Thread author event with Hannah Marsh
Join us in Clemo Books on Wednesday 25 June
Fresh from her book launch at Blackwells in Oxford, author Hannah Marsh will be in Clemo Books on Wednesday 25 June to talk about her new book Thread.
Pipped as a much-needed revisionist look at cesarian sections the book seeks to reframe the c-section on its journey through myth, magic and medicine. Mixing folklore and fact alongside Greek mythology and expert opinion, Hannah is delving deep into the shame surrounding the often life-saving operation and reflecting on her own experience.
Here's the blurb:
Back in 2017, journalist Hannah Marsh was about to give birth to her son after months of preparation, reading and hypnobirthing classes.
Following thirty hours of induced labour, Hannah was quickly acquainted with a caesarean section: a process she had not physically or emotionally prepared for.
In an attempt to heal, Hannah began interrogating the following questions: why do the words 'caesarean section' bring up feelings of doubt, shame and judgement for some, but a sense of safety, relief, validation and reassurance for others?
Why are those two powerful words rarely spoken of in the ecstatic tones with which we celebrate so-called 'natural', or vaginal birth?
Why is the procedure rarely called 'beautiful', or associated with an innate sense of feminine power?
Working her way through history, culture, and folklore, it wasn't long before Hannah stumbled upon the pioneering voices and fascinating tales history seems to have forgotten.
Take Koronis, mother of Aesclepius, the Greek God of surgery, or Dr James Barry, born Margaret Anne Bulkley, who performed an early and rare successful c-section, in which both mother and child survived, in South Africa in 1826.
Weaving in the arc of her own experience, a journalist's insatiable curiosity, and the stories of both contemporary and historical women who endured and drove developments, Thread is an unflinching but compassionate examination of a procedure which is much more than surgery and medicine.
You can listen here to a recent podcast Hannah featured on discussing the book!
This event is for everyone – not just people who have given birth or expecting. It’s a moment to change the way we talk about the expectations of birthing people and a discussion around women’s health care.
In Clemo we’ll have an author interview with Hannah and bookseller Jaimie, as well as give the audience a chance to ask Hannah questions and a short reading from the author which is an astounding read for so many reasons!
Get your tickets here and there might be a few left on the door too. Thread author event with Hannah Marsh, Wednesday 25 June, 7pm. Clemo Books, 33b Bank Street, Newquay, Cornwall.