Dear Thing, a review by Joanna

Claire and Ben, a prosperous middle class couple living near London, are very much in love, and have tried everything to have a child. When the latest round of IVF fails, Claire wants to give up as neither her body nor mind can take any more. Then Ben’s best friend Romily makes an incredible offer – she will have Ben’s baby for them, since she’s a single parent who doesn’t want more children. Claire is initially sceptical, but can’t say no, and as the pregnancy progresses starts to feel like maybe their dream will come true. The only problem is that Romily has been secretly in love with Ben for years, and is now starting to have feelings for the baby too…

This was a beautifully written analysis of the complicated emotions that infertility, unrequited love, pregnancy and motherhood engender. Initially I didn’t particularly like any of the characters (apart from charming seven-year old Posie of course!) Claire is a prickly perfectionist, trapped by her illusion of what constitutes the perfect family. Ben means well but is an emotional numbskull, and biologist Romily is a chaotic free spirit who can only be honest with the baby growing inside her. As the story progresses, however, and they each start to consider the needs of the other, my sympathy grew, and I wasn’t sure how this could  end happily – although it does.
4.5 stars rounded up because it made me appreciate my uncomplicated furry children all the more.