After growing up in Hong Kong, Isabelle Oderberg went to university in Melbourne. She has worked as a journalist for two decades in newswires across Europe, Asia and Australia, where she was the country's first social media editor for Melbourne's Herald Sun. Her work has appeared in The Age/SMH, Guardian, ABC, Meanjin and elsewhere. She also worked as a media and communications strategist across the not-for-profit sector. Hard to Bear is her first book.
‘Told with love, sass and journalistic rigour, this courageous and compelling book will be a lifeline for so many families whose grief and loss has for too long been unspeakable.’ * Jess Hill, author of See What You made Me Do * ‘Oderberg’s voice is warm and compassionate; she is interested in the science, but also in love. This book will help practitioners, and also those who are grieving.’ * The Australian * ‘Funny, wise and forensically researched. Hard to Bear is brilliant.’ * Samantha Maiden * ‘This incredible book should be another nail in the coffin to medical misogyny worldwide.’ * Gabrielle Jackson, associate editor, Guardian Australia and author of Pain and Prejudice: A Call to Arms for Women and Their Bodies * ‘In Hard to Bear Isabelle Oderberg manages to weave expert research into a personal narrative of grief, hope, and love … It is also about joy and grace. The joy of family, and friends, and all the tiny moments that call us away from grief.’ * Nyadol Nyuon, lawyer and human rights activist * ‘This book runs loudly and proudly towards a topic we too easily ignore.’ * Gina Rushton, author of The Most Important Job in the World * ‘Fierce, frank and deeply compassionate, Hard to Bear is a long overdue reckoning with early pregnancy loss. This book will be a salve to thousands and propel a much-needed cultural conversation.’ * Yves Rees, author of All About Yves *