Flash Count Diary

I hope that Steinke's book, which I consumed hungrily, will encourage a wave of work by and about women undergoing what is, quite literally, a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Steinke makes the case that the inexorable slide away from fertility is a rebirth of agency, and her book is the fruit of the very creativity it describes * * New Yorker * * Meticulously researched and passionately written, Flash Count Diary examines the shame and stigma attached to female aging so closely that their opposites are revealed. Steinke posits menopause as a channel through which new realms of possibility, depth, strength and growth can be revealed. An inspiring and visionary book -- CHRIS KRAUS, author of I Love Dick Part memoir, part manifesto, part natural history, this book is a profound white-knuckle ride through unnamed territories -- JENNY OFFILL, author of Dept. of Speculation Revolutionary * * Daily Mail * * Darcey Steinke opens the door on to the dark, frightening and lonely room where the Menopause has long resided and draws it into the sun, into the light. It's a book for all women (and men), written with brilliance, imagination, humanity, lucidity and love -- JULIET STEVENSON [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 * * Incandescent -- OLIVIA LAING * * Guardian Book of the Week * * 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 * * 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 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