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Wild Egg: A story of one woman's search for her childfree life
How do you learn to trust yourself and hear your own truth?
Based on a true story, Wild Egg explores one woman's struggle to break the deadlock of ambivalence to decide whether becoming a biological mother is her wholehearted choice, or simply what she has been programmed to believe. When her usual rational approach to problem solving fails, Hollie Hardwick finds herself tumbling down an existential rabbit hole, unearthing more questions than answers in a bid to avoid future regret.
Confused and frustrated, Hollie resorts to increasingly desperate measures to achieve a breakthrough and, in the process, opens a spiritual Pandora's Box that cannot be closed.
By the time she chooses to be childfree, Hollie is left with a burning now what ...what does a meaningful childfree life look like? Her search for an answer takes her on a wild ride, from mindfulness circles with a motley crew of characters, to a Scottish island full of Buddhist monks and nuns. Through her journey, Hollie digs deep into her soul where she confronts a gnawing feeling of emptiness, and eventually finds the courage to become her most powerful, unapologetic and joyful childfree self.
Author, Jennifer Flint, was (like Hollie) a successful but unfulfilled HR Director. During lockdown she signed up to a writing course determined to fulfil her dream of writing a novel inspired by her father's life. To her surprise, Wild Egg showed up.
"Nine years ago when I was in maybe-baby hell, I felt so alone, and desperately wanted to find an intimate account of another woman's journey to hold onto in the dark. I read some great books but was left unsatisfied; it felt like nibbling on tapas, when I wanted to feast on a relatable shame shit story. When Wild Egg began downloading, I realised I was being invited to share my story and write the book I had longed for."
Jennifer describes writing Wild Egg as a graduation from her 'vulnerability apprenticeship' that began the moment her own husband unexpectedly confronted her with wanting a baby. "I finished the manuscript on the eve of my fiftieth birthday and it felt like putting a beautiful big full stop at the end of my first half of life. Wild Egg has become not only a reflection of my journey, but a marching order to live my most unbound life. I hope it may inspire other women to trust themselves enough to do the same."
Marcia Drut-Davis, author of "Confessions of a Childfree Woman" and "What? You Don't Want Children?" and childfree pioneer says "Wild Egg is a powerful story and page-turning must read novel for women feeling the pronatalistic push/pull of motherhood as an expected choice ... Along the way, Wild Egg will have you wondering if you're happy or joyful and if you're the egg or the eggcup. Brava!"
Merle Bombardieri, MSW, LICSW, author of 'The Baby How to Make the Most Important Choice of your Life', psychotherapist, and international decision coach said "This book is beautiful, brilliant, serious and funny. Flint gives us the gift of Hollie, a lovable, courageous role model for the childfree choice.
Based on a true story, Wild Egg explores one woman's struggle to break the deadlock of ambivalence to decide whether becoming a biological mother is her wholehearted choice, or simply what she has been programmed to believe. When her usual rational approach to problem solving fails, Hollie Hardwick finds herself tumbling down an existential rabbit hole, unearthing more questions than answers in a bid to avoid future regret.
Confused and frustrated, Hollie resorts to increasingly desperate measures to achieve a breakthrough and, in the process, opens a spiritual Pandora's Box that cannot be closed.
By the time she chooses to be childfree, Hollie is left with a burning now what ...what does a meaningful childfree life look like? Her search for an answer takes her on a wild ride, from mindfulness circles with a motley crew of characters, to a Scottish island full of Buddhist monks and nuns. Through her journey, Hollie digs deep into her soul where she confronts a gnawing feeling of emptiness, and eventually finds the courage to become her most powerful, unapologetic and joyful childfree self.
Author, Jennifer Flint, was (like Hollie) a successful but unfulfilled HR Director. During lockdown she signed up to a writing course determined to fulfil her dream of writing a novel inspired by her father's life. To her surprise, Wild Egg showed up.
