Bookclub: "Olive" by Emma Gannon

Faith

I've shamelessly stolen this brilliant idea from a childfree meet-up group I'm part of because I thought it would work really well here.

The idea is to get a discussion going around a book, TV show, film or other media that depicts or discusses a childfree lifestyle. This idea can obviously be refined over time, but I thought I'd start us off with a book that I've read that sparked a lively debate amongst the group of us that read it - "Olive" by Emma Gannon.

The debut novel from the Sunday Times bestselling author, Emma Gannon.

Independent.
Adrift.
Anxious.
Loyal.
Kind.
Knows her own mind.

OLIVE is many things, and it’s ok that she’s still figuring it all out, navigating her world without a compass. But life comes with expectations, there are choices to be made, boxes to tick and – sometimes – stereotypes to fulfil. And when her best friends’ lives start to branch away towards marriage and motherhood, leaving the path they’ve always followed together, Olive starts to question her choices – because life according to Olive looks a little bit different.

Moving, memorable and a mirror for every woman at a crossroads, OLIVE has a little bit of all of us. Told with great warmth and nostalgia, this is a modern tale about the obstacle course of adulthood, milestone decisions and the ‘taboo’ about choosing not to have children.

If you've never heard of the book, feel free to pick up a copy and join the discussion. If you've read it, just jump right in with your thoughts!

If you have not read the book, please don't read any further on this thread if you don't want to see massive spoilers! I don't think it's necessary to use spoiler tags because the assumption will be that those reading the thread have read the book, but feel free to if you'd prefer.

cee_jay

I haven't read this yet, but I have just ordered it on Borrowbox, and should have it by the end of the month. If anyone else is interested in reading it, I recommend using Borrowbox if you are a member of the library!

cee_jay

cee_jay wrote: »

I haven't read this yet, but I have just ordered it on Borrowbox, and should have it by the end of the month. If anyone else is interested in reading it, I recommend using Borrowbox if you are a member of the library!

Never heard of that so thanks I’m learning lots- thanks -I need to get into this borrowing books lark instead of buying books and instead save my money for my retirement

cee_jay

I have a LOT of books (I read 80-100 a year), so I am a big fan of the library. I also now read electronically in the main, as my house is way too small to store all my books - they all fit on one small Kindle though. Borrowbox is an amazing resource - you can borrow audio or ebooks. Library is taking memberships online too during covid - link to Dublin City one is below, but all libraries have access I think. Oh you can get free magazines and newspapers also through another free library service (I haven't used this though).
https://www.dublincity.ie/library/blog/ebooks-and-eaudiobooks-now-available

Anyway, looking forward to reading this book, it sounds quite up my street.

cee_jay

I have this book lined up to read next.
I am currently reading Eligible by Curtis Sittenfeld which is a modern retelling of Pride and Prejudice. I laughed out loud at a section in the book yesterday - a character knows she doesn't want to have kids, and there is a rant where she lists all the excuses (for example who will look after you when you are old) and how she enjoys her life just as it is. It is nicely balanced with another character who has the biological clock ticking and trying to have a child.