Blog Review: Baby Proof by Emily Giffin
I’ve always found that every book has its own fingerprint—its quirks, charms, and at times, its very palpable flaws. Emily Giffin’s Baby Proof had been sitting in my TBR pile for ages. I was drawn in by the blurb promising a complex exploration of love, choice, and the sometimes fraught journey of motherhood—or the rejection of it, as in the case of our main character, Claudia. In my quest for heartfelt narratives, I braced myself for what I thought would be a poignant exploration of Claudia’s aversion to motherhood. What I didn’t expect was a story that would leave me feeling so… conflicted.
From the get-go, I found Claudia difficult to relate to. She’s a savvy editor in publishing and fiercely intelligent, yet her self-importance often clouds her perspective. I was eager to experience her journey firsthand, but Giffin’s narrative style kept me at arm’s length. The storytelling felt more like a series of recaps rather than an immersive experience. Claudia shares her life with a matter-of-fact tone that implies a distance from the very events she narrates. I craved the emotional weight that comes from living the moment alongside a character, but instead, I felt as if I were merely flipping through a well-polished journal entry.
One theme that emerges is the pressure society places on women concerning motherhood. Claudia’s aversion to having children isn’t just a personal choice; it’s a battle she fights against familial and societal expectations. Giffin touches on this stigma, but sometimes it feels glossed over, leading to missed opportunities for deeper exploration. I often found myself shaking my head at Claudia’s judgmental thoughts and assumptions about those around her. Her contentious relationship with Ben, her husband, strikes a nerve—especially when he pressures her about starting a family. The frustration I experienced on her behalf quickly turned to annoyance.
Then there’s the climax of the story where Claudia’s journey takes an unexpected twist. Just when I thought I had her figured out, she’s faced with a life-changing proposition from a new partner. This pivot felt jarring and left me questioning the authenticity of her character development. Could a woman who has steadfastly vowed against motherhood truly consider it for the sake of her current relationship? It felt contrived as if the author needed a resolution and fell back on an unlikely narrative twist that didn’t feel earned.
While Giffin’s attempt to address profound societal questions regarding motherhood is commendable, the execution often felt flat. The Reading Group Guide at the end of the book certainly invites deeper discussion, but ironically, it felt like the author was attempting to make a statement without fully fleshing it out in Claudia’s story.
If you’re a reader who finds enjoyment in character-driven narratives and can overlook erratic storytelling techniques, you may find Baby Proof to be an interesting reflection on love and choices. However, for those like me, who seek connections through emotional immediacy, this book may leave you wanting more. I left the pages feeling dissatisfied, torn between wanting to empathize and simply being frustrated with Claudia’s choices.
Ultimately, my experience with Baby Proof has heightened my appreciation for engaging writing—a reminder that characters need to be nuanced and relatable, especially when dealing with such tender themes as motherhood. If anything, I gained clarity about what I need from fiction: a visceral connection to the characters and their journeys. In that regard, this particular narrative just didn’t reach the mark for me. But perhaps it’s worth diving in for the discourse it may inspire—just be prepared for a bit of a rollercoaster ride!