"Nine years ago when I was in maybe-baby hell, I felt so alone, and desperately wanted to find an intimate account of another woman's journey to hold onto in the dark. I read some great books but was left unsatisfied; it felt like nibbling on tapas, when I wanted to feast on a relatable shame shit story. When Wild Egg began downloading, I realised I was being invited to share my story and write the book I had longed for."
Jennifer describes writing Wild Egg as a graduation from her 'vulnerability apprenticeship' that began the moment her own husband unexpectedly confronted her with wanting a baby. "I finished the manuscript on the eve of my fiftieth birthday and it felt like putting a beautiful big full stop at the end of my first half of life. Wild Egg has become not only a reflection of my journey, but a marching order to live my most unbound life. I hope it may inspire other women to trust themselves enough to do the same."
Marcia Drut-Davis, author of "Confessions of a Childfree Woman" and "What? You Don't Want Children?" and childfree pioneer says "Wild Egg is a powerful story and page-turning must read novel for women feeling the pronatalistic push/pull of motherhood as an expected choice ... Along the way, Wild Egg will have you wondering if you're happy or joyful and if you're the egg or the eggcup. Brava!"
Merle Bombardieri, MSW, LICSW, author of 'The Baby How to Make the Most Important Choice of your Life', psychotherapist, and international decision coach said "This book is beautiful, brilliant, serious and funny. Flint gives us the gift of Hollie, a lovable, courageous role model for the childfree choice.
- GenresNonfiction
408 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 7, 2022
3 people are currently reading
150 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
August 12, 2022
A book that needed to be written to challenge expected norms for women and to remind us all that we have choices. Throughout Hollie's journey, I was reminded of how powerful and liberating it can be to share experiences and open up to complete strangers! I loved the interaction with the characters Hollie found to help her along the way and could really feel her emotions - from desperation and agony through to certainty and enlightenment - pouring off the pages. Society often encourages us to walk a well-trodden path, and sometimes we must find a way to step off. Wild Egg is a celebration of women in all their guises and will be a shining light for many.
I have a daughter, and I love being a Mum. So, why did I find this book so relatable? I went through similar internal wrangling when I was deciding whether to have a second child or not. The expectation that we would have a second child felt huge. People I hardly knew would ask when or if I was having another one. I felt myself needing to explain and justify our choices. Inside I was grieving for the baby I would never have. I remember someone telling me her friend felt this sense of grief even after having five children. It made me feel so much better, and I felt less isolated in my quandary.
I have a daughter, and I love being a Mum. So, why did I find this book so relatable? I went through similar internal wrangling when I was deciding whether to have a second child or not. The expectation that we would have a second child felt huge. People I hardly knew would ask when or if I was having another one. I felt myself needing to explain and justify our choices. Inside I was grieving for the baby I would never have. I remember someone telling me her friend felt this sense of grief even after having five children. It made me feel so much better, and I felt less isolated in my quandary.
December 1, 2023
Good, easy read. I really enjoyed all the childfree mentions. It got more spiritual than I expected, but it wasn’t bad.
April 27, 2024
I’m a happily childfree woman, so I thought I’d really enjoy this book. While several snippets really hit home for me, I have to admit I found Hollie rather insufferable. She’s incredibly privileged and her “woo-woo” nature tends to come off more arrogant and pretentious than insightful and deep. The narration offered up a little bit of self-awareness about this, but it felt almost obligatory; not enough to make Hollie a sympathetic character in my mind. Also, the author asserts (by way of one of the characters) that childfree women may be more introspective than mothers because they tend to really stop and face the “what’s it all about?” question themselves head-on, rather than through defaulting to children. I see where she was going with this, but it read as incredibly patronizing to mothers. It perpetuated a common misconception around the childfree community, that we sit here from our childfree thrones looking down upon those who chose motherhood as if they’re less intelligent. All in all, two stars for the good snippets, but generally not a worthwhile read.
