In her wickedly entertaining first short story collection, This Is Why We Can't Have Nice Things, Naomi Wood explores motherhood from multiple intriguing, often dark angles and revels in the sardonic humor of women who, having conformed for long enough, are resolute in their rebellion. With a few exceptions, Wood sets her scenes in London, and brings a thrilling focus to mothers rekindling sex lives, punishing former lovers, and navigating corporate dynamics while rejecting the confines of the society-sanctioned roles they are expected to play.
Wood's characters adore their children but crave sensual nourishment. The narrator of "Comorbidities," winner of the 2023 BBC National Short Story Award, is an anxious parent. After a glorious weekend during which her in-laws care for the children, she is blissfully zoned out on great sex and so relaxed she gorges on chicken feet at a dim sum restaurant, temporarily disregarding the fact that she is a pescatarian. In "Flatten the Curve," set during the Covid-19 lockdown, Deborah seeks distraction from the chaos of homeschooling by fantasizing about Andrei, her handsome shirtless neighbor who is "more straightforwardly masculine" than her husband.
In these nine penetrating stories, women confront the physical and emotional fallout of childbirth. Battling postnatal depression and judged by coworkers for returning to work earlier than expected, the protagonist in "Lesley, in Therapy" has "learnt her truth: work saves." With her high-risk pregnancy, Claudia in "Hurt Feelings" reluctantly prepares for "the dark hinterland of maternity leave." Undermined by coworkers, she longingly wonders "what Jacinda Ardern would do."
Dark thoughts beckon when mothers are unceremoniously abandoned. The French father of two in "A/A/A/A" escapes to Paris to "check out of family life," leaving his resentful wife juggling work and children. "Wedding Day" takes the resentment up a notch. The narrator's ex ended their relationship after their daughter was born. Now that the ex is getting married, she isn't going to make it easy for the new couple.
Yet, as with expectant mom Ani in "Peek-a-Boo," single motherhood has its allure. Ani doesn't want the baby's father, Lucca, in her life. While managing her own father, her man-child boss, and the new baby, Lucca will simply be one more person for her to look after.
In skillful prose with a delightful comedic edge, Wood (Mrs. Hemingway) introduces readers to a memorable sisterhood of women boldly assessing and recalibrating their identities as mothers in the age of modern parenting. --Shahina Piyarali
Shelf Talker: An acclaimed British author's first collection of nine short stories introduces readers to a memorable sisterhood of women and explores motherhood from multiple intriguing, often dark angles.