It Sucked and then I Cried
Wednesday, June 24, 2009 at 10:02AM 16. Read 30 books and blog about them. (10/30)
It Sucked and then I Cried: How I Had a Baby, a Breakdown, and a Much Needed Margarita
by Heather Armstrong
Heather is the incredibly amusing writer of the blog Dooce. Much like Rebecca Woolf's book, Rockabye, Heather's book reads a lot like her blog. Not being an original Dooce reader, I was not along for the ride when Heather was pregnant with her first daughter and went through significant post-partum depression. I assumed the book would give a coherent picture of that experience, but I have to admit that I was disappointed. At times, she will write something like, "And I was no longer throwing one gallon milk jugs at my husband's head" but I didn't recall being told she was doing that in the first place. I feel like the depression was a glossed over in the description of the time it was occurring and I also feel that her hospital stay lacked description. I don't know if this was a conscious choice because these were details she didn't want to include, a writing error, or she doesn't actually remember all of it. I do wish I knew because otherwise, then, I feel a bit disappointed and cheated.
That isn't to say the book isn't an enjoyable read; it most certainly is. However, where I would read Rockabye again, I don't think I would read It Sucked and then I Cried again. That said, I do think it should be required reading for pregnant women. I am very grateful that we have women like Heather out there, talking about these difficult events in women's (and the men/partners' who love them) lives.
Reader Comments (4)
I'm a dooce fan from back around the time she eloped(those pictures are too cute). WAY BACK WHEN. Even the blog, I recall, glossed over a good part of the depression and she really didn't "talk" about it until after the fact. A little shame maybe?
Good point. And maybe by not recording it at the time, a lot of it is forgotten. I'd hate to think she's still ashamed of it; it would defeat the purpose of the book.
I'll have to go hunting for those eloping pics. (elopement?)
http://dooce.com/archives/photos/08_24_2002.html
Thanks! You're right - the pictures are awesome. Makes me want to elope. hehe