Palingenesis

A memoir told through essays of one woman's experiences undergoing fertility treatment, and how she finds solace in writing, art, and the world around her.
In this poignant collection, Su Yin Yap navigates the heartbreak of infertility through a series of reflective essays. As a psychologist, she finds little solace in clinical literature and instead turns to writing, art, and nature to make sense of her experience. From Georgia O'Keeffe's paintings to Sri Lanka's rainforests, she seeks meaning and resilience.
Palingenesis explores the emotions, struggles and heartache of unsuccessful fertility treatment, with an appreciation for the transformative power of art and nature.

Su Yin Yap is a mixed-race Irish-Chinese psychologist and writer based in London. She has previously written journal articles and popular psychology pieces, before the experience of undergoing fertility treatment led her to creative writing. Her debut book, Palingenisis (which means 'rebirth'), is a memoir told through essays. Prior to publication, one of her essays won the Diana Woods Memorial Award in Summer/Fall 2020, and another was longlisted for the Spread the Word Life Writing Magazine Prize in 2020. Sun Yin is fascinated by the stories we tell about ourselves, where in a clinic room or on the pages of a book.