The Republic of Parenthood

Drawn from Cosslett’s agenda-setting Guardian column, alongside new essays and beautiful illustrations by Pia Bramley, The Republic of Parenthood is a fearless account of the first years of bringing up a baby.

Motherhood feels as though you have woken up in Oz and everything’s in Technicolor. But you’ve also been crushed by a house.

Rhiannon Lucy Cosslett began writing The Republic of Parenthood in the final weeks of her pregnancy. The plan was to document, in real time, what it means to be a parent in Britain today. But when her son was born five weeks early, she found herself catapulted into parenthood: a world of crushing love, and fear, and hope.

Drawn from Cosslett’s agenda-setting Guardian column, alongside new essays and beautiful illustrations by Pia Bramley, The Republic of Parenthood is a fearless account of the first years of this new life. From Rachel Cusk to Anne Enright, many seminal writers have tackled the subject but, as a new generation become parents, Cosslett uses razor-sharp honesty and great humour to explore the unique challenges they face.

The Republic of Parenthood wrestles with the entire joyful, overwhelming, messy experience, whether writing about the impact of Britain’s catastrophically expensive childcare system, or the quest for the pair of socks that can withstand a persistent toddler’s best efforts. At its heart is the understanding that something so entirely personal is also political; a paean to love and pain, and one that will resonate with weary parents everywhere.

‘A truly fearless writer’ Becky Barnicoat, author of Cry When the Baby Cries

‘Will bring comfort and courage to all its readers’ Nell Frizzell, author of Holding the Baby

‘This funny and often political collection of her columns is one of the few books I have read that honestly conveys the cocktail of complicated feelings that accompany becoming a parent’ Caroline Sanderson, The Bookseller