The Big M
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This is narrative medicine at its finest: Lidia Yuknavitch and 12 of today’s sharpest, most daring writers break the silence. They are here to reclaim the story of menopause—for all of us and those on the way, because we are not the story they made of us. This is a new story, told on our own terms—a long overdue reckoning.
Exploring themes of freedom and mortality, sexuality and the patriarchy, The Big M is a chorus of voices, each writer navigating the profound changes in their bodies and lives in their own fiercely individual way. Funny, subversive, insightful, and deeply human, these stories form a living constellation—one you might take into your life in times of duress, transformation, or awakening.
The Big M includes work from a diverse group of influential writers, including: Roxane Gay, Cheryl Strayed, Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai, Reyna Grande, Joey Soloway, Nana-Ama Danquah, Gina Frangello, Monica Drake, Lan Samantha Chang, Julia Alvarez, Darcey Steinke, and Pam Houston.
Published By Grand Central Publishing
Format Paperback
Number Of Pages 384
Publication Date 01/27/2026
ISBN 9781538783092
Dimensions 5.5 inches x 8.25 inches
"These penetrating and lyrical reflections bring serious cultural analysis to a historically taboo subject. Readers experiencing menopause will find solidarity and hope."
—Publishers Weekly
“As varied in experience as it is refreshingly and (yes) brutally honest, The Big M offers a chorus of voices to enlighten, guide, and buoy any woman through the joys, the trials, and the ultimate awakening/redefining that occurs in midlife.”
—Cathi Hanauer, editor of New York Times bestseller Bitch in the House“At last, a corrective breaking the pervasive silence around menopause and its many effects on the body and mind, effects that have previously blindsided one uninformed generation after another. The Big M gathers some of the most compelling writers of our time, voicing a wide array of menopause experiences, and revealing ways in which—counter to gendered ageism's messaging—we gain empowerment in our crone years."—Sari Botton, founder of Oldster Magazine, and author of And You May Find Yourself...Confessions of a Late-Blooming Gen-X Weirdo
"The Big M feels like a heartfelt conversation with a trusted friend. It reminds us that we are not alone. By sharing our stories, we can reshape the menopause experience together. With warmth and wisdom, this book leaves you feeling informed, empowered, and more connected to yourself and others on the journey."
—Nedra Glover Tawwab, New York Times bestselling author of Set Boundaries, Find Peace and Drama Free
"Not so much a map as an invitation to explore fearlessly one’s own unique experience, the book provides a chorus of generally calm, comforting, and often surprisingly humorous voices."
—Kirkus Reviews