Flesh & Blood Reflections on Infertility Family & Creating a Bountiful Life A Memoir

"I drive and think to myself, if I am dying, if this is how I die, then this is how I die." When N. West Moss finds herself bleeding uncontrollably in the middle of a writing class, she drives herself to the hospital, rather than bother anyone about an ambulance. Because she is a writer, she can't help her next thoughts: "The word 'exsanguinate' comes bubbling up into my mind as I drive. Perhaps I am exsanguinating. Bleeding out. It's a magnificent word, exsanguinate. Exsanguination. Latin, probably. Worth a zillion points in Scrabble."

For a while, doctors cannot figure out exactly what is wrong with Moss, but eventually surgery is determined to be the answer, a hysterectomy. We follow Moss through her surgery and recovery, as her thoughts turn naturally to her previous struggles with infertility--but what makes her such an engaging narrator is that even when she is low and on bedrest her curiosity is limitless. Among her interests: social insects, yellow fever, good cocktails, the history of New Orleans, and always the natural world, including the praying mantis in her sunroom whom she names Claude. When she is finally able to walk a bit, we meet the delightful monks who live up the road from her. And we learn about the line of women in Moss's family, her deep connections to her mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. Moss discovers that there are other ways besides children to leave a legacy and there is joy in living day to day. And she learns that grief is not a stopping place but a companion that travels along with us through everything, even happiness.

Flesh and Blood will resonate with the millions of women who have dealt with miscarriages and infertility and with everyone who loves a beautifully told story by a quirky and poetic observer of this dramatic and glorious world.

A remarkable memoir that breaks the silence about infertility--and will resonate with millions of women.

"I drive and say to myself, if I am dying, if this is how I die, then this is how I die." When N. West Moss finds herself bleeding uncontrollably in the middle of a writing class, she drives herself to the hospital. Doctors are baffled, but eventually a diagnosis--hemangioma--is determined and a hysterectomy is scheduled. We follow Moss through her surgery, complications, and recovery as her thoughts turn to her previous struggles with infertility, to grief and healing, to what it means to leave a legacy.

Moss's wise, droll voice and limitless curiosity lift this beautiful memoir beyond any narrow focus. Among her interests: yellow fever, good cocktails, the history of New Orleans, and, always, the natural world, including the praying mantis in her sunroom whom she names Claude. And we learn about the inspiring women in Moss's family--her mother, her grandmother, and her great-grandmother--as she sorts out her feeling that this line will end with her. But Moss discovers that there are other ways besides having children to make a mark, and that grief is not a stopping place but a companion that travels along with us through everything, even happiness.

With public figures like Chrissy Teigen and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, speaking out about infertility recently, women are eager for voices that acknowledge their struggles. Fans of Lena Dunham, Leslie Jamison, and Jenny Lawson--along with readers of medical memoirs like When Breath Becomes Air and The Bright Hour--will find that connection in Moss's Flesh & Blood.

"A healing balm, this inviting memoir lights a path through grief and illness." -- Kirkus Reviews, starred review

A remarkable memoir that breaks the silence about infertility--and will resonate with millions of women.

"I drive and say to myself, if I am dying, if this is how I die, then this is how I die." When N. West Moss finds herself bleeding uncontrollably in the middle of a writing class, she drives herself to the hospital. Doctors are baffled, but eventually a diagnosis--hemangioma--is determined and a hysterectomy is scheduled. We follow Moss through her surgery, complications, and recovery as her thoughts turn to her previous struggles with infertility, to grief and healing, to what it means to leave a legacy.

Moss's wise, droll voice and limitless curiosity lift this beautiful memoir beyond any narrow focus. Among her interests: yellow fever, good cocktails, the history of New Orleans, and, always, the natural world, including the praying mantis in her sunroom whom she names Claude. And we learn about the inspiring women in Moss's family--her mother, her grandmother, and her great-grandmother--as she sorts out her feeling that this line will end with her. But Moss discovers that there are other ways besides having children to make a mark, and that grief is not a stopping place but a companion that travels along with us through everything, even happiness.

With public figures like Chrissy Teigen and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, speaking out about infertility recently, women are eager for voices that acknowledge their struggles. Fans of Lena Dunham, Leslie Jamison, and Jenny Lawson--along with readers of medical memoirs like When Breath Becomes Air and The Bright Hour--will find that connection in Moss's Flesh & Blood.

Honest, warm, and witty, this memoir reads like a chat with a dear friend sharing her insight and her vulnerabilities, taking us on the journey as she heals. Complete with family stories over cocktails and a new friend named Claude, who happens to be a praying mantis.

"I drive and say to myself, if I am dying, if this is how I die, then this is how I die." When N. West Moss finds herself bleeding uncontrollably in the middle of a writing class, she drives herself to the hospital. Doctors are baffled, but eventually a diagnosis--hemangioma--is determined and a hysterectomy is scheduled. We follow Moss through her surgery, complications, and recovery as her thoughts turn to her previous struggles with infertility, to grief and healing, to what it means to leave a legacy.

Moss's wise, droll voice and limitless curiosity lift this beautiful memoir beyond any narrow focus. Among her interests: yellow fever, good cocktails, the history of New Orleans, and, always, the natural world, including the praying mantis in her sunroom whom she names Claude. And we learn about the inspiring women in Moss's family--her mother, her grandmother, and her great-grandmother--as she sorts out her feeling that this line will end with her. But Moss discovers that there are other ways besides having children to make a mark, and that grief is not a stopping place but a companion that travels along with us through everything, even happiness.

With public figures like Chrissy Teigen and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, speaking out about infertility recently, women are eager for voices that acknowledge their struggles. Fans of Lena Dunham, Leslie Jamison, and Jenny Lawson--along with readers of medical memoirs like When Breath Becomes Air and The Bright Hour--will find that connection in Moss's Flesh & Blood.

Honest, warm, and witty, this memoir reads like a chat with a dear friend sharing her insight and taking us along as she heals. Complete with family stories over cocktails and a praying mantis named Claude.

"I drive and say to myself, if I am dying, if this is how I die, then this is how I die." When N. West Moss finds herself bleeding uncontrollably in the middle of a writing class, she manages to drive herself to the nearest hospital. Doctors are baffled, but eventually a diagnosis--uterine hemangioma--is rendered and a hysterectomy is scheduled. In prose both lyrical and unsparing, Moss takes us along through illness, relapse, and recovery. And as her thoughts turn to her previous struggles with infertility, she reflects on kin and kinship and on what it means to leave a legacy.

Moss's wise, droll voice and limitless curiosity lift this narrative beyond any narrow focus. Among her interests: yellow fever, good cocktails, the history of New Orleans, and, always, the natural world, including the praying mantis in her sunroom whom she names Claude. And we learn about the inspiring women in Moss's family--her mother, her grandmother, and her great-grandmother--as she sorts out her feelings that this line will end with her. But Moss discovers that there are ways besides having children to make a mark, and that grief is not a stopping place but a companion that travels along with us through everything, even happiness.

A remarkably honest memoir about heartache and healing, Flesh & Blood opens up a conversation with the millions of women who live with infertility and loss.