Podcast Ep#4: Menopause and a Midlife Crisis with Novelist Dana Spiotta
Dana Spiotta talks menopause, writing and women on My Bloody Hell. (c. Jessica Marx)
On episode 4 of the podcast, award-winning novelist, Dana Spiotta joins host Lori Tharps to talk about her new novel Wayward. Wayward is a thought-provoking book that centers the life of Samantha “Sam” Raymond, a white American woman whose menopause journey coincides with her midlife crisis...or maybe menopause causes the crisis.
Midlife Crisis or Menopause?
In the story, Sam’s life has just begun to come apart: “Trump has been elected, her mother is ill and her teenage daughter is increasingly remote. At fifty-two she finds herself staring into 'the Mids' - those night-time hours of supreme wakefulness where women of a certain age contemplate their lives. In Sam's case, this means motherhood, mortality, and the state of an unravelling nation."
On a whim, Sam buys a decrepit old house, abandons her family, and tries to build a new life on her own terms.
Wayward is a brilliant novel about menopause and a midlife crisis.
Conversations about Menopause Matter
During the conversation - which includes no spoilers from the book - Dana shares her motivations for writing a book about menopause, the invisibility of women of a certain age, why we need to normalize conversations about the things that happen to our bodies, and Edith Bunker’s menopause moment on All in the Family.
It’s an honest and sometimes hilarious conversation that hopefully gives listeners some useful food for thought on how we can all reframe menopause and continue the conversation that will liberate us from suffering in silence and alone.
At the end of the show you’ll hear how you can win a free copy of Wayward, so be sure to listen all the way to the end of the episode.
More Menopause Inspiration and Information Mentioned in the Episode
To find out more about Dana Spiotta and her writing, visit her website at DanaSpiotta.com.
To purchase a copy of Wayward, visit Amazon or try your favorite indie bookseller.
Dana mentioned the book Flash Count Diary: Menopause and the Vindication of Natural Life by Darcy Steinke. It’s a powerful memoir about Steinke’s menopause journey and the natural world.
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Disclaimer: Lori L. Tharps is not a doctor, nor any other type of medical professional, therefore do not use anything you hear on this podcast as a substitute for verifiable medical advice and information. Always check with your doctor or health care provider if you have any medical questions or concerns regarding menopause or any other health-related issue. ** Some of the links above are affiliate links. That means, if you purchase a book or a product linked above, we may receive a small comission from your purchase at no additional cost to you.