Milk

Alice Kinsella found herself in her mid-twenties expecting her first child, newly engaged, and preparing to settle in a new town on Ireland's west coast. Into this inviting space, this large, empty home, she would welcome a newborn. Soon, Alice experienced dramatic shifts in her life that she had never anticipated.As her body navigated the challenges of recovery, she faced darker thoughts that haunted her days and nights as a new mother. For the first time, she pondered over her mother’s, grandmother's, and the countless women’s experiences before her. This led her to question the treatment of mothers in her country. What does it mean to remain bound to someone forever? To love unconditionally?Against the backdrop of a seemingly evolving Ireland, "Milk" offers Alice's personal exploration of motherhood. The narrative is intimate, warm, vividly detailed, and gentle. It simultaneously reflects on the profound changes in body and mind while confronting the complex politics of a nation still grappling with its stance on women. Recognized in The Irish Times as one of the 'Best Books to Look Forward to in 2023', this work is a delicate yet powerful examination of transformation and identity.