The Elephant in the Womb

by Kalki Koechlin

Motherhood is the greatest job in the world…right?

In this unique graphic narrative, we finally have that candid, funny and relatable book on pregnancy and parenting that mothers, expectant mothers, and anyone even thinking about motherhood have been waiting for. Actor and writer Kalki Koechlin opens up about so much that we don’t talk about—the social stigma of abortions and unmarried pregnancies, the toll that pregnancy takes on a body, the unacknowledged domestic labour of women, the emotional rollercoaster of giving birth, bouts of postpartum melancholy, the unsolicited parenting advice from every corner, and of course the innumerable moments of joy and delight in bringing a real little person into this very weird world.

With whimsy and compassion, with uproariously funny art and spellbinding honesty, The Elephant in the Womb blends the deeply private with the blazingly political. It’s an eye-opener for anyone who has ever thought that pregnancy was all about the glow and that motherhood was all about fulfilment. From fixing broken parts to enduring untimely farts, Koechlin’s nuanced prose—gorgeously illustrated by Valeriya Polyanychko—tells us the bare-faced truth about the physiological discomfort and manic expectations that make it a bittersweet experience.

With a combination of personal essays and think-pieces, journal entries captured in real time, reflections and anecdotes, this is the motherload!

Genres: Nonfiction, Graphic Novels, Memoir, Parenting, Self Help

256 pages, Paperback

Published March 1, 2022

Reviews

[Reading_ Tamishly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m telling you the blurb and the book cover do no justice to the actual content.

I wasn’t expecting the book to be this good! Much more of a comic/graphic novel along with a journal kind of read, this book turned out to be better, I say, much more better!

The book talks about the author’s/actor’s experience through her pregnancy period, how everyone even at the ‘family’ clinic judged the patients’ characters as if it’s their main duty to perform there.

I find the contents, the writing, the issue on overall health related to a woman really enlightening and I do feel more people must read this book!

The book is so good! One of those rare books which will actually create awareness on woman’s health and hygiene, our rights too I would add.

[Maryann Taylor · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm guessing I was the wrong readership for this book, but having said that, I don't see the point this book is trying to make. To begin with, the cover does not clearly state this is a graphic memoir, so not suitable to be read on the Kindle. The illustrations are meh, some of the text is very difficult to read even in the paperback, and the book feels like a haphazard compilation of Kalki Koechlin's pregnancy journal-some paragraphs slapped together as an afterthought. The book clearly claims that this is not a pregnancy "Bible", and is at best Kalki's personal experience with pregnancy, childbirth, motherhood, and postpartum woes. Is it helpful? No. It is humorous? In places. It is necessary? Absolutely not.

While I'm still here, Penguin Random House can I please have my money back?

[Shaza ╭♥╯ Hashish · Rating 1 out of 5]

ما قدرتش ع النفاق
حشرت شابتر عن حقوق المرأة في الإجهاض (قبل اي حاجة في الكتاب مع أن الكتاب زي چورنال عن رحلتها في الحمل) مع أن الكاتبة متجوزة اسرا. ئيلي و بنتها اسر ،ائيلة فاللي هو تقصدي حقوق انهي مرأة ؟
لانها ناشطة ومهتمة بحقوق الإنسان وهكذا
قلت اجوجل هل ليها اي تعليق عن المرأة الفلسطينية/ السورية/ اللبنانية / اليمنية اللي في النصف التاني من الكوكب
لا
ناثينج
طب ناشطة ازاي بقى و بتاع
انا اسفة ما قدرتش اعطيه ربع ساعة من وقتي
اه و الكتابة مش واضحة اصلا و دة سبب تاني ليه مواصلة القراءة كانت مستحيلة

[Shruti Sharma · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful book to read if you're planning pregnancy/parenthood. I enjoyed reading Kalki's thoughts, emotions and they felt so human- not celebrity-ish at all. At times, I felt, really? Even celebrities feel those things? And then I quickly reminded myself, we're all human at the end. And Motherhood brings us all together. The illustrations are lovely and they make the reading all the more enjoyable.

