Unmaking Mary: The Myth of Divine Motherhood - Coming 2025!

I’m delighted to announce that I’m working on a new book! Details below from my publishers’ press announcement:

Hodder & Stoughton acquires Unmaking Mary: The Myth of Divine Motherhood by Chine McDonald, an honest exploration of the reality of motherhood and the pressures placed by society on 21st century mothers

Hodder & Stoughton is delighted to announce the acquisition of Unmaking Mary: The Myth of Divine Motherhood by Chine McDonald. World rights were bought by editorial director Joanna Davey. Hodder & Stoughton will publish Unmaking Mary in hardback in Spring 2025 in the UK and the US.

In Unmaking Mary, Chine McDonald explores how motherhood has been shaped by negative theological and social understandings of what it is to be a woman, in order to change the story about how mothers of all ages are seen and supported by the church.

For two thousand years, the Virgin Mary has been depicted throughout art, literature and culture as symbolising the perfect mother: chaste, beautiful, meek, mild and white. These supposed virtues and symbols have shaped not just Christianity but wider popular culture; and have contributed to harmful views about motherhood and what it is to be a woman. In this part-memoir, part social and theological commentary, Chine McDonald deconstructs the myth of perfect motherhood and shines a light on the darker side of parenting. From birth trauma to post-natal depression, from infertility to the mental load, the motherhood penalty and pressures on women to be it all and have it all, this book aims to liberate motherhood from the chains in which it has been placed, reconstructing a more authentic, grace-filled way forward for the most important job in the world.

Chine McDonald is a writer, author, public theologian and Director of Theos, the religion and society think tank. She was previously Head of Public Engagement at Christian Aid. Chine has two decades of experience in journalism, media and communications across faith, media and international development organisations.

She speaks and writes widely on issues of race, faith and gender, and is the author of God Is Not A White Man: And Other Revelations (Hodder & Stoughton, May 2021). A broadcaster, panel host and media commentator, Chine has written for the Financial Times, The Independent, The Big Issue and The Mirror; she also contributes to various TV and radio programmes, including ‘Thought for the Day’ on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme and BBC1’s Sunday Morning Live. She regularly speaks on and hosts panels, including for the Cheltenham Science Festival and the Cheltenham Literature Festival. She is vice–chair of Greenbelt Festival and a trustee of Christian Aid. Chine studied Theology and Religious Studies at Cambridge University.  

Chine McDonald says: “I’m delighted to be working with the Hodder team on another project that is so close to my heart. This book will require me to delve deep into the dark heart of motherhood, critiquing the shiny, saccharine and chaste ideals that leave no room for imperfections. It will not be easy, but I hope and pray through telling the truth about motherhood and what it is to be a woman – warts and all – we’ll uncover the beauty that exists in unexpected places. I believe it’s only in confronting the uncomfortable realities of how motherhood has been shaped by faulty theologies and socio-political constructs that we can all be freed from these constraints. I’m honoured to have been trusted with so many women’s stories as part of this project, and I hope that it might free us all from the shame, chains and judgment that society – and the Church – place on all of us, including those entrusted with the most important job in the world.”

Editorial Director Joanna Davey adds: “I am so pleased that Chine is staying with Hodder Faith for Unmaking Mary, following the success of God Is Not A White Man. Chine’s thoughtful and thought-provoking writing is the kind that brings about change. I’ve no doubt that her meditations on motherhood will have a positive impact for women in the church, and beyond.”

Unmaking Mary will publish in the UK as a hardback at £16.99 in February 2025 and in the US as a hardback at $19.99 in May 2025. 

For publicity enquiries, please contact: Rhoda Hardie (Rhoda.hardie.pr@gmail.com)