In 'The Stories We Cannot Tell,' difficult pregnancies unite two very different women
In this episode of NPR's Book of the Day, Leslie A. Rasmussen discusses her novel "The Stories We Cannot Tell," which explores the profound desire for motherhood through the contrasting journeys of two women navigating difficult pregnancies. Drawing from her own personal experiences with infertility and miscarriages, Rasmussen delves into the societal and cultural challenges surrounding these sensitive topics.
With its depictions of Rachel and Katie's diverse backgrounds and belief systems, the novel provides nuanced perspectives on the complex emotions and moral considerations involved in making deeply personal decisions about pregnancy. As Rasmussen highlights, the novel aims to foster empathy for the myriad complexities surrounding pregnancy, birth, and reproductive rights in a post-Roe v. Wade landscape.
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1-Page Summary
The author's personal experiences and inspiration
Leslie A. Rasmussen shares her own 5-year struggle with infertility and miscarriages, including a traumatic incident mirroring that of her character Rachel. Feeling isolated, Rasmussen eventually found support through an organization. The COVID-19 pandemic inspired her to write a novel exploring the profound desire for motherhood.
The societal and cultural challenges
Rasmussen addresses the stigma and shame many women feel about pregnancy struggles and terminations, decisions often made for health reasons. The Dobbs decision overturning Roe v. Wade exacerbated this issue, according to Rasmussen. She hopes her novel set in California, where abortion rights remain, fosters empathy on these complex topics.
The diverse perspectives and decisions in the novel
Contrasting Journeys
Rachel desperately wants a child but faces complications, while Katie unexpectedly becomes pregnant, conflicted by her Catholic beliefs.
Differing Backgrounds
Rasmussen explores how the characters' upbringings—Rachel's pro-choice, Katie's Catholic—shape their approaches.
Nuanced Decision-Making
The novel delves into the complex emotions, moral considerations, and lack of easy answers as Rachel and Katie navigate their pregnancy journeys, per Rasmussen.
1-Page Summary
Additional Materials
Counterarguments
- While Rasmussen's novel may foster empathy, it might not change deeply held beliefs or policies regarding abortion rights, as these are often rooted in fundamental moral, religious, or political ideologies.
- The novel's setting in California, a state with protected abortion rights, may not resonate with readers from regions where the political and cultural climate is vastly different.
- The focus on personal struggle and desire for motherhood might inadvertently overshadow the narratives of women who choose not to have children or cannot have children for various reasons.
- The dichotomy presented between Rachel's pro-choice upbringing and Katie's Catholic background could be seen as oversimplifying the spectrum of beliefs and experiences related to pregnancy and motherhood.
- The novel's exploration of complex emotions and moral considerations might not fully capture the diversity of experiences across different cultures, socioeconomic statuses, or personal circumstances.
- The emphasis on the stigma and shame surrounding pregnancy struggles and terminations may not fully acknowledge or explore the perspectives of individuals and communities that view these issues through a different cultural or ethical lens.
Actionables
- You can start a virtual book club focused on novels that tackle social issues to encourage empathy and understanding. Choose a selection of books that delve into topics like infertility, abortion rights, and other complex social issues. Use social media or community forums to invite participants, and hold monthly discussions via video conferencing to explore different perspectives and personal experiences related to the themes in the books.
- Create a personal journal to explore your feelings about difficult topics such as infertility and reproductive rights. Use prompts inspired by the characters' struggles in the novel to reflect on your own beliefs and experiences. For example, write about a time when you faced a difficult decision that challenged your values, or how you would support a friend going through a similar situation as the characters.
- Engage in active listening when conversing with friends or family members about sensitive topics like those presented in the novel. Practice withholding judgment and asking open-ended questions to better understand their experiences and viewpoints. This can help build a supportive environment where people feel comfortable sharing their personal stories and challenges.
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The author's personal experiences and inspiration for the novel
Leslie A. Rasmussen shares her own harrowing journey with pregnancy issues, detailing the personal struggles that would later inspire her to pen a novel.
The author's own struggles with pregnancy and miscarriages over a 5-year period
Leslie A. Rasmussen shares her personal battle with fertility, recounting a five-year period filled with the heartache of recurrent miscarriages. Starting at age 29 and not having her first child until 34, she experienced the turbulence of pregnancy losses, which culminated in a deeply upsetting incident shortly before her second trimester—a story that mirrors the experiences of Rachel, a character in her book.
The author's search for support and resources during this difficult time
In her quest for understanding and support, Rasmussen recalls feeling isolated and directionless, exacerbated by a time when the internet and support networks were less accessible. She eventually discovered Resolve, an organization through which she connected with another woman facing similar trials. Together, they navigated their emotional journeys via email ex ...
Here’s what you’ll find in our full summary
The author's personal experiences and inspiration for the novel
Additional Materials
Actionables
- Start a personal journal to document your journey through challenging life events, which can serve as a therapeutic outlet and a future source of inspiration for creative projects. Writing down your feelings and experiences can help you process emotions and may eventually become the foundation for a personal blog, a book, or even a support resource for others facing similar situations.
