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The Motherload: Episodes from the Brink of Motherhood

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Description

NATIONAL BESTSELLER “A long overdue reality check.” —Oprah Daily “Honest, unapologetic, and brutally funny.” —Stephanie Danler, New York Times bestselling author of Sweetbitter A Most Anticipated Book of 2025 by Oprah Daily, Town & Country, and Brit + Co Belletrist Book Club Pick The Times (London) Book of the Week An unflinching motherhood memoir that dares to ask what happens when “what to expect when you’re expecting” turns out to be months of rage, anguish, brain fog, and a total surrender of sex, career, and identity. “The kid was objectively a tiny worm, even worse, a worm with my nose.” Welcome to Sarah Hoover’s candid and propulsive take on motherhood where she turns the ecstatic narrative women have been fed—one of immediate connection to your child followed by a joyful path of maternal discovery—on its head. Like most of us, Sarah Hoover grew up imagining a certain life for herself, and when she moved from Indiana to New York City to study art history, the life she’d imagined began falling into place. She got her degree in art history, landed a job in a gallery, made friends, and met interesting artists, one of whom became her husband. But when Hoover got pregnant, everything in her life began to unravel. She felt like an imposter in her own body. She grew distant from her friends and husband. Anxiety, fear, guilt, and shame threatened to swallow her. She also experienced trauma at the hands of one of her doctors—a stark trigger. And when her son was born, there was no… joy. Her despair was persistent, even with help, therapy, and pills. Grieving a lost identity and angry at the world around her, she found herself despising her baby, her husband, and herself. She was afraid it might not end. With the help of a doctor’s diagnosis, Hoover began to understand the cluster of symptoms that informed her experience—she was drowning in postpartum depression—and that she wasn’t a bad mother or a failed woman. At its core, The Motherload is about learning to forgive yourself. It’s a rejection of the cultural idea of the mother as a perfect being. And it’s an honest, propulsive, and often funny take on the vicissitudes of marriage, life, and parenting—a motherhood memoir unlike any other. Read more

Publisher ‏ : ‎ S&S/Simon Element


Publication date ‏ : ‎ January 14, 2025


Language ‏ : ‎ English


Print length ‏ : ‎ 352 pages


ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1668010135


ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 36


Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.2 pounds


Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 1.2 x 9 inches


Best Sellers Rank: #100,765 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #11 in Postpartum Depression #161 in Motherhood (Books) #1,407 in Memoirs (Books)


#11 in Postpartum Depression:


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If you place your order now, the estimated arrival date for this product is: Feb 21 – Feb 25

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Top Amazon Reviews


  • We need more books like this one
Format: Hardcover
It took me a while to get into it, but then the book kept getting more compelling. A quick and enjoyable read, and it is smartly written. In the frankly repressive culture of perfectly regulated figures like Dr. Becky (no hate, we all love/need you Dr. Becky) Hoover is a breath of fresh air for being acerbic, funny, and not always likeable. We need more people who are honest like this about motherhood, relationships, and mental health struggles (especially postpartum), and who don’t try to project an image of perfection and perpetual regulation. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on August 12, 2025 by Alison

  • Verified purchase/reader
Format: Hardcover
I read & liked the book, and I’m keeping it. Bought extra 4 books as gifts, but I’m returning those 4 in original packaging because it isn’t appropriate for the intended recipients.
Reviewed in the United States on December 23, 2025 by Verified purchase in AZ

  • Great read!
Format: Hardcover
Sarah Hoover’s The Motherload is an emotional rollercoaster that dives into the untold truths of motherhood with humor and raw honesty. Sarah’s brilliance shines through as she shares her deepest, most intimate thoughts, balancing vulnerability with sharp wit and clarity. From her beginnings in Indiana to life in the big city, I felt like I was right there beside her, experiencing every moment of her journey. This book is not only easy to read but utterly captivating. I couldn’t put it down and can’t wait to see what she creates next! ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on January 17, 2025 by Ann Peterson

  • DEVOURED this!!
Format: Hardcover
wow. I am a mother, and while I cannot fully relate to Sarah's grueling PP journey, I found this SO profound, needed, and entertaining to read. I couldn't put it down. I love how Sarah put language to her relationship with her son, and also her own mother. This is a book about many things — the relationship between mothers and their children one of them. Sarah, please write another book!! This was gold. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on May 7, 2025 by mae

  • a good read
Format: Hardcover
I liked the pace of her book, it kept moving and never got boring for me. I didn't like that she had to throw her political nonsense in. it could be offensive to some people as it was with me.
Reviewed in the United States on January 28, 2025 by Harriet R. Wasserman

  • Could not put it down!!
Format: Hardcover
After being unable to get through a book for 3 years after I had my daughter, I blew through this in 3 days. It is raw and unapologetic and honestly the voice of a generation. Hoover says all the things we are told not to say and feels all the things we are scared to admit we feel. From her experiences with men in her 20s to her birth and post partum trauma, I felt she was writing my story and the story of countless women I know! It’s also so damn funny and well written. Couldn’t have loved it more! ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on January 18, 2025 by Brian Collesano

  • I read the whole thing and I'm child-free and barren.
Format: Hardcover
Well written and engrossing book. I don't have kids but I still enjoyed it. The author has an interesting perspective. I hope there's more to her than just being a mother. She's so much more interesting than that. Also question: if a parent dislikes their child, is it ok for other people to dislike their child as well? ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on May 14, 2025 by S. Joseph

  • We all need to read this!!!
Format: Hardcover
As someone who has yet to produce a human, I am eternally grateful for this book existing. It is one of the wittiest, honest, eloquent takes on motherhood. I have so many friends who have struggled with postpartum in varying degrees and am relieved it is finally at long last being destigmatized. I think we are lucky to have someone like Sarah Hoover to do that for us. I bought another copy for my boyfriend because I think men need to be educated on the myth of motherhood as well. I cannot believe this is her first book, I hope it is not her last! ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on January 22, 2025 by Lily Mortimer

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