Recommend me a book with a middle aged woman protagonist

[AlyssumandHelianthus]

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.

"The Raven Ring" Patricia Wrede
"Remnant Population" Elizabeth Moon

A triple yes to this one from me. I probably re-read it every couple of years.

Lots of Jenny Eclair's books have middle aged and older women as main characters.

Life and loves of a she-devil - Fay Weldon

Blott on the landscape - Tom Sharpe

Grown-ups and Again, Rachel by Marian Keyes

Clare in the Outlander series is middle aged for much of it.

Yes yes to Claire!

Paladin of Souls by Lois McMaster Bujold. It's set in a fantasy world based on medieval Spain, but the characterisation is so good that the background doesn't matter.

A Thousand Acres, by Jane Smiley - it's a reworking of King Lear, set in Iowa, told from the perspective of the Goneril character, and I think it's beautifully done.

Another vote for the Elly Griffiths series, and also Anne Tyler - I really like Ladder of Years.

The School for Good Mothers - Jessamine Chan.

Middle Age - Joyce Carol Oates; lots of female (and male) protagonists.

The Change
Lessons in Chemistry

Interesting and useful thread

Lucy Barton trilogy by Elizabeth Strout. Lucy ages throughout the series. Last one Lucy by the Sea would stand alone well if you just wanted older Lucy.

I'm currently enjoying Best of Friends by Kamila Shamsie. The two main women are in their 40s. Is that middle aged?

Magpie Lane- protagonist is a middle aged sinister nanny. Really gripping.

Miss Benson's Beetle by Rachel Joyce. So great!

Another vote for Miss Benson's Beetle.

@DoverWight

I have just finished the Southern Ladies book on audio today. Really really enjoyed it!!!

James Patterson's Women's Murder Club series is very absorbing. The plots are interesting and the characters are believable. There are a lot of them, too

I have also read another, not sure if it's been mentioned here called The Change by Kirsten Miller about 3 mid- life women coming into their own. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

The Slaves of Solitude by Patrick Hamilton. Set in a boarding house during WWII. The protagonist is a Miss Roach and she’s wonderful.

Diary of a provincial lady by EM Delafield.

i don’t know about inspired and hopeful but I laughed till I cried in recognition of its acutely observed social interactions.

@Receiverofrage I adore this book so much!! Comfort reading -read so many times!!!

So many recommendations! I need to take notes.