Le scelte sono nate dai miei solito approfondimenti, dai consigli di chi mi fido, di qualche lista. Ho imparato a tornare al vecchio stile e usare meno i social, anche se, non lo nego certo, per star dietro alle nuove uscite sono impareggiabili. Ciò non toglie che ai maschietti dotati di intelligenza questo libro potrebbe lasciare qualcosa di altrettanto importante. A different version of the novel might have cast Alina as the narrator. Instead, Laura serves as witness and interpreter, establishing a buffer between the reader and the book’s harrowing events. The prose, which appears in an elegant translation by Rosalind Harvey, retains a matter-of-factness, and in some places a synoptic quality … that is rarely freighted with sadness or despair. One result is that the tumult of a doomed pregnancy and the insufficiencies of women’s healthcare recede. It’s friendship, not crisis, that emerges as the novel’s focal point.’ Forse molti dei motivi per cui non mi sono trovata in questo romanzo e in queste riflessioni sono strettamente personali, può darsi, quindi non approfondirò ulteriormente. Guadalupe Nettel was born in Mexico and grew up between Mexico and France. She is the author of the international award winning novels El huésped [The Guest] (2006), The Body Where I Was Born (2011), After the Winter (2014, Herralde Novel Prize) and Still Born (2020) and three collections of short stories, all published by Anagrama, the most prestigious of all Spanish-language publishing houses. Her work has been translated into more than fifteen languages and has appeared in publications such as Granta, The White Review, El País, the New York Times, La Repubblica and La Stampa. She currently lives in Mexico City where she’s the director of the magazine Revista de la Universidad de México.

Nettel interweaves the two character’s experiences effortlessly: deftly contrasting the sheer heartbreak of Alina and the impossibility of losing a child, with the amiability of Laura’s newfound relationship with neighbour and boy. Cuando empecé a leerlo me pareció que esta historia ya la había leído en FB, en esos miles de posteos que te llegan por cualquier red social donde hay una mamá o un papá contando la historia de sus hijitos recién nacidos con alguna enfermedad mortal y piden tu ayuda para pagar el tratamiento, o los estudios o la hospitalización. Claro que continué leyendo porque a todos nos interesan las historias de esos bebés extraños y ajenos donde el dolor no es nuestro pero nos hacen partícipes. Así es esta historia, la historia de Alina y su bebé Inés.

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I read Still Born in less than a day. It is perfect: deeply feminist, wise, funny and alive. Nettel is generous to each of her characters, and in prose that is crisp and light. I love this book.’ Guadalupe Nettel ci immerge in questa atmosfera di desiderio e di attesa, dolore e speranza, allargando lo sguardo e poi stringendolo su un personaggio o un particolare. Riflettendo e lasciando spazi aperti alla riflessione individuale.

An unflinching, compassionate meditation on mothers, daughters and sisters – both blood-related and chosen – Still Bornstirred me and consoled me, renewing my faith in the power of women’s communities. Guadalupe Nettel has managed the impossible task of writing a work of both exacting honesty and immense tenderness, on one of the most delicate topics.’Rosalind Harvey is a literary translator and educator from Bristol, now based in Coventry in the West Midlands, UK. I read Still Bornin less than a day. It is perfect: deeply feminist, wise, funny and alive. Nettel is generous to each of her characters, and in prose that is crisp and light. I love this book.’

Alina and Laura are friends, after many attempts of trying with her husband Alina is finally pregnant, while Laura moves into a new flat. Inadvertently, even Laura thinks she not really equipped for motherhood, she forms a bond with the next door neighbour’s son. Meanwhile Alina, going through the trials of pregnancy, learns that her child will have a brain defect and may die upon birth, something which changes her perspective towards life and her relationship with both her husband and Laura (as to be expected). Alina does give birth, and a successful one but I don’t think it’s right to tell the outcome as the book goes into more interesting territories after.

Roger Bloor’s poems have many influences and origins, some relating to his experiences as a doctor providing psychological support to women following stillbirth and miscarriage. He has an MA in Poetry Writing and won the Poetry London Clore Prize 2019. Still Born is a moving, nuanced exploration of motherhood and the complexity of the maternal instinct… What follows is a complicated journey from pregnancy to new life, during which both Alina and Laura’s views on parenthood are put to the test as life throws complications at them that they could never have envisaged. All sides of the argument are handled with delicacy and insight, and aside from a recurring pigeon metaphor that feels a little too on-the nose, the writing is subtle, sharp, and beautifully rendered thanks to Rosalind Harvey’s smooth translation.’