Personal memories of childhood play such a large role in how individuals may approach the role of parenthood, for better or worse. In the case of Priscilla Gilman, a highly-educated woman living an academic life enmeshed in poetry of the Romantic era, her perspective was fully in line with a “romantic” image of childhood. Days filled with endless wonder and exploration, marked by imaginative and emotional play pursuits- these were the marks of an ideal childhood experience.
When she welcomed her first child into the world, it was with these images dancing in her head as she visualized the years to come. Gilman’s new memoir The Anti-Romantic Child: A Story of Unexpected Joy chronicles her experiences as she embraces parenthood even as it brings about an unanticipated journey.
For more of my thoughts on this extraordinary memoir that addresses parenthood, marriage and career, please read the rest of my review of The Anti-Romantic Child on the 5 Minutes for Books feature on the Kirkus Reviews Blog.
We’re excited to be a part of the Kirkus Reviews Blog as weekly contributors of book reviews in the Lifestyle category. We’d love to hear your feedback, and since you can comment in connection with your Facebook account, hopefully the interaction will spread among your FB friends! Go ahead, click over to my review of The Anti-Romantic Child now!
Dawn has a lot to say about parenting three wacky kids herself, and she does so on her blog, my thoughts exactly.