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Original poster

good fiction about 45-55 year old women?

64 replies

marriedtothecat · 20/09/2013 16:05

Hello there. Can anyone suggest some accessible women's fiction (not too heavy/literary) featuring a woman in her late forties/fifties? I feel that there's a gap between chick lit/stories about having babies etc, and the books aimed at the silver-haired generation.

OP posts:
Foosyerdoos · 20/09/2013 22:27

The Woman Who Went to Bed for a Year by Sue Townsend. I found it funny and very moving.

BigPawsBrown · 20/09/2013 22:10

Someone else's wedding by Tamar Cohen

Thursdays in the park

Anything by Elizabeth noble

Thisisaeuphemism · 20/09/2013 22:09

Rowling - sorry

Thisisaeuphemism · 20/09/2013 22:09

I love love loved 'where dyou go Bernadette' - it's great.

I liked Jk row longs casual vacancy - men and women of all ages but she does the middle aged women particularly well I think.

DuchessofMalfi · 20/09/2013 18:49

Where'd You Go, Bernadette - Bernadette's 50ish.

Jeremiad · 20/09/2013 17:30

At Sea, by Laurie Graham. In fact, anything at all by Laurie Graham. She's hilarious, and a genius. But 'At Sea' should be available on prescription.

highlandcoo · 20/09/2013 17:29

Joanna Trollope often features women of this age in her fiction.

The Red House by Mark Haddon tells the story of a mid-age brother and sister and their respective families who rent a holiday house together following the death of their mother.

Some interesting female characters in Philip Hensher's The Northern Clemency too.

And then there are all the Persephone books, Greenbanks by Dorothy Whipple being one of the best known, but there are loads.

HandragsAndGladbags · 20/09/2013 16:38

The Ladykiller by Martina Cole

CakesAreNotTheAnswer · 20/09/2013 16:36

Elizabeth Berg, Never Change

Original poster
marriedtothecat · 20/09/2013 16:32

I like the look of the Charlotte Mendelson books though - thanks for that!

OP posts:
Original poster
marriedtothecat · 20/09/2013 16:30

Thanks for the suggestions. I'm wondering if you all feel that there is rather a lack of contemporary women's fiction in this area though? I feel there is, but am happy to be proved wrong! There are so many issues affecting this age group (ageing parents/children leaving home and, yes, menopause, ugh) but 45-55s seem to be classed along with the 60-plus lot in that rather patronising "oh look, you can still have a second chance at life" sort of way..

OP posts:
outragedofsuburbia · 20/09/2013 16:15

The Agatha Raison series of books by MC Beaton. She starts off being 53.

TunipTheUnconquerable · 20/09/2013 16:12

If you're happy with mid-twentieth century try Barbara Pym.

If you are ok with literary-but-not-too-heavy try Charlotte Mendelson.

Forester · 20/09/2013 16:11

Eloise by Judy Finnigan. I think the main character was in this age bracket.

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