They provoke and unsettle. They are subversive. In the poetic shaping of imagination, the female writers portrayed in this book push boundaries, even and especially in old age. They have reached the peak of their art. Ruthless, humorous, critical. They each handle aging differently, yet none become sentimental, none lament. They are realistic, work with utmost concentration, and create their reality through language. They have continuously and consistently evolved, discovered new facets, and expanded their horizons – while remaining true to themselves.