I Don't Know How She Does It

This novel is a humorous yet serious take on the life of a working mother in a high-powered finance job. Pearson creates a detailed world rife with day-to-day catastrophes involving children, job, husband, and guilt for leaving for work each day. She also deftly dramatizes an insidious double standard: working fathers have no problem and can display their children's photos on their credenzas or desks; working moms can't even mention their children too much or else risk not being taken seriously. A poignant novel published two decades ago yet still relevant. Just think of some of the recent bizarre comments… show more.

If there was ever a book that inspired me to write, it’s this!

Pearson captures the push-pull of motherhood and trying to have a career and the fragile relationship with Kate Reddy and her husband so well.

This book ‘talked’ to me as a mother and journalist and was one of the most ‘real’ books I’d ever read about family dynamics and having young children.

Kate Reddy is a fund manager and a mother of two who is trying to survive in a man’s world. Only she’s a woman! Loved it.

I definitely preferred the book to the movie. Lots more character and lots more humour. This book kept me company during the dark hours of midnight breastfeeding and became my literary best friend during that time.