I couldn't stop reading. I didn't always like the author's tone, or agree with her opinions, but I HAD to know what she was going to say next. At a certain point, there is a gut punch of a scene that was really hard to read and made me cry with frustration and empathy...
I think the finest examples of writing are in those books which evoke the raw, visceral feelings so many of us can't put into words, and for that, I thank Ms. Levy for writing and applaud her skill.

The writing was very beautiful and tragic but the story to me wasn't very interesting. Thank you for giving me a chance to read it before it was released.

Ariel Levy's mother advises her daughter many times throughout her life that she should make her own living and not depend upon a man. As a lonely child writing kept her company and she eventually makes her living as a writer for The New Yorker. Raised to think she could do what she wanted, free to be you and me, the old rules did not seem to apply. You could be gay and married, have an engrossing career, and delay motherhood. But, she discovers, the body does not play by these rules.
Levy becomes pregnant at 37 and plans to raise the baby with Lucy, her spouse, while keeping the support of the baby's father who donated the sperm for artificial insemination. At almost 5 months pregnant, she accepts an assignment in Mongolia after getting her doctor's OK. What happens there to her and the baby is both heart- and gut-wrenching.
Ariel discovers that although in many ways the rules do not apply, at the same time they do. As she points out, Mother Nature is free to do whatever she chooses.

Would not recommend this title. Nothing good to say about this title.

Levy's memoir is an excellent read. Her use of language is fantastic and I wish I could quote from the ARC in public so I can share some of the fantastic lines. Her descriptions of gender is fascinating, but I hope that some non-gender conforming readers will provide input on the material and whether it is offensive or not.

The only possible flaw is that the overall work felt a bit unbalanced. The first section of chapters were longer and felt like individual essays, but the later ones were much shorter and felt like brief concepts with less development. However, that could be accounted for by the theme of the book, and the way that the first part details Levy's rise towards her goal of having her own family, and then the subsequent descent of losing it all is mirrored by the way that the chapter lengths change.

Levy writes in a spare style that is poetry in prose, and so much is packed into this memoir. I had read "Thanksgiving in Mongolia" and that foreshadowing did influence my sense of her memoir before the incident, as I knew the outcome of her debate about her life decision. Levy has traveled the globe and spoken to major figures and their stories are deftly woven into her memoir of coming of age and struggling with relationships, work, family, expectations, life. I debated a "4+", but this is a book that resonated and could be read and re-read and discussed. It's a memoir that raises essential questions, and provokes thought. Beautifully written and powerful.

Really enjoyed this book. Kind of felt author was saying she had more heartache in life than most people. Not that I can walk in anyone else's shoes, but it came across that way. No one in this life gets of scott free.
Sympathized with her losing her baby. Devastating I know.
Well worth your time to read!

Ariel Levy, a New Yorker writer, expands upon her essay, Thanksgiving in Mongolia, in this raw, heartfelt memoir. I don’t want to give up the storyline of this book, as the unfolding is the very best part. But, as she indicates in the early pages, it is a look at grief and recovery. Her prose feels journalistic in that it is clear and detailed; her story is not to be missed. If you liked The Argonauts, you will want to pick this one up.

I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher via netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thanks!

I usually try not to read memoirs by people I don't know or haven't heard about, but I loved the title of this book and I decided to request it on Netgalley. This book moved me, it made me upset, sad, nostalgic, it really got under my skin.

Levy writes from her soul and her entire heart oozes from those pages. I could not get over how real, truthful and raw her stories were. It is clear she did not hold anything back, I cannot imagine writing about such difficult topics in such depth and honesty. The books reminded me a little of "When Breath Becomes Air", both were so moving and real.

This is definitely a must read.

I'd been knocked out by "Thanksgiving in Mongolia", Ariel Levy's piece in the New Yorker from 2014 about the child she lost while pregnant. I attributed part of my reaction to personal reasons; I attributed the rest to Levy's bravery and skill. When I discovered she had a full memoir that included the events of "Thanksgiving in Mongolia" coming, I requested an ARC from Random House and was fortunate enough to receive one.

"The Rules Do Not Apply" is chiefly about the buildup to Levy's life falling apart... a run of good fortune that ended thanks to a hidden landmine, unattributable to mistake. No, this is a memoir about an expectant mother and Mother Nature. There is a sentence towards the end about surrender and safety. I won't forget it.

In a way, you could argue that the entire point of writing is to observe, interpret, and articulate. Some writers are better at one or two of the three. Those who can hit all three marks have the chance to be great. Levy and "The Rules Do Not Apply" are great.

A very good author writes of her life thus far, but ends the book as she is about to open a new chapter in her life. Awaiting the next book!