Tag: menopause

Book Review: ‘Went to London, Took the Dog’ by Nina Stibbe

As a big fan of Stibbe’s writing (and her previous autobiographical book, ‘Love, Nina’), I requested this without actually knowing what it was about. I don’t regret this at all!

In fact, it’s kind of tricky to pin down what this book is actually about. It’s Nina Stibbe’s diaries covering her move to London (with dog, Peggy, as indicated by the title) in the period of an impending divorce. Leaving her home in Cornwall, Stibbe takes a spare room in the home of author Deborah Moggach (‘Debby’) and spends a year navigating a new life in the city. Surrounded by friends (including lots of other writers) and her grown-up children, Stibbe reevaluates her life and muses on a range of topics – from the big things (life, love, family) to the very small (toads, internet adverts, swimming at the lido).

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‘Older and Wider’ by Jenny Eclair

Whilst I’m in the groove of writing about funny books, here is my review of ‘Older and Wider: A Survivor’s Guide to the Menopause’ by Jenny Eclair.

This was published earlier this month by Quercus Books.

Although I am (I hope) a few years away from menopause, I thought it would be nice to read something that doesn't make it sound terrifying!  I like Jenny Eclair so I was happy to give myself over to her humorous but no-nonsense advice.

The book is arranged as an A to Z of issues affecting women as they age.  Some were a little odd and off beat - instructions on growing cress for example - but generally it all made sense and was entertaining.  Jenny Eclair approaches the topic with lightness and wit - if you are after serious medical advice then this isn't for you!  However, if you want an engaging guide to female ageing and menopause then this is an excellent place to start - I think it would certainly reassure you that you aren't alone.

I particularly liked the fact that Eclair doesn't see menopause as the end - she focuses on the fact there is life beyond and an opportunity to feel comfortable in your own skin, something that sometimes isn't true of younger women who have a lot of society's pressures heaped on them.  Menopause doesn't sound fun, but neither does it sound all doom and gloom, which is exactly what I needed to hear!

I received a free copy of the book from NetGalley in return for an honest review.