Babyville [Paperback]

To have a baby or not to have a baby, that is the question that's facing Jane Green's heroines in her fifth novel, Babyville. Julia, Maeve and Sam are pondering the pros and cons of procreation; the effect that it could have on their careers, partners and lives.

The novel opens with Julia, a successful TV producer, with her legs straight up in the air, encouraging her boyfriend Mark's sperm to reach their destination. Julia thinks she wants a baby to fill the huge gap that has suddenly appeared in her life. But Mark thinks:

We don't make love anymore. We make babies. And we're failing.

Maeve, who also works in TV, is adamant that she doesn't want a baby or a relationship; she's happy as a single, ambitious, career girl: "The togetherness. The cosiness. That coupledom that is pure anathema to me." But she finds herself pregnant after a one-night stand and finds that her preconceptions turn out to be misconceptions. And finally there is Sam; voluptuously, glowingly pregnant at the beginning of the book, but near the end screaming at her beloved partner Chris: "You haven't been stuck in all day with a screaming baby. You have absolutely no idea what it's like for me." Chris feels "neglected. Abandoned . Unwanted."

Babyville is played out in the present tense, with a staccato style delivery, with beats of humour between the emotional labour. The emotions may be powerful and universal, but the prose style may need a longer fermentation period. --Eithne Farry --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

'It's ... spot on. Once you pick up Babyville, it's unlikely you'll be able to put it down.' --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

'This is a warm, lively, wise and distinctly unputdownable novel.' --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

'Entertainingly and sympathetically told by an author who treats the tricky topics ... with heart-warming honesty and humour.' --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

'An engaging novel with acutely observed characters and situations.' --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

'This eventful and emotional comedy will have you hooked.' --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Julia and Mark are stuck in a loveless relationship. Julia thinks a baby will help, but perhaps that isn't the answer to her problems.

Maeve is totally allergic to commitment - she breaks out in a rash whenever she passes a buggy. Then a one-night-stand results in an unwanted pregnancy. But just how unwanted is it?

Samantha is besotted with her new-born baby. But how is husband Chris coping with his suddenly unavailable wife, and is Samantha's obsession as healthy as it seems?

Jane Green is a former journalist who gave up her job on the Daily Express to write a real woman's account of being single in the city. That account became Jane's first novel, Straight Talking. A huge success, Straight Talking was followed by nine more bestselling novels: Jemima J, Mr Maybe, Bookends, Babyville, Spellbound, the Other Woman, Life Swap, Second Chance, The Beach House and Girl Friday. Jane and her husband live with their children in Connecticut.