Very personal sci fi which I definitely liked. Can't decide between 3-4 stars. I loved the main character and her struggles. The media frenzy seemed very realistic, as well as all the death/rape threats. It got me thinking but didn't change my life. I like that it's set at the beginning of the process but that means we only get to see the initial backlash rather than real speculative stuff. It left me wanting a sequel set maybe 30 years after this, and then another 200 years after. I would definitely read more of Chadwick's writing. ( )

Angela Chadwick’s XX was the first book I read from the ones I received for Christmas. If they continue being just as good, I’m in for a treat!

I read quite a few books in 2018 that could be classified as ‘speculative feminist fiction’ and I suppose that XX could come under that heading. It’s about a new technology called ovum-to-ovum that allows two women to have a female baby utilising both women’s DNA. But the story is so warm and engaging I’d be hesitant to label it as sci-fi or speculative for fear of turning people away. Apart from the technology, XX is primarily a story about relationships, motherhood and working out where you fit in the world. It’s a great look at what makes a mother and the different approaches.

The story is told in the first person by Jules. Jules is a journalist working on the local paper. She had big plans to work on the national papers, but it fizzled away after one too many nights tabloid freelancing (aka stalking celebrities). Although her boss is a sadistic has been, she’s relatively content. After seeing partner Rosie with a child on holiday, Jules decides that she should give Rosie want she wants – a child. Jules isn’t too sure she wants to be a mother for several reasons (not feeling maternal, not having a mother of her own) but knows this is something Rosie craves. When the ovum-to-ovum technology is ready for human clinical trials locally, Rosie and Jules jump in with both feet. But not everyone is keen on the technology with protests occurring worldwide and it becoming a political hot topic to ‘breed out men’. When Rosie falls pregnant and their details are leaked to the media, life becomes chaotic for the couple. Paparazzi are on the doorstep day and night and Jules’ boss deliberately makes her cover stories on the topic. Everyone has an opinion and the violence steps up…

Jules comes across to others as a gruff character, and by being able to read her inner thoughts, the reader can empathise with her more. Jules has a haunting feeling that she’s never been quite good enough, from her poor background to not meeting her personal targets workwise. She also feels that she’s not good enough for Rosie, highlighted by Rosie’s relationship with best friend Anthony. Jules chronically bottles up her feelings of inadequacy, which only become greater as Rosie falls pregnant. She can’t be a mother, doesn’t know how and possibly doesn’t even want to be. I thought that Jules’ blunt honesty was one of the highlights of the novel and really drew me to like her. Rosie is the opposite of Jules – she knows Jules is hurting but Jules’ stubbornness won’t let her unbend in front of Rosie. But even Rosie has her limits, which fractures their relationship.

The attention from the media was also a strong point of the novel. Despite Jules feeling that she can handle it (after all, she’s a seasoned journalist), the levels that some go to are just shocking. The media barrage, political input and outrage by the general public were written well and the twists were realistic.

I’m looking forward to reading more from Dialogue Books, which aims to ‘shine a spotlight on stories for, about and by readers from the LGBTQI+, disability, working class and BAME communities. The imprint has a clear focus of distinctive, cross-genre titles that spark a conversation across fiction, non-fiction, commercial and literary publishing’. If XX is anything to go by, this imprint is going to be stellar.

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