Unmaking Mary: Shattering the Myth of Perfect Motherhood

For two millennia, the Virgin Mary has been idealised as the embodiment of perfect motherhood—pure, serene, self-sacrificing, and white. These enduring cultural symbols have shaped not only Christian ideals but broader societal expectations of what it means to be a “good” mother. In Unmaking Mary, Chine McDonald dismantles this ideal, exposing how these unrealistic and narrow definitions of motherhood have burdened generations of women.

Blending memoir with social and theological commentary, McDonald explores the hidden struggles of motherhood—from birth trauma and infertility to postnatal depression and the mental load. She speaks candidly about the pressures women face to “do it all,” particularly in church settings, and offers a liberating vision for embracing imperfection, honesty, and grace.

With a foreword by Beth Allison Barr, author of The Making of Biblical Womanhood, this groundbreaking book invites readers to rethink motherhood, womanhood, and the myths we’ve inherited.

Type: Hardback

Item weight: ‎ 450g

Dimensions: ‎ 14.61 x 2.92 x 22.61 cm