things would rather lead to a bad bacterial or yeast infection instead of pregnancy (lime douches?). girls, don't try this at home.
Charlotte, desperate for a baby girl, was annoying and not relatable at all. i can't understand people who can't just be happy about a healthy baby.
also she was so bitchy and so egoistical towards her husband most of the time, i could kind of understand that he left her (though not in the manner he did it).
her kids seemed unrealistically perfect. though they are mentioned so often, they either sleep (two and a half hour long naps?) or play happily and quietly. they don't cry or have a tantrum even once!
at later parts of the book Luke is still described as being rather nonverbal, rolling balls on the floor to mommy and sucking his thumb. he's 4 at this point! it just doesn't seem like Blanchard had her timeline right.
i did a quick google on Swaying and most of the things Charlotte did were quickly debunked as not working at all.
and common sense tells me that some things would rather lead to a bad bacterial or yeast infection instead of pregnancy (lime douches?). girls, don't try this at home.
March 13, 2017
Swaying is the debut novel for the author. Well-written, captivating, well-plotted and paced, with full and rich characters- it’s everything readers want in a book. The cover is amazing. Whether readers are interested in the topic is a different matter. To some, “swaying” may be controversial. Other people may see “swaying” as a natural option. “Swaying” may also be seen to be a farce, a rip-off. Some readers may see the heroine, Charlotte as plucky, brave and determine. Once again, other readers may find Charlotte and her new friend Bella to be obsessed and even crazy. If you don’t know, “swaying” is the idea that a woman and man can “sway” the gender of their child before it is conceived by modifying their diet and by using ovulation times, and even more advance medical procedures. Charlotte has always dreamed of having a girl. She wants to have the same relationship with her child, as she did with her mother. When we meet Charlotte, she has given birth to her first child, a son. She learns to love him, but her desire for a baby girl grows. Thanks to the internet, she learns about swaying and meets a local woman on one of the chat rooms who is swaying, too. At first, Charlotte’s husband Ian goes along with the swaying procedures, but he gets tired of the odd diet, and the microscope and lab equipment needed to monitor sperm. Charlotte becomes more and more engrossed with the project and Bella her friend, will stop at nothing. Readers- even if you are conflicted about swaying, this is a fascinating story about “gender disappointment” and how a choice or desire can change many lives. This would be a great book for a book club to choose and discuss.
June 24, 2016
I can't exactly pinpoint what exactly it was that intrigued me about Swaying, but I was intrigued nonetheless. If you've read any of my other book reviews, then you know that this isn't my usual genre. However, I really did want to read this book. Not only because it was written by an author I've now gotten to know, but also because it was on a topic that I'd never heard of.
To be honest, I had no idea that "swaying" was even a thing, or that there were people that genuinely dealt with gender disappointment. I think in that sense, this book was very well researched and educational.
I saw that some of the other readers thought that they would have trouble connecting with the characters, if they didn't have children themselves. However, that was not the case for me. I grew up wanting children, but I've learned with each diagnosis that it might just not be in the cards for me right now. I was able to connect with some of the characters in the form of emotions rather than actual circumstances.
I actually think that since I've begun coming to terms with the possibility of not having children, I was able to connect with Rose a lot too. I agreed with a lot of the points that she made throughout the book and I very much liked her character. I also envied her for the time she got to spend with her horses, I always wanted a horse...or twelve.
In the beginning of the book, I really didn't like Bella. I began leaning towards Ian's opinion of her, but then I didn't like him very much either. All of a sudden things reversed. I started understanding Bella more and liking Ian less. Although I haven't been through Bella's trials or agree with some of the decisions that she made, I understand the reasons she made them and the emotions behind them. I don't want to say any spoilers, but she and I struggled with similar things.
On the topic of the books beginning, I was very confused when I started reading the book. I don't know if it was from one of my previous conversations with Lucinda or something I read earlier, but I thought the book started later in the main characters life. I didn't think that it would span over the course of a few years. However, that could also be my preferred genre sneaking in. Most of the books that I read are turned into trilogies or even longer series. So just know that this book does span over a long length of time, of course it doesn't feel that way though!
