Description
Eating too much, eating not enough, having sex, not having sex, aging parents, grief, drugs, childhood trauma, and the last call of ovaries — a woman’s body at mid-life can get messy. Debbie Bateman’s stories take a clear-eyed look at the largely unexplored private world of a pivotal stage in virtually every woman’s life. These stories are linked not only by the characters, but also by the visceral themes of food, sex, exercise, beauty, and aging. The secret clenching of a fist, the unwinding of a silk scarf, the proud refusal to have breast reconstruction, the women in these stories want full authority over their bodies and their lives.
Fiction. Women's Studies.
“A wonderful, fierce, and above all intelligent collection that grows in power with each succeeding story.” — Sharon Butala, author of Season of Fury and Wonder
“A hopeful and empathetic read, you’ll find yourself cheering for each woman you meet.” — Stella Leventoyannis Harvey, author of Finding Callidora
“Whether exploring menopause, anorexia, addiction or a relationship to an increasingly senile mother, these stories are so deeply rooted in the body that they can’t help but get under your skin. A formidable debut.” — Barbara Joan Scott, author of The Taste of Hunger
“This collection of stories shines a light on an under-seen population: women navigating middle age. Bateman's stories honour these women with honesty, compassion, and hope.” — Julie Paul, author of Meteorites
Author Bio
Debbie Bateman is a graduate of The Writer's Studio at Simon Fraser University. Her short stories have appeared in Phoebe, Qwerty, and the anthology You Look Good for Your Age. Now a post-menopausal woman, she is too young to be told what she cannot do. Fortunately, Debbie is also too old to deny that most lives are no different from hers; we are all a beautiful mess. Debbie lives in Quw'utsun (Cowichan) on Vancouver Island, BC.
Author City: DUNCAN, BC CAN