A novel for a friend...

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Readers of Mumsnet, I need your wisdom! I'm looking for a novel for a friend who is turning 40. I don't want it to be obvious (as in self exploration/self help style), but I'd love a very good, classical, well written novel that captures this mid-life stage for women. One of those that imparts life wisdom, and stays with you. Nothing tragic, please.
Thank you in advance 🙏

The Enchanted April by Elizabeth von Arnim is a wonderful book. It is a classic that I only recently discovered and have been suggesting to others, who have loved it. It is about an odd assortment of women who end up renting an Italian castle for a month.

Ohh, this sounds lovely, thank you @Cismyfatarse 😍🙏

This has peaked my interest. More books about women of a certain age! I looked up "books like Enchanted April" and it suggested novels that are more "magical" than women of that age.

There's probably Dorothy Whipple but I've not read many of hers. The Village by Marghanita Laski. Humorous fictionalised diaries like EM Delafield's Diary of a Provincial Lady and also Mrs Tim of the Regiment by DE Stevenson.

Then The British Library Women Writers might be fertile ground. Dangerous Ages by Rose Macaulay fits the bill.

But I'd love more suggestions if I can hijack the thread.