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A brave, brilliant and unprecedented examination of menopause from the author of the cult classic, Suicide Blonde
Menopause hit Darcey Steinke hard. First came hot flushes. Then insomnia. Then depression. As she struggled to understand what was happening to her, she slammed up against a culture of silence and sexism. Some promoted hormone replacement therapy, others encouraged acceptance, but there was little that offered a path to understanding menopause in an engaged way.
Flash Count Diary is a powerful exploration into aspects of menopause that have rarely been written about, including the changing gender landscape that reduced levels of hormones brings, the actualities of transforming desires, and the realities of prejudice against older women. It is a deeply feminist book, honest about the intimations of mortality that menopause signals but also an argument for the ascendency, beauty and power of the post-reproductive years in women’s lives.
“Many days I believe menopause is the new (if long overdue) frontier for the most compelling and necessary philosophy; Darcey Steinke is already there, blazing the way. This elegant, wise, fascinating, deeply moving book is an instant classic. I’m about to buy it for everyone I know”
Maggie Nelson
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“A searingly intelligent, richly imagined, deeply moving memoir and exploration of menopause. This is not like anything I have ever seen on the subject … [Steinke] takes her body, our history and nature itself seriously … I was incredibly stirred, educated and inspired by this book … I love this book. I admire this book. It’s fierce, and it’s important”
Elizabeth Gilbert
“A fiercely intelligent trawl through menopausal waters that is not afraid to confront the intricacies of the female body and mind. There is a beautiful precision to the writing”
Cathy Rentzenbrink
the Times
“Incandescent”
Olivia Laing
guardian Book Of The Week
“[Steinke’s] refreshing description of the second act is stylish. Based on interviews, it is a new take on the power of women at this stage of adulthood … she has a positive take on desire and sexuality, which many women will find uplifting and surprising”
sunday Times
Darcey Steinke
Darcey Steinke is the author of five novels including Sister Golden Hair, Jesus Saves, Up Through the Water, Milk and Suicide Blonde, and a memoir Easter Everywhere. Her books have been translated into ten languages.
@Darcey Steinke | darceysteinke.com
