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Original poster

Recommend me a book with a middle aged woman protagonist

96 replies

AlyssumandHelianthus · 26/04/2023 23:34

I want to feel inspired and hopeful after I read it!
Fried green tomatoes at the whistle stop cafe was a good one in this line.

OP posts:
ExtremelyDetermined · 27/04/2023 14:40

Yes, I came on to say The Enchanted April, I first read it years ago and re-read it a couple of weeks ago, such a nice change to have a book centred on women with the men as minor characters.

I really enjoyed A Single Thread too.

LunaNorth · 27/04/2023 14:41

I adore Oive Kitteridge. Just love her.

ExtremelyDetermined · 27/04/2023 14:45

Also Diary of a Provincial Lady by E M Delafield, the story of a long suffering 1930s upper class lady trying to manage her household and husband, those of us on the Flylady threads can relate.

groovergirl · 27/04/2023 14:47

The Rector's Wife, by Joanna Trollope. Anna is 40, fed up with being overworked and penniless, and decides to make a few changes.

Feministwoman · 27/04/2023 14:59

Wild Designs by Katie Fforde.

Romantic, but thought provoking

VaddaABeetch · 27/04/2023 15:14

Miss Garnets angel.

Coxspurplepippin · 27/04/2023 15:19

Mary Wesley and Barbara Pym.

LunaNorth · 27/04/2023 15:57

Excellent Women by Barbara Pym.

LunaNorth · 27/04/2023 15:58

The Mapp and Lucia books by EF Benson.

moggerhanger · 27/04/2023 15:59

The Agatha Raisin murder mysteries?

almostwarm · 27/04/2023 16:06

Elly Griffiths' Dr Ruth Galloway series is a series centered on a middle aged woman, forensic archaeologist.

Mogginsthemog · 27/04/2023 18:36

Forever Home by Graham Norton

isthewashingdryyet · 27/04/2023 18:41

Revenge of the middle aged woman by Elizabeth Buchan. Some of her other books are great too.
Also books by Wendy Perriam.

mummyoffourminimes · 27/04/2023 18:42

The Marlow murder club

Capitalismwantsyou · 27/04/2023 18:51

Jessica Daniels books.by Kerry Wilkinson

Decafflatteplease · 27/04/2023 19:06

Blackcountryexile · 27/04/2023 13:01

The Keeper of Stories by Sally Page
Miss Benson's Beetle by Rachel Joyce
A Single Thread by Tracy Chevalier

Another vote for all these 3. They are all excellent. Also remarkable creatures by Tracey Chevalier is fabulous.

Stacey halls is also an excellent historical fiction writer with female protagonists although not necessarily middle aged.

I'm currently reading the dictionary of lost words and although the protagonist isn't middle aged as it follows her from childhood it's an excellent book about women, women's rights and the suffragette movement, the power of words, language, class. Would highly recommend!

Decafflatteplease · 27/04/2023 19:08

Also, small pleasures by Clare Chambers. Read this recently and loved it

Mummynew08 · 27/04/2023 19:10

I'm reading Magpie Murders (which was also on TV recently starring Leslie Manville)

ArcticBells · 27/04/2023 19:51

Love book threads - am making a list!

HeidiUpTheMountain · 27/04/2023 19:57

The Isabel Dalhousie books by Alexander McCall Smith - she is in her early forties, a philosopher and likes younger men.

Honnomushi · 27/04/2023 20:09

The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi by Shannon Chakraborty. I'm reading it at the moment and really enjoying it. A middle aged mother who is also a retired pirate and takes on one last job.

Boomboomboomboom · 27/04/2023 20:19

The Chronicles of St Mary's are great if you like comedic historical time travel. There's lots (13?) and a spin off Time Police series and both have female protagonists.

Thisismyluckyday · 27/04/2023 20:29

Quite a few Sue Miller books fit the bill. Or what about Lionel Shriver?

IceCreamNuts · 27/04/2023 20:32

MobyJeff · 26/04/2023 23:37

All Fun and games until someone loses an eye by Christopher brookmyre.

Love this one. It's been years since I've read it but you might've inspired a re-read.

2userspast3 · 27/04/2023 20:42

Mrs Tim Flies Home - haven't read it but sounds very enjoyable and is on my list.