The Tenth Month

by Laura Z. Hobson

A novel of midlife motherhood and the basis for the TV movie starring Carol Burnett—from the #1 New York Times–bestselling author of Gentleman’s Agreement.   Dori Gray—married, then divorced, age forty, professional journalist—had given up hope of a child. A botched abortion left her functionally infertile, and after a string of bad relationships, Dori’s prospects have seemingly dwindled to naught. Then comes the astonishing revelation that she is pregnant—by her married ex-lover. Dori’s options are limited. Fearful that her doctor will decline to oversee an illegitimate birth, or that she’ll be forced into a hermitlike existence until the child is born, Dori confides in her married best friend, Celia Duke. Surprised by Celia’s confidence and support, Dori decides to confront her predicament head-on.

Genres: Fiction

302 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1971

About the author

Laura Z. Hobson (1900–1986) was an American novelist and short story writer. The daughter of Jewish immigrants, she is best known for her novels Gentleman’s Agreement (1947), which deals with anti-Semitism in postwar America, and Consenting Adult (1975), about a mother coming to terms with her son’s homosexuality, which was based upon her experiences with her own son. Hobson died in New York City in 1986.

Reviews

[Mia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the book primarily for its insights into the situation women found themselves in if they were relatively well off, not married, and pregnant in the 1960's. The drastic lengths Dori goes to in order to protect her child from being derided as a "bastard" seem like something from another century, but it's 1968 and her career as a freelance journalist gives her the wherewithal needed for the deception in a very modern way.

Reading the novel I couldn't help but wonder if there was anything autobiographical about it, and according to my online research she did indeed pull off the kind of adoption featured in The Tenth Month, only a few decades earlier. I appreciate the author providing us with a window into a part of the past we don't get to read much about--usually it's teens or young women caught in an unplanned pregnancy, without resources or freedom to construct their own response. Fascinating to see how they used those resources when they had them.

[Maya · Rating 3 out of 5]

I whipped through most of this one, but it did bog down some where around the 3/4 mark. Some of it was a little dated to really appreciate, but on the other hand, it was fascinating to read about the politics and intrigues that a single, unwed pregnant woman (with means) had to go through in order to keep her baby and not become a social outcast. I enjoyed it as a history lesson more than a fine specimen of literature, but it was enjoyable enough in the end.

[Loretta Armentrout · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazingly progessive for its time and a reminder of how different things were. Brilliant story.

[Dawn M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book, though it is a bit dated, in it’s wording.

The book was somewhat long-winded, but became more and more interesting as I read on. The book uses a lot of 60s venacular,, and you can definitely tell this was written back in the day, A worthwhile read, nonetheless. It is amazing how culture and the moral climate has changed. Well worth a read for the experienced reader, who possesses both tenacity and patience.

[Donna Hutt Stapfer Bell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another time, a record

The relationships and negotiations necessary by a woman unmarried by divorce, complicated by a wanted, but unplanned pregnancy. There's less about the anticipation of parenting than the onslaught of angst over this relationship or that one. The effect is a sense of emotional distance.

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this a long time ago. Amazing how much has changed!

[Fiona Hurley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this some years ago. An interesting time capsule into the 1960s. Dori is very privileged and she wants to become a mother, but she still has to hide her out-of-wedlock pregnancy and "adopt" her baby with the help of some friends.

[Garden Gal · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book before its time.
A strong woman learns her strengths, chooses her life.

[Lu · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read years ago