[Nivi · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was funny, real and raw. I have a new found respect for mothers - it's a full-time unpaid job

Also, I am NEVER having a child :)

[Nanditha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I haven't read many books on parenting or motherhood (except for just one, actually). So this book was refreshingly informative and realistic.

A graphic memoir of sorts, Kalki's "The Elephant in the Womb" takes us through her pregnancy journey and her initial months of dealing with parenthood. Filled with doodles, poems, diary entries, anecdotes, important relevant data now and then, as well as feminist musings, this book really had me hooked.

Kalki tackles a lot of things in this small book - the misogyny and absenteeism of fathers in our society, the unacknowledged work of mothers, and the lack of more focus on women's health. As a person who loves reading real narratives, this book was insightful even if it comes from a celebrity who, like she rightly mentions at the beginning, might not be relatable to many of us.

If you are the kind who likes a bit of a stream of consciousness or musing kind of book and you are curious about pregnancy and or/parenting, this one is for you.

[Rubal Mittal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Disclaimer - I got the book for free on Kindle prime and downloaded it without reading the subtext. Infact I went to read the book without knowing it's a memoir about motherhood and is a graphic book.

I think everyone (gender no bias) needs to take out the 2 odd hours/ or one day to read it. To gain perspective and just be more empathetic.
It's about Kalki's own experience of pregnancy, and aftermath (good, bad, ugly and maybe the "bliss". But it's incorrect to box the book just as a motherhood read
She deals with so many topics in parallel: abortion, unpaid labor, expectations of being the ideal mother, individuality, post partum, sex afterwards, health issues (physical and mental).
There is a section from the pov of her partner too.

It was a fun, insightful and short read.

[Kavya Janani U. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am reviewing this book as soon as I finished it because it's about motherhood (not because it was written by Kalki Koechlin). I love reading and writing about motherhood. It is a never-ending phase of a woman's life. Once a mother, always a mother. I began my pregnancy and childbirth memoir just a week before giving birth in July 2018 and pushed myself to complete it as a series of blog posts on Momspresso in October 2020. ⠀
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I also analyze Indian movies that portray motherhood (#writeuponmotherhood in Instagram) and write a load of motherhood poetry. So, all these things show how much I love this sometimes bittersweet, sometimes blissful, sometimes nightmarish, sometimes grateful phase of my life.⠀
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Review: I thought celebrity mothers had glossy motherhood since they would have ample help and support for the baby, for the household chores, and almost everything, but Kalki presents a down-to-earth, raw, and honest portrayal of motherhood. She throws the truth at your face - motherhood is messy AF. Never once did I feel that I was reading a motherhood memoir from the perspective of an actor. Her words feel like the casual conversations you'd have with the mother next door.⠀
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Through this memoir, Kalki befriends all the mothers in the world. The book is divided into ten chapters with quirky titles. Ensconced between these chapters are some bitter truths that you'd swallow with a smile, of course (if you're a mother, you'd know it). Kalki begins the book dang with the topic of abortion - something that'd make a person who doesn't respect a woman's body cringe.⠀
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She also addresses many other things - natural childbirth w/o any medical interventions, the importance of a birth plan, breastfeeding troubles, postpartum depression, equal parenting, sex after childbirth, personal space - which we don't normally discuss because we're still of the notion that motherhood is all about mothering and raising a child.⠀
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I also loved Kalki's journal write-ups and poems, especially the poem 'I am okay' moved me so much that I want to recite it someday. Valeriya Polyanychko's mind-blowing illustrations add more power to the book. Special mention to Guy Hershberg's (Kalki's partner) laugh-out-loud chapter.

[Sapna Bulchandani · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading The Elephant in the Womb felt like sitting with a close friend who isn’t afraid to tell it like it is. Kalki Koechlin’s reflections on pregnancy hit me on such a deeply personal level that I found myself laughing, tearing up, and nodding along as if she had put my own unspoken thoughts into words.

What struck me most was her willingness to embrace the messiness of it all—the fear, the physical changes, the unsolicited advice, and even the loneliness that can creep in during a time everyone expects you to feel nothing but joy.

