Kid Gloves Nine Months of Careful Chaos

Lucy Knisley — 2019

A New York Times bestseller If you work hard enough, if you want it enough, if you’re smart and talented and “good enough,” you can do anything. Except get pregnant. Her whole life, Lucy Knisley wanted to be a mother. But when it was finally the perfect time, conceiving turned out to be harder than anything she’d ever attempted. Fertility problems were followed by miscarriages, and her eventual successful pregnancy plagued by health issues, up to a dramatic, near-death experience during labor and delivery. This moving, hilarious, and surprisingly informative memoir, Kid Gloves, not only follows Lucy’s personal transition into motherhood but also illustrates the history and science of reproductive health from all angles, including curious facts and inspiring (and notorious) figures in medicine and midwifery. Whether you’ve got kids, want them, or want nothing to do with them, there’s something in this graphic memoir to open your mind and heart.

Reviews

Emily Burns@emilymelissabee

Jul 3, 2024

This brought me right back to pregnancy and labour and early postpartum, for better or worse. It is written with love and honesty and is charming in the way that all of her books are. May be better for recently postpartum parents, rather than expectant ones, depending on your sensitivity to frank truths about the difficult parts, but is ultimately affirming, hopeful, and lovely.

Belle@bellebcooper

Nov 6, 2022

Definitely warned me off pregnancy and giving birth! Good story though, and some good facts alongside.

Amanda Schutz@amandaschutzie

Feb 13, 2022

incredible <3

b.andherbooks@bandherbooks

Oct 9, 2021

Content warning: miscarriage I adore Lucy Knisley's work, and this book is no exception. I truly appreciated Knisley's open willingness to discuss her struggles with pregnancy. The way she can depict her emotions through her art is just masterful. I also love how she explores history through her own story, and I even learned some new facts about my body that I should have probably known. That said, if you want to get pregnant, are trying to get pregnant, or are currently pregnant, be sure you want to read and visualize some pretty horrific stuff. Lucy doesn't have an easy pregnancy or labor, so I'm just telling you that in advance. Otherwise, highly recommend!