No Kids: 40 Good Reasons Not to Have Children
Author Maiers (Bonjour Laziness), a mother of two, delivers a corrosive take on children and parenting that's far more caustic than comedic. Originally published in France, these 40 reasons to avoid having children range from the familiar (the death of desire, the expense, the career sacrifice) to the outrageous (children are disappointing, there are already too many), pushing back against "baby mania" with unrelenting pessimism, sarcasm and downright viciousness ("every family is an inescapable nest of vipers"). For all her overwhelming, histrionic bitching, Maier's admitted regret over having children is never really examined, nor is her choice to have them in the first place; any subject meriting deeper reflection is quickly dismissed. Readers who already resent children will sympathize, but average breeders will likely be repulsed.Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.