Claiming Noah

May 1, 2016
The questions and ethics surrounding embryo adoption are at the core of Ortlepp's debut novel. After struggling to conceive naturally, Catriona and James turn to in vitro fertilization to increase their chances of having a baby. While James is eager to become a father, Catriona is skeptical that she would make a good mother. Still, despite her reservations, she goes along with her husband's wishes. After a few failed attempts, Catriona is finally pregnant, but the path to motherhood is rife with obstacles. She is uncomfortable for most of the pregnancy, her birth plan gets pushed aside for medical interventions, and she falls into a deep depression after the birth of Sebastian, requiring a brief stay in a mental hospital. Even before the pregnancy was confirmed, Catriona knew this would be her last try, and she and James decide to donate a spare embryo to another infertile couple. Meanwhile, Diana and Liam are also desperate for a child. Despite pressure from priests and parents, they have decided to undergo IVF using an adopted embryo. Pregnancy and motherhood are an absolute delight for Diana, and she and her husband are in love with their son, Noah. But in a moment of distraction, Diana and Liam's lives are changed when they discover that Noah has been kidnapped. Through nuanced characters and difficult questions, Ortlepp delves into the issues surrounding embryo adoption and postpartum psychosis without leaning into cliched or preachy territory. Though occasional aspects of the plot are tied up a little too neatly, for the most part the novel's momentum and pacing are strong. Catriona and Diana demonstrate that the title of "mother" is encompassing and expansive, and that beyond anything, the love one feels for her child is a force to be reckoned with. While the novel handles heavy topics, it does so with a light and compassionate hand.

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Starred review from June 1, 2016

Catriona and James Sinclair have turned to in-vitro fertilization (IVF) treatments in order to have a child they want desperately. After several failed attempts, the IVF takes, and the Sinclairs donate the remaining embryo to another infertile couple, Diana and Liam Simmons. While Diana is thrilled to be a mother, Catriona falls into postpartum despair. Her actions set off an unforeseen chain of events that tear both families' lives apart. Riveting, fast-paced, and fluidly written, this is an intensely emotional read. Ortlepp's heart-wrenching debut would be great for book clubs owing to the many ethical questions raised in the novel. Fans of Brooke Shields's Down Came the Rain and Iris Johansen's "Eve Duncan" series will appreciate this compelling tale. VERDICT A captivating novel for those who read for character as well as enthusiasts of women's fiction.

Copyright 2016 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

June 1, 2016
Ortlepp makes her fiction debut with a story of heartbreak, love, and loss. Catriona and James have had two unsuccessful attempts at in-vitro fertilization when their third attempt takes. Early on in the pregnancy, they decide to donate a second embryo to another family. Diana and Liam have been on the embryo waiting list for a long time. They are thrilled when they get the news that an embryo is available. Their son, Noah, is born only one month after Catriona and James' son, Sebastian. The novel is told from the points of view of both women, giving the reader a unique insight into each mother's psyche. Catriona finds it difficult to bond with Sebastian. What starts out as a case of postpartum depression soon spirals into a full-blown psychosis, landing her in a psychiatric hospital for two weeks. Meanwhile, the unimaginable happens when Noah goes missing. Ortlepp raises questions about infertility, parenthood, and the legal system. Though billed as a thriller, the novel will also appeal to readers of issue-driven women's fiction.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2016, American Library Association.)