If you didn't know, Lucinda lives in the United Kingdom. I didn't think that I would have any trouble reading this book as we speak the same language, but I did notice a lot of differences in our terms and style of writing. I actually have an iPhone screen page of words and phrases that we either don't use in the U.S. or they mean something else here. It was pretty easy to figure out what they meant with the help of context clues, but there were a couple that had me stuck!
As for the style differences, I think those are just the different ways that we use certain words in our sentence structure. I also noticed that Lucinda uses single quotation marks while most of the authors that I read use double quotation marks; and she chooses not to use serial commas. Of course, those are her style choices and they are 100% up to her. These style choices do not add or take away anything from the actual content of the book, but I like to review all aspects of each book :)
As I mentioned earlier, this book seemed to be very well researched. While I did not double check the proper procedures, it really did feel like you were along for the ride. You felt the emotions of the characters in the book and you experienced their highs and lows with them. There were a lot of doctors appointments and swaying tasks, but I never felt lost. This is particularly important since I don't have any children, nor have I ever been pregnant. Lucinda writes in a way that is both informative as well as easy to understand.
Usually when I pick up a book on a new topic, I have trouble reading it quickly. My brain has to process it as it would a text book; it needs to soak in the information slowly and let it marinate like a steak. However, that wasn't the case with Swaying. I actually finished this book in just four sittings, it was just a matter of finding the time to actually sit down and read the book. Lucinda has a great way with words and she really drew me in!
The only thing that I found a little bit disappointing with Swaying was a certain amount of predictability. I don't want to give away any big spoilers, but there were definitely a few pieces of the story that I saw coming. However, I'd also like to take a moment to point out that there were some interesting plot pieces that I didn't not see coming whatsoever!
Overall, Lucinda did a wonderful job with her debut novel. I would definitely recommend this book if you are interested in learning more about swaying or having children in general. I do recommend that you do not read this book if you find that you have a lot of emotional triggers. I know that there are a few controversial topics that could be upsetting to some readers.
To be honest, I had no idea that "swaying" was even a thing, or that there were people that genuinely dealt with gender disappointment. I think in that sense, this book was very well researched and educational.
I saw that some of the other readers thought that they would have trouble connecting with the characters, if they didn't have children themselves. However, that was not the case for me. I grew up wanting children, but I've learned with each diagnosis that it might just not be in the cards for me right now. I was able to connect with some of the characters in the form of emotions rather than actual circumstances.
I actually think that since I've begun coming to terms with the possibility of not having children, I was able to connect with Rose a lot too. I agreed with a lot of the points that she made throughout the book and I very much liked her character. I also envied her for the time she got to spend with her horses, I always wanted a horse...or twelve.
In the beginning of the book, I really didn't like Bella. I began leaning towards Ian's opinion of her, but then I didn't like him very much either. All of a sudden things reversed. I started understanding Bella more and liking Ian less. Although I haven't been through Bella's trials or agree with some of the decisions that she made, I understand the reasons she made them and the emotions behind them. I don't want to say any spoilers, but she and I struggled with similar things.
On the topic of the books beginning, I was very confused when I started reading the book. I don't know if it was from one of my previous conversations with Lucinda or something I read earlier, but I thought the book started later in the main characters life. I didn't think that it would span over the course of a few years. However, that could also be my preferred genre sneaking in. Most of the books that I read are turned into trilogies or even longer series. So just know that this book does span over a long length of time, of course it doesn't feel that way though!
If you didn't know, Lucinda lives in the United Kingdom. I didn't think that I would have any trouble reading this book as we speak the same language, but I did notice a lot of differences in our terms and style of writing. I actually have an iPhone screen page of words and phrases that we either don't use in the U.S. or they mean something else here. It was pretty easy to figure out what they meant with the help of context clues, but there were a couple that had me stuck!
As for the style differences, I think those are just the different ways that we use certain words in our sentence structure. I also noticed that Lucinda uses single quotation marks while most of the authors that I read use double quotation marks; and she chooses not to use serial commas. Of course, those are her style choices and they are 100% up to her. These style choices do not add or take away anything from the actual content of the book, but I like to review all aspects of each book :)
As I mentioned earlier, this book seemed to be very well researched. While I did not double check the proper procedures, it really did feel like you were along for the ride. You felt the emotions of the characters in the book and you experienced their highs and lows with them. There were a lot of doctors appointments and swaying tasks, but I never felt lost. This is particularly important since I don't have any children, nor have I ever been pregnant. Lucinda writes in a way that is both informative as well as easy to understand.
