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The Big M

13 Writers Take Back the Story of Menopause
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The Big M

By: Lidia Yuknavitch
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About this listen

Lidia Yuknavitch teams up with 12 of today's sharpest writers to change the way we think about menopause. Exploring a variety of themes from freedom and mortality, to sexuality and the patriarchy, THE BIG M is a kaleidoscope of unique perspectives on a universal experience, each writer navigating the profound changes in their bodies and lives in their own ways. At times funny, insightful, subversive, and inspiring, THE BIG M aims to rebrand—and reinvent—our understanding of menopause.

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 Danqua, Gina Frangello, Monica Drake, Lan Samantha Chang, Julia Alvarez, Darcey Steinke, and Pam Houston. By including a wide range of voices and perspectives, Yuknavitch’s collection ensures that every listener feels less alone with an experience that—while common—has been taboo for too long.

©2026 Lidia Yuknavitch (P)2026 Grand Central Publishing Aging & Longevity Gender Studies Social Sciences

Critic Reviews

“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
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