Book Riot's Read Harder Challenge discussion
2018 Read Harder Challenge
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Task #23: A book with a female protagonist over the age of 60
I read Lady Fortescue Steps Out by M. C. Beaton for this. It was a charming, short read (but pretty fluffy.) If you like Austen, I suggest this!
My ideas so far for this prompt are:The Secret Scripture by Sebastian Barry (Roseanne is nearly 100)
The Secrets of Flight by Maggie Leffler (Mary is 87)
Emily is Missing by Emma Healey (Maud's age is not given in the description but she is defined as "elderly" and "aging")
Sam wrote: "I was just listening to a 99% Invisible interview with author Scott McCloud and he mentioned a new comic that would fit this prompt: Bingo Love. This might be the one for me!For d..."
Ooh! That does look good. Thanks for sharing.
Based on the cover, it looks like it would also work for romance about or by a POC.
I just started The Hounds and the Fury by Rita Mae Brown. The female protagonist Jane Arnold “Sister” is 73 years old.
I just finished “Remnant Population” by Elizabeth Moon, which fits this category and, for double dippers, also #17 - A sci-fi novel with a female protagonist by a female author. Really good!
novelteathoughts wrote: "When I googled for elderly women in books I found one with a 3000-year-old sorceress lol. I'll take it! Polgara the Sorceress"What an awesome series!
Yrinsyde wrote: "Woman at 1000 Degrees is an Icelandic novel translated into English with a protagonist over 60 ... if anyone wants to double dip! This was mentioned on an Around the World group I'm part of."I read this one as an ARC for NetGalley. It’s really good.
Wow, there are so many great books in this discussion. I had plenty from which to choose, but I ended up going with a guilty pleasure - the next in a cozy mystery series that I’ve been reading. The sleuth is a retired English teacher and and octogenarian. Murder on Opening Night
I found a great source for potential books in this category - a blog which reviews a book about a woman over 60 every two months. Heavy on British literary fiction. http://www.bookword.co.uk/about-the-o...
ChezJulie wrote: "I found a great source for potential books in this category - a blog which reviews a book about a woman over 60 every two months. Heavy on British literary fiction. http://www.bookword.co.uk/about-..."What a great resource. I wish I had seen it before I I fulfilled this prompt with a book I was not crazy about, but there are several books listed there I think I will be reading anyway.
So good to take some time to read the forum here. I just ordered Remnant population so will use this one for this challenge.
Not sure if this has been mentioned yet, but do you think The Bettencourt Affair: The World's Richest Woman and the Scandal That Rocked Paris would count here? Not sure if Liliane Bettencourt or Francoise Meyers is the true protagonist, but Madame Bettencourt is absolutely over 60 for the bulk of this book, at least the part that discusses the scandal itself rather than background.
How It All Began by Penelope Lively is only $1.99 on Kindle right now. "When Charlotte Rainsford, a retired schoolteacher, is accosted by a petty thief on a London street, the consequences ripple across the lives of acquaintances and strangers alike." I'm enjoying it.
Rebecca wrote: "Could anyone clarify if Remnant Population works? I've seen it on several lists, and while the description mentions a lot of events I would associate with 60+, it also mentions 40 year..."The 40 years are how long she's been on the planet. I think it counts, if I remember correctly, but I read it a few years ago.
Thank you to the person who recommended this book for this category: "Like a Mule Bringing Ice Cream to the Sun" by Sarah Ladipo Manyika. Just finished it yesterday and it was wonderful! I'm working on my review but suffice it to say that it was completely engrossing, beautifully written, and the character larger than life.
OMG! This is so going to be my favorite task. I need to go over this thread with time, so many of these books will end up on my list... Haven't decided yet which one to read for now, but I realized I need to read more about old women!
I've never read an Agatha Christie novel, and that seems like a grave oversight. So I'll likely go with one of those, but the Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman is a verrrrry close second for me... We shall see how the wind blows!