Usually when I pick up a book on a new topic, I have trouble reading it quickly. My brain has to process it as it would a text book; it needs to soak in the information slowly and let it marinate like a steak. However, that wasn't the case with Swaying. I actually finished this book in just four sittings, it was just a matter of finding the time to actually sit down and read the book. Lucinda has a great way with words and she really drew me in!
The only thing that I found a little bit disappointing with Swaying was a certain amount of predictability. I don't want to give away any big spoilers, but there were definitely a few pieces of the story that I saw coming. However, I'd also like to take a moment to point out that there were some interesting plot pieces that I didn't not see coming whatsoever!
Overall, Lucinda did a wonderful job with her debut novel. I would definitely recommend this book if you are interested in learning more about swaying or having children in general. I do recommend that you do not read this book if you find that you have a lot of emotional triggers. I know that there are a few controversial topics that could be upsetting to some readers.
July 19, 2018
I’m not a mum, but this novel was gripping. You really feel Charlotte’s desperation and obsession. Very relatable. A great debut.
July 18, 2017
This was a free book I picked up from Amazon. I had never even heard of the Author and now I am left wondering why.
I really enjoyed this book, it was easy to read, the characters were relatable and it was about a subject that I hadn't really thought about before.
I didn't know gender swaying existed really before I read this book but the way the book is written it is obvious that Chars desperate for a baby girl. If you get the chance to read this then do. You won't regret it.
I really enjoyed this book, it was easy to read, the characters were relatable and it was about a subject that I hadn't really thought about before.
I didn't know gender swaying existed really before I read this book but the way the book is written it is obvious that Chars desperate for a baby girl. If you get the chance to read this then do. You won't regret it.
February 27, 2017
Swaying, for those not familiar with reproductive terminology, is a term used to mean swaying the odds of having a baby of the sex you want in your favour. Writing a novel about such a very controversial and emotive subject is an extremely brave move. Battle lines are likely to be drawn up on both sides of the argument and very strong opinions declared. This is not a novel for the faint hearted. The author, having meticulously researched the subject, wades courageously into a sea of strife and does not duck the issues. The story is cleverly constructed around two women and their long-suffering husbands. Both women are desperate to have a girl, having already had a boy, or in Bella’s case two boys. The motivation is complex and as the story line continues the difference between Char who remains open and honest throughout and her more devious counterpart, Bella becomes more and more stark. There are issues around replacing a lost female sibling and longing for a future where mother and daughter can share things that would be impossible with a boy, and the colour pink. The husbands are both astonishingly devoted, but not surprisingly this behaviour puts and enormous strain on their marriages. From the point of view of the two women life becomes the stuff of nightmares because of their obsession. This is a courageous first novel, and very well written. Not to be missed.
June 25, 2016
Swaying is the moving story of one woman's fixation to have a baby girl.
Charlotte (Char) is pregnant and is desperately hoping for a little girl, so when baby Luke makes his entrance into the world she's secretly devastated. When she finds an online support group for other mothers who are disappointed with the gender of their babies it opens up a whole new world for her to explore. Topics such as gender disappointment, swaying, diets and what can only be described as diy science experiments quickly become a huge part of Char's day to day life and it's through the forums that she meets Bella, a mum to two boys, who also longs for a daughter.
When her husband Ian agrees to another baby Char's hopes are raised and she manages to convince him to try some of the methods she's researched so that she can hopefully realise her dream of holding Verity-May in her arms.
At first her new friend Bella is someone who Char can depend on for support but gradually it seems that there's something about her that doesn't quite add up and Char is disturbed by the lengths that Bella will go to to ensure that her next baby is a girl. Spending all her time concentrating on how she can fulfil her dream, Char appears to be overlooking the here and now and she finds herself in a situation she never thought possible.