The illustrations by Valeriya Polyanychko are just as raw and real as Kalki’s words, adding layers of humor and poignancy that made the book even more special. Together, they’ve created something that feels more like a mirror than a book—a reflection of the highs, lows, and everything in between.

For anyone who’s been through pregnancy or is trying to understand it, this book will sit with you like a comforting, knowing hug. It’s bold, beautiful, and unfiltered, just like the experience it describes.

[Ushnav Shroff · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a charmingly short graphic novel about unspoken truths. A must read for everyone regardless of their gender. Parenthood isn't for everyone and that's a fact.

[Ayesha Mashiat]

Aditi, tujhe kuch saal akela kya choda....tune itna bara jhol kaar diye

[Raj Nandani ( Wrap the Fury) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed reading her experiences.

[Naina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short and sweet read. It's an unfiltered version of a new mum's thoughts sprinkled with a little bit of feministic musings and frustrations. To-be dads need to read it, new mums, or women thinking of becoming mamas could read it too. The illustrations make the read a lot more fun.

[Elsi · Rating 2 out of 5]

Odotin tältä paljon enemmän, mutta muoto ei toiminut. Polyanychkon kuvitus on hieno, mutta tekstimassaa on sarjakuvaksi aivan liikaa. Ihmeellisillä fonteilla kirjoitettuja raapustuksia ei tee mieli lukea sivutolkulla, eikä sisältö ollut niin ihmeellistä, etteikö sitä olisi voinut lukijaystävällisemmin kertoa. Oli tässä muutama tosi hieno kohta ja hauska sanaleikki nimessä, mutta lukiessa lähinnä ärsytti.

[Rhiti · Rating 4 out of 5]

" The Elephant In The Womb- Declarations of A Sudden Mother "
- Kalki Koechlin (Illustrated by Valeriya Polyanychko)
Printed Price- 399/-
Published by- Penguin Books
Genre- Graphic Non-fiction
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"Perhaps the opposite of hate is not love, but understanding. And the opposite of love is not hate, but neglect."

●About the Author:
Ohh come on!!
Every movie freak in India knows the name 'Kalki Koechlin'. She is certainly one of the most versatile and remarkable actors we have right now... and I have become a fan after watching 'Margarita With A Straw'.
Well, I'm not going into the details here as anyone can learn about her just by typing the name itself.

●About the Book:
As I mentioned this is a graphic non-fiction, which includes all the emotional, physical and social turmoils one must go through while someone is pregnant. It's about Kalki Koechlin's own experiences when she was going through her pregnancy.

●Who should read this book:
Well, EVERYONE!!
Though the book itself mentions at the very beginning that "we finally have that candid, funny and relatable book on pregnancy and parenting that mothers, expectant mothers, and anyone even thinking about motherhood have been waiting for"...
But to me, this book is definitely for you too if-
1. you are a feminist and question the patriarchy
2. you like graphic novels
3. You love reading and enjoy a good book
4. you want to learn how to write a best-seller
5. you are an adult.
6. you think, when a celebrity conceives, their journey is just a cake-walk and you like to troll them if they get fat or wear something which is not 'fashionable enough'.
When I found this book on Amazon, I was completely intrigued. Decided to buy this book instantly and I'm not at all regretting it.
( Well I'm not pregnant and neither has any plan for that...yet I thoroughly enjoyed the book)

●Let's dive-in:
Well in the content section you can see the book has ten chapters, with no page numbers...(that's kinda unique). After every chapter, there are some blank pages left for the readers to scribble their thoughts.

The book contains wonderful illustrations and it's very easy to read. Some of the pages contain the author's handwritten notes...( probably, as those fonts seems handwritten).

The book begins with Kalki Koechlin's thoughts on the concept of abortion. And every single person who will read this book from a feminist viewpoint will agree with the author's views.

Then eventually She started describing her own experiences as an expectant mother. She questions almost everything and put her views about them so clearly. All her mood swings, her health issues, the social issues she has to face ( or every pregnant woman have to face), her sexual needs and experiences while and after the pregnancy, how she went on working the whole time she was expecting, the whole medical process, the myths-facts-realties around pregnancy, the books she has or hasn't read, ...everything; EVERY SINGLE DETAILS. But you will never get bored while reading as the writing style is amazing- very funny yet portrays a strong viewpoint.

While reading through her delivery process, one can easily understand the pain...even if you haven't gone through pregnancy in your own life.

She also wrote about how being a mother can change someone's whole routine, she mentioned the postpartum blues, difficulties newly parents feel, how she cherished being a mother and how she handled this newfound responsibility of being a mom. She talked about her daughter- Sappho ( wonderful choice of name), as she was being adjusted to this human world.

# there is a lullaby Kalki Koechlin has included as well, which she wrote for Saphho. And it's BEAUTIFUL!!

She talked about how a pregnant woman should be included in social gatherings ( not like an alien or something but like what and how she is)...

There is a chapter where Kalki Koechlin's partner, GUY has included his experiences as well.

And in the last chapter, the author has mentioned the importance of being a part of a sisterhood, where she included other people's (read mothers) experiences regarding their pregnancy and motherhood.

And if you want to know about this book...just grab your copy dude!!

●About the Illustrations:
The illustrator, Valeriya Polyanychko is a multidisciplinary visual artist. This was the first time I went through her work (and then I did my research)...
She has captured Kalki's writing mood just perfectly. The illustrations in the book are one of the unique attractions this book offers. And I simply love it.
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So if you ask me, if you pick up this book, you are in for a real treat. I was never really a fan of graphic novels or non-fiction books... but I really liked it and you can read it in one seating easily.
Highly recommended !!
Happy Reading...📖😇

[Amrithaa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a hard book to get through, and I didn't quite like it. I am going to try to be kind and empathetic in my review though, because writing a memoir is an exercise in massive vulnerability, and putting out your deepest darkest moments in words for a stranger to read. That deserves kindness, irrespective of whether the reader jibed with the content or not.

So what's good about the book? It's refreshing to read a book in a comic-y font, it sort of takes itself less seriously. There's a lot of "reality bites" moments in here, that most people perhaps don't hear, or they hear/experience, but don't always acknowledge or verbalise. So kudos on putting those realities in black and white. This includes Kalki's honesty in dealing with abortions, and then eventually wanting a child.

What didn't work for me: if I had to summarise the experience of reading the book, it was like going through a dark and dreary day, telling yourself, that this too shall pass, just stick it out. That's not how a book should feel - at least to me. Every other slice of life/health memoir I've read so far, they've had their beautifully uplifting moments, or some wonderful way that horrid experience changed the author's life. This book had that going for it - motherhood is touted as the most magical and enamoring of experiences in the world and what not. And yet all I got from Kalki was how taxing it was. There were brief moments of acknowledgement of how "surrender" was the only possible approach, or of embracing this beautiful new life, but those moments were too few and too far in between. I still kept feeling like I was reading through someone's post partum journal, and there could have been more balance brought in: moments of joy and moments of struggle. The book should also not be published on Kindle - it's just too hard to read in that format, especially without being able to adjust font size.

[Suba Mohan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A graphic memoir primarily depicts the motherhood of Kalki. She talks about her pregnancy, delivery, and postpartum blues, which all happened during COVID. Each chapter starts with her thoughts along with the illustrations, is followed by a poem in her handwriting, and finally concludes with a few empty ruled pages where you can write your thoughts on the same. The pregnancy journey of a few of Kalki's friends was also given at the end of this book.

This book is raw and unfiltered. Motherhood is glorified, not the hard times. The difficulties faced during pregnancy and delivery are all concerning, but once the baby comes, attention goes completely to the baby, not the mother. The mother needs rest physically and mentally, which is being ignored overall. I do agree with most of her thoughts.

Read this book if you are a new mother having a hard time taking care of your baby alone. This book will ensure you that you are not alone; there are plenty of women out there facing the same issue. Making yourself a priority by having some 'me' time will help you and also make peace with your insecurities and mood swings. Lastly, a few of the of the illustrations were really cute.

[Jayanti · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it! The book is in a form of doodle and journal. The experiences that Kalki had as a pregnant mother and then as a breastfeeding mum was very relatable for me. She talks about abortion, anxiety over anomaly scans, the whole brouhaha over 'motherhood' and much much more. True, it's not a pregnancy bible. It's a very honest account of what motherhood feels like. With all its glory and gory details. It's not just a celebration. I have been reading books on this topic and not many dare to get into the not-so-pretty aspect of pregnancy probably because, at least in India, being a mother is equated to something divine. Totally recommend it to mammas and daddas to get a real taste of the entire experience.

[Laxmi]

The author details her journey through different phases of pregnancy and childbirth in this book. She points out almost all the false beliefs and misinformation we are fed by the society. She also mentions how simply asking the physicians basic questions we could avoid or even do away with certain unnecessary medical procedures. Being aware is key.
She further speaks states how it is important to take as much care of the mother's needs after birth as that of the child's needs. While it is quite an intense topic that is being discussed, the approach and narrative is quite casual and is accompanied by some light-hearted illustrations.
This book is for anyone who wishes to understand the mother's perspective in child birth and could prove to be a guide for the mother-to-be herself.

[Sucheta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Five stars for stark, bare, dare I say- naked- truth telling. I was prepared to not like this book even though I like Kalki Koechlin as an artist, because us reader types must not care much about celebrity memoirs. The book took me by surprise. It is delightful, carries itself lightly while navigating some quite dark places, has funny illustrations, and doesn’t shy away from honestly discussing any aspect of pregnancy and early post partum. While my specific preferences around childbirth and rearing differ somewhat from Kalki’s, the overall experience was, as the youths say, a HARD RELATE. The world needs more unapologetically vocal feminist mothers.

[Nishaat · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book is a narrative by the author Kalki about her experiences with motherhood. It is funny and relatable to every women. She doesn't just talk about the good parts. She talks about the bad and the ugly. She talks about how patriarchy plays a huge role in how being a mother is viewed, the existing gaps in the society and the sheer helplessness at times. The book is a mix of both light and serious read. The illustrations are very engaging and keeps the reader interested to know more.

[Deepa Ranganathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I did not expect this book to be such a quick and engrossing read. True to its goal, it does everything to deglamourise pregnancy, child birth and parenting: a real need in the world where these things are stereotypically eulogized. It breaks every myth and presents a realistic picture, all the while in the format of a simple-to-understand graphic novel. Highly recommend for all would-be, existing and considering-to-be parents.

[Megha Tyagi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have just one sentence on this book- go purchase it- and read it! I loved everything about this book. I am definitely going to re-read this for years to come. Hats off to Kalki for putting together another masterpiece.
Reader Alert: It's a short graphic novel, and once you start reading it, you won't put it down even for a second.

[Fae · Rating 1 out of 5]

I guess this book wasn't really meant for people like me, abd was more for people who are already mothers but if anything this bookp used me more firmly into the idea of "I don't want a kid" which is not a position you want to end up in when you current partner really wants a kid and you're trying to see the positive sides of having a kid

[ROSHNI SATHYADAS · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kalki's journal on her motherhood is relatable, funny and forthright. At some point or the other,we all have been there.
It was like a reminiscence to me. It could have distinct affect on each of us, according to the ongoing phase of one's life.
Loved the illustration 🖤

[radhika ♡]

i liked this.
except the fact that it has such a low readership that the one epub available isn't clear enough which made it quite hard to read.
but the fact that i still finished it shows how much i liked it enough to read it against all odds, so

[Neeraj Bansal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Koechlin Sensei. You are the very special Ninja 🥷🏻 I am happy to come across. Thank you so much for sharing your story.

As for future readers, my take is only if you truly acknowledge yourself as feminist or practising to be Kalki will share the power with her book.

[Teesta Raha Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Matched my journey so far so loved it!

[Akriti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great attempt at being real about pregnancy.

[Ekta Talwar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book which talks about pregnancy not like its stereotyped but the real thing. The rough days, the sleepless nights and doubts.Must read.