Anna wrote: "OMG! This is so going to be my favorite task. I need to go over this thread with time, so many of these books will end up on my list... Haven't decided yet which one to read for now, but I realizedWait! "old women"!????!! Is someone over 60 an old woman???? As someone over 65, that distresses me. Maybe "mature women"? "Women in early old age?"
Daph wrote: "How old is Agatha Christie's Miss Marple? Would she qualify?"I was going to use Miss Marple but after reading the first in the series found she wasn't really the protagonist - in fact she featured very little in the actual narrative. I was disappointed.
Maureen wrote: "Anna wrote: "OMG! This is so going to be my favorite task. I need to go over this thread with time, so many of these books will end up on my list... Haven't decided yet which one to read for now, b..."When I turned 50 my son told me I was only middle-aged if I planned to live to 100. Since then I have accepted by current old lady status (I am 55).
Bonnie wrote: "When I turned 50 my son told me I was only middle-aged if I planned to live to 100. Since then I have accepted by current old lady status (I am 55). ..."With 50 coming soon for me, this prompt made me realize how few literary models I have for being an old lady. And very little I have read has touched on the realities of my current life. I'm looking forward to reading a lot of the titles discussed for this task to see what's out there.
Has anyone read Crossed Genre's anthology Winter Well: Speculative Fiction About Older Women? I wonder how that would fit the challenge. I've had it for years now, but haven't got round to reading it.
Would Howl's Moving Castle work for this? Sophie, the main character, is put under spell that transforms her into an old woman. It's been on my shelf for years (for real, it even still has the Border's price sticker on the back) so I'm hoping that I can finally get it read for this.
Elizabeth wrote: "Has anyone read Crossed Genre's anthology Winter Well: Speculative Fiction About Older Women? I wonder how that would fit the challenge. I've had it for years now, but haven't got r..."Maybe this prompt is impetus to read the first piece or two in the anthology & see if they would qualify? If they don't, you've made progress on something you've intended for ages & can switch to another book if you don't have time for something that doesn't fit this challenge. And if either of them does, you can keep going! :)
Ellyn wrote: "Would Howl's Moving Castle work for this? Sophie, the main character, is put under spell ..."If you read it & don't feel it fulfills this prompt, it would work toward #16 (first in a YA series), & #17 (speculative fiction with female author & protagonist). Do you already have books slotted for those tasks?
Would The Trick to Time work? The protagonist starts the book at age 59 but celebrates her 60th birthday a few chapters in.
I picked up a copy of Remnant Population at Powell's for $3 when I was in Portland (score!), so I'm going to use it for this, sci fi female protagonist, or cover I do not like. I'd never heard of it before reading these posts, so thanks everyone!
Currently reading The Night Guest by Fiona Mcfarlane for this challenge. Unusual book but I am enjoying the writing style
Sarah wrote: "I've never read an Agatha Christie novel, and that seems like a grave oversight. So I'll likely go with one of those, but the Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman is a verrrrry close second for me......"Great idea--The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman has been on my TBR list forever! Thanks for the suggestion.
by
I just love the changes to go back over the stories I watch and read as a teen I love Miss Marple she is perfect for this task
If you're still struggling and aren't in to quaint mysteries I would suggest The Distant Marvels by Chantel Acevedo. Maria Sirena tells stories. She does it for money--she was a favorite in the cigar factory where she worked as a lettora--and for love, spinning gossamer tales out of her own past for the benefit of friends, neighbors, and family. But now, like a modern-day Scheherazade, she will be asked to tell one last story so that eight women can keep both hope and themselves alive.
Cuba, 1963. Hurricane Flora, one of the deadliest hurricanes in recorded history, is bearing down on the island. Seven women have been forcibly evacuated from their homes and herded into the former governor's mansion, where they are watched over by another woman, a young soldier of Castro's new Cuba named Ofelia. Outside the storm is raging and the floodwaters are rising. In a single room on the top floor of the governor's mansion, Maria Sirena begins to tell the incredible story of her childhood during Cuba's Third War of Independence; of her father Augustin, a ferocious rebel; of her mother, Lulu, an astonishing woman who fought, loved, dreamed, and suffered as fiercely as her husband. Stories, however, have a way of taking on a life of their own, and transported by her story's momentum, Maria Sirena will reveal more about herself than she or anyone ever expected.