Swaying is a superbly written book about a highly controversial and taboo subject. Lucinda Blanchard has obviously done a lot of research into the subject of swaying and in doing so she's introduced me to a subject that I was totally unaware of. The facts are cleverly combined within the story so that as a reader I was able to fully understand the pressure some woman are prepared to put themselves under to try and guarantee the chosen sex of their unborn child. This was a captivating story with characters that are very easy to relate to, a subject matter that is dealt with sensitively and topped off with a light sprinkling of humour. I was genuinely engrossed by the storyline and I would definitely recommend this thought-provoking read regardless of whether or not you have children and I can't wait to see what's next from this very talented author.
Charlotte (Char) is pregnant and is desperately hoping for a little girl, so when baby Luke makes his entrance into the world she's secretly devastated. When she finds an online support group for other mothers who are disappointed with the gender of their babies it opens up a whole new world for her to explore. Topics such as gender disappointment, swaying, diets and what can only be described as diy science experiments quickly become a huge part of Char's day to day life and it's through the forums that she meets Bella, a mum to two boys, who also longs for a daughter.
When her husband Ian agrees to another baby Char's hopes are raised and she manages to convince him to try some of the methods she's researched so that she can hopefully realise her dream of holding Verity-May in her arms.
At first her new friend Bella is someone who Char can depend on for support but gradually it seems that there's something about her that doesn't quite add up and Char is disturbed by the lengths that Bella will go to to ensure that her next baby is a girl. Spending all her time concentrating on how she can fulfil her dream, Char appears to be overlooking the here and now and she finds herself in a situation she never thought possible.
Swaying is a superbly written book about a highly controversial and taboo subject. Lucinda Blanchard has obviously done a lot of research into the subject of swaying and in doing so she's introduced me to a subject that I was totally unaware of. The facts are cleverly combined within the story so that as a reader I was able to fully understand the pressure some woman are prepared to put themselves under to try and guarantee the chosen sex of their unborn child. This was a captivating story with characters that are very easy to relate to, a subject matter that is dealt with sensitively and topped off with a light sprinkling of humour. I was genuinely engrossed by the storyline and I would definitely recommend this thought-provoking read regardless of whether or not you have children and I can't wait to see what's next from this very talented author.
November 14, 2016
Just when you think you've read every story plot there is to read, along comes Swaying. Swaying means in once instance; to influence a person or course of action. In this case Charlotte and Ian want to start their family. Char becomes pregnant and she really REALLY wants a girl. She researches to see if there are measures to be taken that would sway her odds to having a girl. Well, according to web searches, blogs and communicating on sites with other mothers who have this same desire, there is! The problem is that it's a very complicated and expensive process. Not to mention unhealthy as Char loses so much of her body weight due to the stringent diet. She meets Bella on one of the sites and they become close. Bella has two sons and will do anything, yes as you will read, anything to have a baby girl. Now Char has encouragement which she really doesn't get from her family, husband included. They try, but deep down they feel this is just nonsense. Ian who devotedly loves his wife wants to support her but he has to be on the diet too and provide many sperm samples for his wife to spin, separate and examine under a microscope. This gets old fast and puts a gap between them.
This author has obviously done much research on the subject of swaying and gender disappointment. In this process she has written a most intriguing novel of mystery, disappointment, sadness, tragedy, and mother love. I gave it four stars instead of five because I thought the ending was... But if I comment I'm afraid it will create a spoiler. Bottom line, You will find yourself turning pages or swiping your device rapidly to find out what will happen next.
This author has obviously done much research on the subject of swaying and gender disappointment. In this process she has written a most intriguing novel of mystery, disappointment, sadness, tragedy, and mother love. I gave it four stars instead of five because I thought the ending was... But if I comment I'm afraid it will create a spoiler. Bottom line, You will find yourself turning pages or swiping your device rapidly to find out what will happen next.
August 9, 2016
The author explores what an obsession (in this case about the gender of her unborn child) can do to a woman, her relationships, and life choices. It is well written but I couldn't connect with the topic, and found her motivation, where her obsession stems from, unclear. A theme like gender-obsession has to split the readership into those able to relate (and probably liking the story, which is the inner journey of the narrator), and those who can't. Controversial topics can't please every reader, and you'll soon find out whether or not this is a read for you. Apart from the content, the narration as such is lovely, but lacks experience with story building, structuring, pacing, and could be tightened a lot (esp. the dialogue, which contains unnecessary small talk, and the retelling of events the reader just witnessed before). Overall, the writing is interesting and spotless grammar-wise, but the author could improve the quality of the read by using more "showing" than "telling" strategies in her narration. Overall, it is a book people will either love, or not be able to relate to.
