I went in without reading the description and now that I'm done and I've read the description, I think that it is best skipped to allow some of what is said to unfold in the story instead.

I didn't enjoy the world building too much so I zoned out a bit about how "they" got where they were. The characters spent time talking about our current versions of birth control as if they're barbaric. The birth control in 2060 is called "Free" and most people have it put in place, shortly after their first period. Humans are not expected to procreate unless they are super rich, royal, or a non compliant "freak".

I was very engaged when the MC was front and center. Many people in this futuristic world are fine without having children. The government propaganda works well on them but others can't stop thinking about it. Our MC is one of the ones that mourns the loss of not having a child. She has to hide those feelings because she would be considered a freak for considering it. She does meet someone that she can talk to about it. She says it feels dirty talking about it with someone but is grateful that she can. That's all I can say for fear of spoiling.
--------------

Today the news said married citizens in China are now "allowed" to have 3 children. I appreciate having SF stories to help me explore some of my feelings about these topics. Government controlling procreating isn't straight SF and that is horrifying to me. I'm pretty sure I'll be having nightmares tonight.

{novelette} ( )

I really enjoyed this story. The two main characters contend with climate change policies and politics and herd-mentality, by way of making decisions about if they should or could 'drop-out' and have children. Every aspect of culture in this future society discourages unsanctioned childbirth but the drive to have and raise your own, it seems, will always loom large. Emma Donoghue plays off of familiar tropes but in a way that foregrounds the main characters struggles and difficulties with their desire to have what they want even though it goes against all 'logic' - that is to say questioning the policies and politics and herd mentality to come.

Very good. Familiar ground covered freshly with writing about human people you can care about. ( )

The Breeder's Tale
Review of the Amazon Original Kindle eBook (September 2020)

Maybe I'm reading these Amazon Original Out of Line eBooks too close together, as they are starting to all seem derivative of Margaret Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale, with their dystopian projections. This one has a repressive society where childbirth is restricted.

Halfway to Free is one of seven Amazon Kindle eBooks released September 1, 2020 as part of their Amazon Original Out of Line collection of short stories about women taking control. ( )

Pandemic read courtesy of audible and amazon.