Comments on: Stranger Than Fiction: Jennifer Weiner and Other Authors Tackle Infertility

By: Brandy

Brandy — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 17:39:24 +0000

I’ve been wondering this same thing recently. My book club has an uncanny knack for picking books that either deal with pregnancy/pregnancy loss/infertility.

The last book we read was Noah’s Wife, which is by an author from where I live (Birmingham, Alabama) and we were lucky enough to have her come to our meeting and discuss. The story had a small side story about a woman who tried and tried to get pregnant, but never did. I wasn’t able to gather up the courage to ask her about the storyline and why she wrote it. I think I’ll go email her now and ask.

By: Flying Monkeys

Flying Monkeys — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 21:33:20 +0000

I’ve only recently read any of Weiner’s books and I love them. I think I noticed the theme from time to time pre infertility woes, sometimes after the woes I complete miss it. Maybe not when reading, because there was a time when I didn’t make time to read as often as I should have, but in other areas. Don’t laugh but there’s a scene in Dennis the Menace when Mrs Wilson tells Mr Wilson that it was him who was okay with not having children, she never was. I’ve often told my husband I didn’t want to be a Mrs Wilson. If we tried and it didn’t work that was different than not trying at all. (I could have read way too much into that scene too. I can do that.)
It seems when it is addressed outwardly it’s glossed by or quick fixed or the characters moved on without looking back or just never move on. It’s rare that it’s not over simplified.

By: jodifur

jodifur — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 14:06:27 +0000

I’ve read most of the books you’ve mentioned, and I simply never noticed that. But I never struggled with infertility, and I think you notice things more when it is in your life. For example, my son is being tested for special needs, and now I see special needs children everywhere. Or I work in child abuse, and I’m very sensitive to abused children.

By: Bea

Bea — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 12:56:16 +0000

Remember how you brought up a few fairy tales a couple of times? I think it’s been there prior to this.

I do also think that talking about it goes in and out of fashion, though. I think the technology and possibilities it represents is starting to make some people uncomfortable (as in, ordinary people, not those on the more extreme ends of the spectrum who object to any form of intervention at all) and I know that actually it started even before the technology was available, but remembering that the population at large is usually playing catchup with science fiction writers, readers, philosophers and scientists by a decade or two, I’d say we’re about seeing the broad extent of society’s musings now. Also, we’ve had ample time to thrash out the contraceptive pill and move on to fresher pastures…

Actually, that would be a good test. How much was being written about the contraceptive pill and related themes at the same point in its life cycle? What about other issues affecting women – liberalisation of divorce, rights of women in the workplace, etc? What about other social issues in general? My guess is that doing a comparative study would show that our fiction explores each new change and its ramifications – both actual and potential – in a predictable fashion, until society comes to grips with it thoroughly enough that the subject settles to background frequency again.

Thesis, anyone? Paper already published? But yes, I think we are just now – 30 odd years after IVF first worked – coming to that point in the life cycle of this ART, what with the (relative) affordability, success rates, therefore commonness, also the extra stuff we’re doing with it now such as donors, surrogacy, etc, and the same can be said for the advances in prenatal testing, care of sick and premie newborns. And a lot has been going on in other areas of medicine, but this comment is too long and it is too late to start musing over why ART or saving a premie baby generates more discussion than advances in the treatment of diabetes, say, which I think it does for various reasons.

Bea

By: Kristin

Kristin — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 23:53:56 +0000

The Bernie Mac show also dealt with infertility although I didn’t get to see as much of the storyline as I would have liked (I think the show ended early because of his health).

By: wifey

wifey — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 20:21:09 +0000

I’ve been seeing infertility/loss depicted everywhere, lately. I’m a big fan of Charlaine Harris (for quick, fun reads) and almost all of her books feature a main character who is infertile. Even the very popular True Blood books sort of deal with it – vampires can’t have children, and one of the weres has had many miscarriages.

I waver back and forth between loving her depictions of infertiles (because infertility isn’t the central driving force in their lives) and hating her depictions of infertiles (because infertility isn’t the central driving force in their lives, of course!)

By: Baby Smiling In Back Seat

Baby Smiling In Back Seat — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 10:09:18 +0000

Lately I’ve gotten into watching a TV show that was on the air before I was born, and I’ve seen more than one ALI theme incl. fertility treatments leading to HOM, which was ripped from the headlines and a new thing back then. This leads me to think that they’ve always been there but also that their representation in fiction has increased.

Remember that infant mortality a century ago was at 50%. Babyloss is not a new thing, but it is relatively new to think that it’s worth writing about.

By: Christina

Christina — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 07:09:15 +0000

This is something that I have noted quite a bit lately in both books and film. I recently read A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, a book written (I believe) in the 40′s and it takes place around 1915 and there was a clear infertile plotline. The main character, Francie, has an aunt who has had 10 babies, all born still. She adopts one and there is mention that she will soon have a live baby because most women who adopt end up having a baby soon after. I couldn’t help but think of the many causes for RPL and also the fact that this stigma has been perpetuated for decades. No wonder every person we know has the lovely advice to just adopt/relax/take a vacation/don’t think about it/you name it…and you’ll get pregnant!

By: Battynurse

Battynurse — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 05:54:46 +0000

I’ve wondered this a lot lately too. I’ve read so many books in the last 2 years that have had either a main theme or a secondary mention of infertility. In some cases I had chosen the book because it sounded interesting and I knew about the infertility stuff but it other cases it was a totally unexpected part. It just seems like it’s so much more common but then I’m so much more aware.

By: LJ

LJ — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 02:30:31 +0000

Damn you Calliope! I was coming here to say the same thing about cars!