I Don't Know How She Does It

Allison Pearson

Dec 2010 · Random House

About this ebook

'A bible for the working mother' OPRAH WINFREY
'It may change your life' OBSERVER
'I can't think of a woman who wouldn't want this book' INDIA KNIGHT

The twentieth anniversary edition of Allison Pearson's first novel that became a global sensation, now with a new introduction from the author.

Meet Kate Reddy, hedge-fund manager, wife and mother of two. Always time-poor, Kate must monitor nine currencies in five time zones but also keep in step with the Teletubbies. Factor in a manipulative nanny, piggish colleagues, a long-suffering husband, her quietly aghast in-laws, two needy children and an email lover, and you have a woman juggling so many things that some day something's going to hit the ground. And that something might just be Kate.

In an uproariously funny and achingly sad novel, Allison Pearson brilliantly dramatises the dilemma of working motherhood at the start of the twenty-first century.

'The definitive social comedy of working motherhood' WASHINGTON POST

Ratings and reviews

Really enjoyed this book, am single mum of 2, work part time but still can relate to so much in it. The best thing is it made me laugh, feel less guilty and has made me realise I MUST spend more time having fun with kids, cleaning & other regular jobs can wait & will always be there where as my kids won't always be kids! A must read for any woman juggling work & motherhood, thanks Alison.

Amazing book, I couldn't put it down! So relatable, very funny and charming.

About the author

Allison Pearson was born in South Wales. An award-winning journalist, she was named Newcomer of the Year at the British Book Awards for I Don't Know How She Does It. Allison has written for many magazines and newspapers including the Independent on Sunday, Observer, the Sunday Times and the London Evening Standard. She is a contributing editor to Harper's Bazaar and, for four years, she was the popular Wednesday columnist of the Daily Mail. Allison is now a staff writer at the Daily Telegraph. She lives with her family in Cambridge.