- Create a digital support network by setting up a private online group for individuals going through similar life challenges. Use social media platforms or messaging apps to connect with others, share experiences, and offer mutual support. This can reduce feelings of isolation and provide a sense of community.
- Engage in a creative hobby that mirrors your life expe ...
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The societal and cultural challenges of discussing pregnancy and abortion
The stigma and shame surrounding pregnancy struggles and termination
Leslie A. Rasmussen talks about the societal pressure and emotional difficulties women face regarding pregnancy. She addresses the embarrassment and shame that many women feel when they struggle to maintain a pregnancy or when they must make the heartbreaking decision to terminate. According to Rasmussen, nobody should feel ashamed of these decisions, which are often made for reasons related to personal health or the viability of the pregnancy.
The impact of the Dobbs decision on the ability to discuss these issues
The overturning of Roe v. Wade, as condensed in the interviewer's mention of the Dobbs Supreme Court decision, has compounded the difficulty for women to speak openly about their pregnancy-related decisions. Rasmussen finds that the Dobbs decision exacerbates the problem by stripping away rights, prompting women to question whether there is something wrong with making personal health decisions. She emphasizes that in her novel's California setting, the right to pregnancy termination still stands despite the national implications of Dobbs. However, she conveys her shock at the overturning of Roe v. Wade and feels ...
Here’s what you’ll find in our full summary
The societal and cultural challenges of discussing pregnancy and abortion
Additional Materials
Counterarguments
- The belief that no one should feel ashamed of their pregnancy-related decisions may not consider cultural and personal values that view pregnancy and abortion through a moral lens.
- The assertion that the Dobbs decision makes it harder for women to discuss pregnancy-related decisions could be countered by the perspective that it allows for a more diverse set of state-level policies, reflecting the varied beliefs of the populace.
- The idea that the Dobbs decision strips away rights might be challenged by those who argue it corrects a perceived overreach of the judicial system and returns the decision-making power to elected state legislatures.
- While Rasmussen references the overturning of Roe v. Wade to authentic ...
Actionables
- Start a personal journal to reflect on and normalize your feelings about pregnancy and reproductive choices. Writing down your thoughts can be a therapeutic way to process complex emotions without fear of judgment. For example, if you're grappling with a difficult decision, journaling can help you articulate your feelings and may lead to a clearer understanding of your own stance on the matter.
- Create a small, private online support group for friends or acquaintances who wish to share their experiences with pregnancy and reproductive health. Use a platform like a private Facebook group or a secure chat app to facilitate a safe space where members can discuss their feelings and support each other. This can help break the silence and isolation that often accompanies these issues.
- Volunteer for or donate to organizations that ...
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The diverse perspectives and decisions faced by the characters in the novel
Leslie A. Rasmussen’s new novel delves into the intricacies of pregnancy-related decisions as experienced by two distinct women, Rachel and Katie.
The contrasting journeys of the two main characters
Rasmussen paints the starkly different experiences of her protagonists, Rachel and Katie.
One character, Rachel, desperately wants a child but faces difficult choices when faced with pregnancy complications, while the other, Katie, finds herself unexpectedly pregnant and struggling with her Catholic beliefs.
Rachel is characterized by her deep yearning for a child. However, this desire is tested by pregnancy complications that introduce difficult choices into her life. Katie, contrarily, faces an unplanned pregnancy. Coming from a devout Catholic background, the problem she faces is fraught with conflict as her religious beliefs initially steer her away from even considering termination.
The characters' differing backgrounds and personal values
The narrative explores how Rachel's pro-choice upbringing and Katie's Catholic values influence their respective decisions regarding their pregnancies.
The characters' upbringings, beliefs, and life experiences shape how they approach and grapple with their pregnancy-related decisions.
Rasmussen emphasizes the formative impact of upbringing, belief systems, and personal experiences in shaping the characters' approaches to pregnancy. The difference in their backgrounds leads to a divergence in how they grapple with the choices they face, each charting a path influenced by their distinct values and life experiences.
The nuanced exploration of the ...
Here’s what you’ll find in our full summary
The diverse perspectives and decisions faced by the characters in the novel
Additional Materials
Actionables
- You can explore your own beliefs and values by journaling about personal experiences that have shaped your views on complex issues. Start by writing about a significant event in your life and how it impacted your beliefs. Reflect on how this event influences your decisions today, much like the characters' backgrounds shaped their approaches to pregnancy decisions.
- Create a decision-making flowchart for a challenging moral dilemma you face, considering various influences like upbringing and personal values. Begin with a central question and branch out with possible choices, noting the emotional and ethical considerations for each path. This exercise mirrors the characters' processes and helps you visualize the complexities of your own decisions.
- Engage in role-playin ...
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