In 1972, Simone de Beauvoir, a feminist philosopher, bravely published her book "The Coming of Age" to shed light on the silence surrounding aging. She argued that society views old age as a shameful secret, making it taboo to discuss. Even today, nearly 60 years later, our attitude toward aging remains unchanged, as depicted by Australian writers Trish Bolton, Annie de Monchaux, and Jane Tara in their recent novels.

Redefining Aging Norms

In her debut novel, "Whenever You're Ready," Bolton offers a portrayal of three septuagenarian female friends, drawing from her personal experiences with aging. She contends that society often stigmatizes aging, failing to recognize it as a privilege and resulting in a lack of representation of older women in literature. Bolton challenges these stereotypes by depicting older women navigating life's challenges with resilience and leading meaningful lives.

According to Books+Publishing, Bolton's narrative delves into the complexities of grief and loss, exploring themes of love, longing, and remorse. Despite the heavy subject matter, Bolton maintains a light and matter-of-fact tone in her storytelling, akin to the style of Sally Hepworth and infused with the depth of Jennifer Down's writing. Readers familiar with Gail Honeyman's portrayal of resilient women will find resonance in Bolton's depiction of retired yet resilient characters.

Tackling "Invisible Woman Syndrome"

Tara's novel "Tilda Is Visible" tackles the concept of 'invisible woman syndrome,' where aging women feel overlooked in various aspects of life. Tara's protagonist literally fades from view, reflecting the internal struggle of feeling unseen and undervalued.

Tilda, the protagonist, enjoys a fulfilling life as a single and independent woman running a business called This Is A Sign. However, her life takes a surreal turn when she begins to experience the mysterious disappearance of her finger, symbolizing the societal invisibility that comes with age and gender.

Accompanying her struggles is PEARL, a critical inner voice that exacerbates her feelings of inadequacy. Supported by her friends Leith and Ali, Tilda navigates through the challenges of female friendship, love, divorce, and past trauma.

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Through flashbacks to her traumatic childhood, the novel delves into deeper themes with sensitivity, adding depth to Tilda's character and the overall narrative. According to ArtsHub, "Tilda is Visible" offers an easy yet thought-provoking read, blending suburban surrealism with relatable characters and themes that prompt conversations beyond the pages.

Exploring Middle-Age Invisibility

De Monchaux's forthcoming novel, "Audrey's Gone AWOL," delves into the sense of invisibility experienced in middle age, shedding light on the societal expectations imposed on women to adhere to traditional roles and the challenge of seeking fulfillment beyond these norms.

According to Books+Publishing, "Audrey's Gone AWOL" is praised for its eloquent and humorous examination of middle age, addressing themes such as womanhood, motherhood, life, death, marriage, and betrayal.

The novel follows Audrey, who feels stuck and lost in her marriage and family life as she approaches the age of 60. Discovering her husband's affair shakes her world, prompting her to find comfort at her aunt's home in rural France. There, she rediscovers her self-esteem and pursues her creative dreams without holding back. Meeting new people helps Audrey appreciate life's simple pleasures and meaningful connections, allowing her to embrace who she truly is fully.

De Monchaux's book shows charming country life scenes and explores deep themes like love, death, and being authentic. With its lovable characters and sincere story, it's sure to grab readers' attention.

These stories delve into the intricate facets of growing older and question societal standards of beauty and value, especially concerning women. They underscore the idea that aging is a natural process to be embraced rather than hidden away in shame.

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