Motherland

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Pub Date 12 May 2024 | Archive Date 15 Jun 2024

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Description

Is it ever possible to recover from the loss of a child?

Amidst a tumultuous life of divorce, addiction, and destructive relationships, Barb finds herself on the brink of collapse. Little does she know that her world is about to shatter even further with the sudden death of her 13-year-old daughter, Molly.

From the agonizing moment when Molly was rushed to the emergency room with excruciating headaches to the heart-wrenching decision to disconnect her from life support, Barb confronts the reckoning of a lifetime. She grapples with the haunting question of responsibility: Could she have altered the course of events during those sixteen crucial hours?

In the days, months, and years that follow, Barb navigates the treacherous territory she dubs Motherland—a realm characterized by heartbreak and beauty, hope and devastation, self-doubt and grief, blame and loss. With determination, she takes countless small steps toward healing and rediscovering hope.

At the age of 57, Barb makes a brave and radical decision: she has another baby. This transformative experience reshapes her understanding of Motherland, redefining the meaning of motherhood late in life and illuminating the significance of this new life against the backdrop of Molly's untimely death.

Soul-searching, heart-wrenching, and unflinchingly honest, Motherland is both an achingly intimate memoir of a remarkable woman’s experience of child loss and motherhood and a powerful call to reevaluate society’s treatment and support of women, regardless of age.

Is it ever possible to recover from the loss of a child?

Amidst a tumultuous life of divorce, addiction, and destructive relationships, Barb finds herself on the brink of collapse. Little does she...


A Note From the Publisher

Barb Higgins is mother to Gracie, Molly, Jack, and Baby Gordy. In 2016, she lost Molly to a brain tumor. In 2021, aged 57, she gave birth to her little boy, Jack. To date, she is the oldest woman to have given birth in New Hampshire. An educator at heart, she also loves athletics, music, theater and the arts. Barb graduated from Boston University in 1986 with a Masters in Education. She also has a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies (C.A.G.S.) from Plymouth State University in Education Leadership through Arts Integration. She has taught elementary, special, and physical education as well as health. She has coached cross- country and track and field for over 30 years. A Division One All American in Track and Field at BU in 1983, Barb was a competitive runner for many years competing for Nike before returning to her hometown in 1989. Barb coaches and participates in Crossfit and has a Podcast called A Thousand Tiny Steps. Creating The MollyB Foundation helps to keep the best parts of Molly alive and helps others to achieve their goals. Every day, Barb shares her thoughts of what it means to live in Motherland in the hope that it will help mothers everywhere feel comforted, seen and understood. She lives in New Hampshire with her Kenny and her two living children, Gracie and Jack.

Barb Higgins is mother to Gracie, Molly, Jack, and Baby Gordy. In 2016, she lost Molly to a brain tumor. In 2021, aged 57, she gave birth to her little boy, Jack. To date, she is the oldest woman to...


Advance Praise

"Powerful, honest and gut-wrenching." - Paul Brogan, author

"Simultaneously heartbreaking and heartwarming." - Dave Cummings, former editor and columnist, The Concord Monitor

"Motherland is an insightful, searingly honest, and incisive exploration of child loss." - Margaret Porter, author

"Powerful, honest and gut-wrenching." - Paul Brogan, author

"Simultaneously heartbreaking and heartwarming." - Dave Cummings, former editor and columnist, The Concord Monitor

"Motherland is an...


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Available Editions

EDITION Paperback
ISBN 9798891320611
PRICE US$17.99 (USD)
PAGES 272

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Featured Reviews

This was heartbreaking and just shows what the aftermath looks like after losing a child to a brain tumor that was undiagnosed.

Being a mother, I just cannot imagine and this gives the true look at what it would be like and made you feel like you were right there with the mother.

Unfortunately this also gives the realistic atmosphere of what the heathcare system does when it fails people and not in a good way. The author did very well with the story and it was just well written and anyone that doesn't read the synopsis may not be prepared.

Will recommend the book with triggers so that who i recommend will know.

Thanks NetGalley for letting me read and review.

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This book packs a powerful punch. Heartbreaking.
Thanks to author, publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book. While I got the book for free it had no bearing on the rating I gave it.

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This is a heartbreaking and beautiful book about motherhood, family, and loss. I admired the graceful writing and use of narrative voice, and I won't forget the touchstones of this incredible story.

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This memoir was wonderful and gut wrenching. Barb looses her daughter, Molly at the age of 13. I cannot imagine ever having to go through what Barb went through, and I hope I never do. This story describes barbs grief, and how she was able to build a new life for herself after the impossible happened to her.

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