The Republic of Parenthood
On Bringing Up Babies
Published on 7. August 2025
Book
Hardback
272 pages
978-0-7156-5585-6 (ISBN)
Description
'The perfect new baby gift, even for parents doing it a second and third time around' Alice Vincent, author of Hark
'Will bring comfort and courage to all its readers' Nell Frizzell, author of Holding the Baby
Motherhood feels as though you have woken up in Oz and everything's in Technicolor. But also, you've 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.
'Will bring comfort and courage to all its readers' Nell Frizzell, author of Holding the Baby
Motherhood feels as though you have woken up in Oz and everything's in Technicolor. But also, you've 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.
Reviews / Votes
'How glad I am for Cosslett's bright, magpie-like mind. Gathering knowledge and insight from all over - works of literature, online forums, the playground bench - she makes a courageous investigation of modern motherhood; a vast, polyphonous celebration of new parenthood in all its forms' Helen Jukes, author of Mother Animal '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 'Rhiannon Lucy Cosslett is one of the most righteous, well-informed, entertaining and much-needed voices we have today, writing about motherhood, family, health, politics, babies and all the other things that keep us up at night. This beautiful collaboration with Pia Bramley is a perfect fit and will bring comfort and courage to all its readers' Nell Frizzell, author of Holding the Baby 'I am so grateful for Rhiannon Lucy Cosslett's groundbreaking essays on parenthood. She is a truly fearless writer, taking on the politics of parenting, the social injustices, but also - vitally - the love, joy, and absolute silliness involved in raising children. This collection is essential reading for parents, grandparents, politicians, and anyone who has ever been parented' Becky Barnicoat, author of Cry When the Baby Cries 'Her writing is honest, emotive, and balanced as can be' The Yorkshire PostMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Duckworth Books
Dimensions
Height: 220 mm
Width: 136 mm
Thickness: 27 mm
Weight
372 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-7156-5585-6 (9780715655856)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Persons
Rhiannon Lucy Cosslett is a journalist and writer. She is the the author of the novel The Tyranny of Lost Things and the critically acclaimed memoir, The Year of the Cat, and the co-author of The Vagenda. She is a columnist for the Guardian and Vogue, and has written for Elle, Stylist, New Statesman, Independent and Time.