MotherStruck!

By: Staceyann Chin

Narrated by: Staceyann Chin

Length: 1 hr and 34 mins

Publisher's summary

Meet. Love. Break. Recover. That’s been the routine of Staceyann Chin’s romantic life. But at 35, after yet another devastating breakup and overcome by an urgent and all-consuming desire to have a child, Chin realizes she’s running out of time. So she sets her sights on a single target: motherhood.

There’s just one problem. As a single black lesbian whose career as a poet and political activist has landed her on Oprah and in The New York Times but left her flat broke and without health insurance, Chin’s options are limited. Meanwhile, the Jamaican-Chinese Brooklyn resident can “feel the eggs drying up inside my aging ovaries”.

MotherStruck! is Staceyann Chin’s heartbreaking and hilarious true account of her years-long battle to become a parent. Helped on her quest by Peter, a gay man she marries to start an “army of children” and C.J., her supremely supportive brother-in-law, Chin chronicles her struggles to navigate America’s broken health-care system, multiple threats of a miscarriage, and weeks of doctored-ordered bed rest while desperately needing to earn a living.

Featuring an original score by Grammy-nominated songwriter Meshell Ndegeocello, MotherStruck! is a triumphant story about the true meaning of parenthood, the many forms that family can take, and discovering what really matters in life and love.

Likeness based on photography by Melissa Mahoney

©2019 Audible Originals, LLC (P)2019 Audible Originals, LLC.

laugh till you cry, a lesson to be learned

a diverse story line - would love to send to all of my friends and some, excellent narration, sound, music; this audible was better than the ones I spend a credit on...please keep writing and I will keep listening - well done 👏

Fast Paced, Witty and a Great New Perspective!

I loved listening to this as narrated by the author. Her intensity and inflection add so much to the story. It’s quick and pithy - you don’t have time to experience full character development or delve into minutiae but the author has an uncanny ability to pinpoint just enough specific detail to drive the narrative through a lifetime of of her experiences. Listening to this book felt like I was watching her do a live stand up soliloquy and I thoroughly enjoyed being along for the ride.

Awesomeness

There are so many reasons to listen to this Original. Staceyann Chin brings listeners through her scintillating odyssey of becoming a mother, with stops along the way that include her coming out, coming to America and so many other things that don't need to be spoiled in a review. She is ribald, raw, hilarious and touching. The sound design is particularly outstanding - lots of nice touches that keep this piece brisk and throbbing with energy. Such a fun and enjoyable listen.

Good Short Listen

Loved the storyline and especially that the author was the narrator. Wish it had been longer. My only negative was that the space breaks were too long.

Amazing

My my my I am so sad I miss this wonderful woman approach the scene But now that I know about her I am loving every word she speaks!

And you thought parenting was tough

It is very mind-opening to experience the short span of one woman trying to have a child in and over burgeoning Brooklyn that is close to pushing her out...and she’s an artist! This production is full of great music and storytelling on the same level (perhaps better) than Trevor Noah’s Born a Crime.

Loved it!!!

Staceyann Chin is awesome narrator. Listening to her speak about her struggle to become a mother and then become a single mother you felt her pain, strength, and love.

Funny sweary mini-memoir

Fun to listen to! It's like a mini-memoir, giving glimpses into different stages of life, all connected to the desire to have a child, then how to raise a child. While there are some unfortunate events, the telling has quite a bit of hope.

Good good nourishment

Gulped this down in one listen and loved every minute. Laughed and brought tears to my eyes. Phenomenal performance by the author, phenomenal writing!

Never got into story mode

This is not what I expected. It reads like bullet point powerpoint of a person's life:

• 1995 terrible violation
• 1997 Convenience marriage
• 1998 Met a girl
• 1999 somebody died

The book never really got into story mode. I know that the style of writing is what threw me off. However, others found this amazing. If the story interest you enough then give it a try, you may be able to get past the style. I do plan on trying another one of her stories. I've heard great things about the author and I'd like to experience it. Again, I think it's just the writing style of this story that didnt vibe well with me.

2 Stars 🌟🌟- Decent. Has Potential. Possibly a good idea for a story but something could have been better.