Graceful Burdens - A Short Story by Roxane Gay - 2020
This story is include in the Kindle Unlimited Program or can be purchased for $1.95.
This is the third short story by Roxane Gay I have had the pleasure of reading.
In this story women are tested at age 16 to see if they are genetically suited to bear children. Only those who past the test are allowed to have children. In this world women still have an urge to have children. That is why public libraries have babies, up to three years old, that women can check out for two weeks. It is never made clear where the babies come from. After age three the babies are either sent to the Center for Disease Control or, for a purpose you are better off not knowing, turned over to the government.
In a way women declared unfit to give birth have more freedom that the elected. They are free to have sex with men declared unfit fathers. No one really cares what they do.
We follow Hadley during her two weeks with a baby. We learn of her frustrations. Her temporary borrowed life launches her on a journey of self-discovery.
Graceful Burdens is a lot of fun and made me think.
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