Matrescence

On the Metamorphosis of Pregnancy, Childbirth and Motherhood

By: Lucy Jones

Narrated by: Lucy Jones

Brought to you by Penguin.

During pregnancy, childbirth, and early motherhood, women undergo a far-reaching physiological, psychological and social metamorphosis.

There is no other time in a human's life course that entails such dramatic change - other than adolescence. And yet this life-altering transition has been sorely neglected by science, medicine and philosophy. Its seismic effects go largely unrepresented across literature and the arts. Speaking about motherhood as anything other than a pastel-hued dream remains, for the most part, taboo.

In this ground-breaking, deeply personal investigation, acclaimed journalist and author Lucy Jones brings to light the emerging concept of 'matrescence'. Drawing on new research across various fields - neuroscience and evolutionary biology; psychoanalysis and existential therapy; sociology, economics and ecology - Jones shows how the changes in the maternal mind, brain and body are far more profound, wild and enduring than we have been led to believe. She reveals the dangerous consequences of our neglect of the maternal experience and interrogates the patriarchal and capitalist systems that have created the untenable situation mothers face today.

Here is an urgent examination of the modern institution of motherhood, which seeks to unshackle all parents from oppressive social norms. As it deepens our understanding of matrescence, it raises vital questions about motherhood and femininity; interdependence and individual identity; as well as about our relationships with each other and the living world.

©2023 Lucy Jones (P)2023 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

Matrescence took me on a journey of reminescence through my own pregnancies and early years of motherhood, eliciting wry recognition, surprise at new evidence and insight, and gratitude for a work that really sees what it is to mother (Clare Chambers)

A beautiful contemplation of the extraordinary yet ordinary metamorphosis that adult humans undergo as they become mothers ... I was entranced ... Matrescence is a passionate and powerful maternal roar for change (Gaia Vince)

Hypnotic, fascinating and long overdue. I am so glad it exists. A gift of a book and told beautifully. (Laura Dockrill)

Very valuable!

I love Lucy Jones honestly, it made me more compassionate towards mothers, and myself as someone who is pregnant right now. Her story inspires courage at the same time reveling the pregnancy, birthing and mothering challenges.
I sincerely appreciate her integration of nature and promotion of love and care towards the life and all the living beings. Lucy really has her finger on the pulse of the current state of the affairs!

Engaging and interesting

As a single male with friends having children, I listened to this book out of curiosity. The book is both an engaging story of becoming a mother and a look at evidence based research in the field. It was quite fascinating to learn about the challenges of the process. I also really appreciate how the author clearly lists all the double standards and the unfair expectations women face in society without making the book sound like a feminists rant. I highly recommend listening to this book if you know anyone going through becoming a mother.

Absolutely amazing read

I’m a father and a husband. And this book helped me a lot to understand my wife and all the women out there.

Not a source to learn about matrescence

The book has very little to do with the term matrescence and is not a reliable source for learning about it. Instead, it is a sad and often very angry story of one unlucky mother, who is whining in her book. It offers very little relevant scientific information about matrescence but contains plenty of unrelated details about bugs and plants.

I absolutely don’t recommend this book to anyone planning to become a mother or who has just become one. Most likely, it will make you feel even more depressed, as it did for me. The book is filled with highly subjective opinions, and it’s important to remember that your motherhood experience won’t necessarily be as dark as the author’s.

Listening to it on Audible, with the author narrating it herself, makes the experience even worse—she sounds so angry. I rarely abandon books, but I couldn’t bring myself to finish this one.