August 26, 2022
This book takes us on a journey of self-discovery, spirituality, and personal growth.
The story's protagonist is on a quest to discover if Motherhood is her yearning. This gives rise to a theme of journeys both geographically and through her relationships.
There is also a theme of loss woven within the book. But we learn that if we embrace loss, we give rise to new beginnings and growth.
I loved this book and will be buying copies for several friends.
I am childfree by choice myself, and this book allowed me to feel seen. Many times I felt the author had a sneak peek into my brain.
Given the beautiful storytelling and descriptive characters as well as the self-reflective and humorous writing style, this book is for everyone, regardless of your parent status, gender or sexuality. This book will pull out different parts of your vulnerabilities and leave you feel whole and nourished!
The story's protagonist is on a quest to discover if Motherhood is her yearning. This gives rise to a theme of journeys both geographically and through her relationships.
There is also a theme of loss woven within the book. But we learn that if we embrace loss, we give rise to new beginnings and growth.
I loved this book and will be buying copies for several friends.
I am childfree by choice myself, and this book allowed me to feel seen. Many times I felt the author had a sneak peek into my brain.
Given the beautiful storytelling and descriptive characters as well as the self-reflective and humorous writing style, this book is for everyone, regardless of your parent status, gender or sexuality. This book will pull out different parts of your vulnerabilities and leave you feel whole and nourished!
August 30, 2024
It is great to see more novels appearing that focus on women exploring choice within their lives - questioning not just how or when, but if they really want to be mothers. And also how you then create a meaningful or joyful life on the other side of this decision. Adding to this emerging trend, Wild Egg is the story of one woman's search for her childfree life.
Focusing around the character of Hollie Hardwick, we meet her as a successful, high-flying career woman, happily married to Hugh. All of this suddenly gets blown apart by her husband announcing he'd quite like to try for a baby. Hollie, who has never really considered having kids, undergoes a soul-searching journey to find out if she would like a baby after all. This conscious and careful decision-making process leads her to therapy sessions and mindfulness retreats as she searches for her true path - ultimately deciding that she is not destined to be a mother.
However, that isn't the end to Hollie's searching. She goes on to more deeply analyse her entire life - questioning whether she is living authentically and respecting her true self. Needless to say, radical changes are made! And this is where the book speaks best to a wider non-mother audience, as childless women are also faced with the dilemma of wondering how they can move forwards and use their "mothering energy" to live an authentic and meaningful life. Hopefully we can all find some inspiration in the independent spirit of Hollie.
Focusing around the character of Hollie Hardwick, we meet her as a successful, high-flying career woman, happily married to Hugh. All of this suddenly gets blown apart by her husband announcing he'd quite like to try for a baby. Hollie, who has never really considered having kids, undergoes a soul-searching journey to find out if she would like a baby after all. This conscious and careful decision-making process leads her to therapy sessions and mindfulness retreats as she searches for her true path - ultimately deciding that she is not destined to be a mother.
However, that isn't the end to Hollie's searching. She goes on to more deeply analyse her entire life - questioning whether she is living authentically and respecting her true self. Needless to say, radical changes are made! And this is where the book speaks best to a wider non-mother audience, as childless women are also faced with the dilemma of wondering how they can move forwards and use their "mothering energy" to live an authentic and meaningful life. Hopefully we can all find some inspiration in the independent spirit of Hollie.
April 28, 2024
It is really just a journey to trusting yourself. How do you know what you want? Do you listen to your intuition when you hear it?
Everyone is on their own journey. I found the main character relatable, at times it felt as though the book had picked the questions right out of my brain.
I love reading stories of people who are child free by choice. It helps make my choice of being child free more comfortable and sparked some really good conversations with my friends who have children.
Everyone is on their own journey. I found the main character relatable, at times it felt as though the book had picked the questions right out of my brain.
I love reading stories of people who are child free by choice. It helps make my choice of being child free more comfortable and sparked some really good conversations with my friends who have children.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews