Author Miranda July, known for her thought-provoking work, dives into a vibrant conversation about her latest book, 'All Fours.' She explores the chaos of motherhood, fluctuating hormones, and the thrilling aspects of perimenopause. July challenges listeners to rethink societal norms and embrace their desires and fantasies—yes, even the ones involving tampons! With humor and authenticity, she shares insights on self-discovery during pivotal life transitions, encouraging honesty in both writing and emotions.
46:48
forum Ask episode
web_stories AI Snips
view_agenda Chapters
menu_book Books
auto_awesome Transcript
info_circle Episode notes
insights INSIGHT
The Unspoken Experiences of Mid-Life Women
Miranda July noticed a mismatch between her internal experience and societal descriptions of mid-life women.
This mismatch fueled her desire to explore the untold stories and hidden emotions of this demographic.
insights INSIGHT
Mid-life as a Sacred Transition
Mid-life is a wild, psychedelic experience, similar to adolescence.
This period is important and should be seen as a sacred transition, not a negative experience.
insights INSIGHT
Menopause: A Defining Moment
The second half of a woman's life is valuable and the menopausal transition is key.
This period allows women to define themselves with wisdom, unlike their younger selves.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Set in the 1980s, 'Call Me By Your Name' is a poignant and intimate story of first love. The novel follows Elio Perlman, a precocious and educated 17-year-old, as he develops a powerful and complex relationship with Oliver, his father's visiting student. The story explores themes of love, loss, and the enduring impact of first love, even as the characters move on with their lives. The novel is known for its vivid descriptions, profound quotes, and the realistic portrayal of youthful emotions and philosophical introspections[1][3][5].
All Fours
Miranda July
Miranda July's "All Fours" is a poignant and unconventional novel that explores themes of aging, mortality, and the complexities of human connection. The narrative unfolds through the experiences of an unnamed narrator grappling with her changing body and relationships. July's writing style is characterized by its intimate and often humorous approach to profound subjects. The book delves into the challenges of intergenerational friendships and the societal obsession with youth. Ultimately, "All Fours" offers a reflective and empathetic portrayal of the human experience.
Would you rip up your current life and reinvent yourself if you had the chance? Do you have desires you’d want to explore? Maybe there are hidden parts of yourself you’ve never had the chance to get to know? Which societal rules would you want to ignore?
Author Miranda July asks all these questions in October’s Happy Place Book Club novel: All Fours. She picks apart how we can fall into the monotony of every day routine instead of acknowledging the wild emotions and longings inside us.
In this chat, Fearne and Miranda talk about fluctuating hormones, pressures of motherhood, sexual fantasies (some of which may or may not involve tampons), and menopause as an incredibly exciting and sacred transitional period.
Fearne asks Miranda to help her be even more painfully unfiltered in her own writing, while Miranda exclusively reveals how she originally intended the novel to end. Plus, what about this book made Fearne say it was the ‘one of the hottest, sexiest things’ she’d ever read...?
Thank you to Canongate Books for the use of All Fours audiobook, read by Miranda July.
Happy Place 
