Menopause is a natural biological process that occurs in women usually between the ages of 45 and 55, marking the end of fertility. While it’s a normal transition, many women tend to shy away from discussing it publicly. This has given rise to a narrative in popular culture that ignores menopausal women altogether. However, bestselling author Jane Fallon wanted to change that perception.
In her latest novel, “Queen Bee,” Fallon created an uncommon heroine in Agatha Doyle, who is going through menopause. Fallon addresses a significant gap in literature by giving a voice to menopausal women who feel invisible. Fallon observed that younger women in fiction are ambitious and optimistic, while older women are shown as being mellow and sentimental. There is a disparity in the portrayal of middle-aged women, which leaves no room for those experiencing menopause.
Fallon’s novel marks the first epistolary of her career. However, it wasn’t Agatha’s diary entries that Fallon found troublesome, but weaving her storyline through the medium of letters. With Agatha’s entire life laid out in letters, Fallon had to work harder to create believable circumstances. Fallon gave Agatha a job as a historical fiction author, two grown-up sons, a recently widowed father, a friend living in LA, and a next-door neighbor who drove Agatha wild with her housework. Additionally, Fallon added considerable tension to Agatha’s life by giving her writer’s block and an approaching deadline for her novel. Agatha’s dad also finds himself a new lover, adding more stress to the story, as does her husband’s business, The Full Shilling.
The character Agatha is someone with whom readers might identify, particularly those who are going through menopause. Agatha’s life is a reflection of the realities of many women, middle-aged, menopausal, and juggling a variety of roles such as wife, mother, daughter, and friend. Furthermore, Fallon portrays Agatha in an unyielding light as a woman who is not afraid to speak her mind. With menopause not a topic often explored, Fallon felt compelled to tackle it after realizing that women over 50 are usually invisible in much of the media. As menopause is a critical stage in a woman’s life, the mere fact that it occurs as a natural part of aging should be enough to claim its place in popular culture.
Fallon’s novel is an excellent example of an authentic portrayal of a middle-aged woman, one who is flawed yet admirable. Her approach of giving recognition and representation to menopausal women is vital, and it could go a long way in ending the stigma surrounding it. So many women’s health conditions go unnoticed or are unrepresented in pop culture simply because they are seen as “invisible,” but with works like “Queen Bee,” Fallon can take steps to change that. Additionally, Fallon’s experience of giving life to Agatha echoes the words of many writers who have a character take over their entire life, demonstrating that some figures take on a life of their own instead of being a mere fictional construct.
In conclusion, Jane Fallon’s “Queen Bee” is a book that seeks to give voice to women experiencing menopause, an issue that has been largely ignored in popular culture. Fallon’s approach to creating her character Agatha was authentic and personal, coming to her in a moment of inspiration. The novel serves as a reminder that women of all ages and health conditions must be seen and adequately represented in pop culture. An inclusive society where all populations are represented in pop culture would be one step closer to ending the stigma surrounding many health conditions, as well as fostering a sense of understanding and empathy for those affected.