Chantel Acevedo's The Distant Marvels is an epic adventure tale, a family saga, a love story, a stunning historical account of armed struggle against oppressors, and a long tender plea for forgiveness. It is, finally, a life-affirming novel about the kind of love that lasts a lifetime and the very art of storytelling itself.
Yrinsyde wrote: "Woman at 1000 Degrees is an Icelandic novel translated into English with a protagonist over 60 ... if anyone wants to double dip! This was mentioned on an Around the World group I'm part of."Thanks for the suggestion!! This is right up my alley for this challenge!
P.S. This title is available on Hoopla if other readers interested in this book have that app available through your library.
This might be too loose of an interpretation, but I counted
as my book for this topic. I thought protagonist could apply to a non-fictional personage as well.
I read The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo for this task, but also had Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk on my list. The Seven Husbands read more like a memoir, but it was interesting and I enjoyed it. Lillian Boxfish is still in my TBR pile.
Dixie wrote: "Kirsty wrote: "I highly recommend The Summer Book."I just finished it. It was brilliant."
I also read it, I think based on a recommendation for another category. It is one of the best things I've read in ages.
Britt-Marie Was Here by Fredrick Blackman.
The Blind Assassin is a good choice. By the end, I loved the old woman. Fredrik Backman may have something, as well.
I've just read The Hearing Trumpet by Leonora Carrington and it was absolutely insane. Carrington is a surrealist writer and it's fair to say I finished this book with no real clue what had actually happened, lol, but it was HUGELY entertaining. Exploding nuns and werewolves, sardines, the Earth's axis tilting into a new ice age, ungrateful grandchildren and stolen cauliflower and the Holy Grail all stuffed into the world's dodgiest retirement home, filled with elderly ladies who murder each other with homemade poisoned chocolate.It's the most bizarre thing I've read in ages, and I was delighted.
Octavia wrote: "I've just read The Hearing Trumpet by Leonora Carrington and it was absolutely insane. Carrington is a surrealist writer and it's fair to say I finished this book with no real clue wha..."This sounds amazing! Thanks for the recommendation!
Ok, The Hearing Trumpet is on my TBR list now. 😀
Octavia wrote: "I've just read The Hearing Trumpet by Leonora Carrington and it was absolutely insane. Carrington is a surrealist writer and it's fair to say I finished this book with no real clue what had actually happened, lol, but it was HUGELY entertaining...."I was captivated by the notion of sardines & cauliflower somehow having to do with the other things you listed. My library, which usually is excellent about these things, has failed me in this title. I'll have to ask for it through inter-library loan! :)
I haven't gone through this thread yet, but I rarely see this fabulous book on lists naming female protagonists over 60: Wise Children by Angela Carter. It's one of my favourites of hers (her final novel, I think). The characters are witty and memorable. I'd read it again but it wouldn't count, so I'm pretty sure I'll read Mrs. Palfrey at the Claremont (then I can finally see the movie afterwards, sometime).
Tamara wrote: "I haven't gone through this thread yet, but I rarely see this fabulous book on lists naming female protagonists over 60: Wise Children by Angela Carter. It's one of my favourites of hers (her final..."I've chosen Wise Children to read for this task. I absolutely love Angela Carter, especially her short stories.
I would suggest The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid - it's amazing!
Book Riot's Read Harder Challenge
Books mentioned in this topic
An Elderly Lady Is Up to No Good (other topics)Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk (other topics)
Advent of Dying (other topics)
A Christmas Memory (other topics)
The Summer Book (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Carol Anne O'Marie (other topics)Truman Capote (other topics)
Agatha Christie (other topics)
Kathleen Rooney (other topics)
Dara Horn (other topics)
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But there was a useful comment by an author..."
I read over 100 pages into this book before allowing myself to admit that this was not the book for me. I'll be giving Amy Tan's The Joy Luck Club a go instead.