April 1, 2016
As a woman who was challenged in the realms of fertility herself (I have PCOS) I found this book's main character a bit annoying and selfish at times, but I think that this says more about my own journey and feelings about children than anything else. I personally think you should be grateful for any children you have, regardless of sex, but I had two boys, which I wanted, so maybe I would have felt differently had I been expecting a girl.
This book is controversial, well researched and very interesting. Some of the methods described in the Swaying process is mind boggling, and I feel that this book would be a great read for anyone having these feelings and wishes themselves. I found it a little slow to start, but I kept reading to the end. Everyone has an obsession at some point in their life, and the obsession and journey in this book is fascinating, sad and hard to read at times, and gets you thinking. We had some lively discussions in our house!
This book is controversial, well researched and very interesting. Some of the methods described in the Swaying process is mind boggling, and I feel that this book would be a great read for anyone having these feelings and wishes themselves. I found it a little slow to start, but I kept reading to the end. Everyone has an obsession at some point in their life, and the obsession and journey in this book is fascinating, sad and hard to read at times, and gets you thinking. We had some lively discussions in our house!
March 13, 2016
Though historical fiction is my favourite genre, I was drawn to this book by the Cover and the sub-title. Once I started reading I was hooked and wanted to learn about the outcome. It opened my eyes to the dubious advice on this and other subjects on the internet and how gullible people can be manipulated.
It is funny and sad in places but the author shows us a deeper, frightening thread of how an obsession can destroy our relationships and in some cases can lead to disaster. The book is well written and I would recommend it, especially to anyone who may believe that scientific or non- scientific ideas can solve a personal problem.
It is funny and sad in places but the author shows us a deeper, frightening thread of how an obsession can destroy our relationships and in some cases can lead to disaster. The book is well written and I would recommend it, especially to anyone who may believe that scientific or non- scientific ideas can solve a personal problem.
November 22, 2016
I actually don't know how to rate this novel. On one hand, I read it practically all in one sitting when I dedicated time to it but at the same time I think it was to get it out of the way. Charlotte, the female protagonist, was annoying and I genuinely don't know how someone didn't slap her to her senses. The husband in my eyes deserved a medal. Honestly, the writing style was ridiculous. Huge chunks of time passed without any real clue until she told you the ages of the kids. Personally I wouldn't recommend this novel...
December 28, 2016
I agreed to read Swaying in exchange for a review even though it is not my usual genre. I did not realise swaying existed and am impressed by the amount of research the author must have done. Charlotte's obsession with wanting a daughter rules her life and you wonder if she will ever succeed, or if her husband will put up with her fixation on using all the different methods she learns about. The dialogue flows well, leading the reader on to hoping all ends well. A good read.
July 27, 2016
Great!!
This book is great!! Nut only did it give me ideas on gender swaying but it also made me feel less alone in wanting a daughter. It's also a great read on how to be thankful for what you have. I like the style of the writing and how long the book is, it's not super short like many others I find for kindle.
This book is great!! Nut only did it give me ideas on gender swaying but it also made me feel less alone in wanting a daughter. It's also a great read on how to be thankful for what you have. I like the style of the writing and how long the book is, it's not super short like many others I find for kindle.
January 17, 2016
Could not put it down
What a fab book! Could not put it down ... It played like a film in my minds eye! It took me on a rollercoaster of emotions, something a book hasn't done for a long time!
What a fab book! Could not put it down ... It played like a film in my minds eye! It took me on a rollercoaster of emotions, something a book hasn't done for a long time!
September 16, 2017
Lots of Reflection
The author did a great job with the storyline. Regardless of how you felt about the subject or characters, you wanted to keep reading to see how this madness would end. Overall, an interesting read.
The author did a great job with the storyline. Regardless of how you felt about the subject or characters, you wanted to keep reading to see how this madness would end. Overall, an interesting read.
January 16, 2016
A very thought provoking book that brings out a range of emotions and at times inner conflict. Very well written, characters easy to follow and relate to.
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