Fifty is Not a Four-Letter Word

by Linda Kelsey

For all fans of Thursdays in the Park, Quartet or Amour - or the perfect 50th birthday gift. Life begins at fifty . . . Well, it certainly does for Hope, though not at all as she had planned. She reluctantly hits her half-century on New Year's Day and six months later she has lost her job, her husband and her mother. But Hope has guts - and a sense of humour. By the time she reaches fifty-one, she has acquired a taste for designer underwear, a Labrador puppy - and the memory of one perfect night in Paris. Who says fifty is over the hill?

Genres: Chick Lit, Fiction

384 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2007

Reviews

[Jacula · Rating 2 out of 5]

Written by Linda Kelsey, a former editor of Cosmopolitan magazine. This book's cover blurb variously described it as 'funny', 'wise' and 'spiky'. Spiky it certainly was. Wise? In parts. Funny - not at all, except for the bit about the dog ball thrower. I found this book rather depressing, not to mention self-centred, and felt it lacked the maturity and humour that Virginia Ironside's 'turning sixty' book had in full.

[Deborah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Talking about me!!! Good reading for the 50+ girls

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one is so true! It had me laughing and crying all in the same chapter--a must read!

[Laurel-Rain · Rating 5 out of 5]

What happens to a successful woman who suddenly finds everything falling away—and just after her fiftieth birthday? Is it all over for her now?

When Hope Lyndburst-Steele celebrates her fiftieth birthday, she is hoping to minimize the numbers, even as she pretends that it's just another birthday. She has a handsome husband, a wonderful son, and a great career. So why does she have this feeling?

Almost as if she has turned her fears and anxieties into reality, just by thinking about them, she still cannot believe it when her boss tells her that the magazine she has headed for more than twenty years is going in another direction. And her services are no longer needed. Nice severance package, though. Small consolation for Hope, who reflects on her life and her past choices even as the other shoe drops, and her husband Jack leaves her.

Most women go through some kind of reflective experience as they approach major birthdays. But Hope has to really make some changes. Following her journey as she slowly, very slowly, transforms her life is the most satisfying aspect of this story. Of course, before she begins that journey, she has to wallow for awhile...but then she begins again.

Exciting new things could be right on the horizon, but then, more devastating news comes to her as she struggles. But what Hope learns is that making over one's life is more important than face lifts, exercise, diets, or whatever. Changing her insides will ultimately bring her the happiness she seeks.

"Fifty Is Not a Four-Letter Word" is funny, heartwarming, and very down-to-earth, revealing the characters' flaws and strengths—they felt just like real people that I might meet on my own journey. Which is why this story definitely earned five stars from me.

[Holly (2 Kids and Tired) · Rating 1 out of 5]

Once again I'm in the minority when it comes to my review vs. my fellow book bloggers. This one was hailed as fantastic, terrific and well worth reading. It wasn't my cup of tea, so to speak, and I didn't even finish it.

While I'm on the over 40 side of life, I'm not quite to my 50s yet. However, from the description this sounded appealing. Hope Steele, a top magazine editor has a terrific job, wonderful husband and son. Life can change quickly and as her 50th birthday approaches, Hope loses her job, her husband decides it's over, her son starts running around with a trashy woman and her mother announces her impending death. Hope leaves it all behind and runs to Paris, hoping she can give her life the jump-start it needs.

I didn't like Hope. I found little to redeem her and nothing to make me care about her. I didn't like the s*x scenes and talk (although they were mild, compared to others) and the profanity was vulgar and unnecessary.

If you're looking for positive reviews, however, there are many to be found. Thanks to Miriam at Hatchette Books for the opportunity to review this. I only wish it had lived up to the expectation.

[Cassie Mcadams · Rating 1 out of 5]

I did not like this book whatsoever, and it maybe due to the fact that i'm 20 years old. My mom and I are the same ages as Hope and Olly. I know what she's dealing with in getting older, and it's nowhere near this eccentric. I would not recommend this book to anyone younger than 40. Mainly because if your unaware of how your body changes when you get older it'll scare the day lights outta you! also it's very very difficult to relate to her dramas throughout the book therefore making for a very bland read. I feel like if I waited and read this when I was older I would have enjoyed it a LOT more, but instead I found I had difficulty pushing through to get to the end. (I never give up on a book! It always has a chance of turning around.) I also really hated the ending. It left basically every question throughout the story unanswered. (which I particularly can NOT stand! I love my endings all tying up the story haha:)) Therefore I am rating this book with 1 star.

[Anita · Rating 2 out of 5]

Okay book - not great. Adding her opinion of former President Bush added nothing to the book, but I guess it gives her a platform for her opinion. The author lives in London so I will assume she is a British citizen? The last time I checked non-United States citizens don't get to vote in our elections, so I guess I don't really care about her opinion. I won't read anything else by Linda Kelsey.

[Tricia · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought this book was ok but it wasn't something that I would recommend to others. It is about a woman who turns 50 and then, through a series of events, loses everything that was important to her.

The main character annoyed me a bit and I felt like she really wasn't taking responsibility for her problems.

[Walter Van Praag · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh I say. I took a while to get into this book. I would have been really proud if I could write like this, but it is not a masterpiece. Neither is it meant to be I am sure. It feels like Linda the author gained a lot of writing experience along the way as the plot, characters and language all came together only after the halfway mark. Before that I was left a little confused about the storyline and characters, which may well be because I am over 50 myself and my mind is not what it used to be :(
Anyways, our main character Hope turns fifty and her life changes. Not because of her age, but because of other situations. However, finding a new career and meaning in life is a challenge at age 50+ as she discovers. Also at her age, when kids leave home, midlife crises hit you and your partner, and you question the meaning of life. You wonder if you should quickly start afresh with a new partner or stay with the 'evil' you know. Hope had a loving partner, not an evil one at all really, but after a few decades of marriage, kids and careers, sometimes it feels like a change is due before it is too late; midlife crisis. So persevere with the book, carry on, enjoy, and relate to Hope as she will relate to many of us 50+ folks out there. And yes, spoiler alert, there is a little Moroccan and a little Paris adventure as well!

[Sharon Dark · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’ve read a lot of BritChickLit. I’ve loved and laughed at a lot of BritChickLit. I didn’t find one thing funny about this book. I found it embarrassing and cringeworthy in parts, I found the character to be self-absorbed and narcissistic (is that redundant?). and she never truly discovers herself during her a-ha moment, it just seems like she finds a way to shift the blame to make her feel better about herself. If I ever acted the way she did I wouldn’t be surprised if my nearest and dearest abandoned me in droves as well. Oh, and btw, the reason I picked up this book in the first place is because I found it in a used bookshop in London on my 50th birthday trip, so I thought it was meant to be. Disappointed it wasn’t.

[Karla · Rating 1 out of 5]

Couldn't finish

[Carin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having been through a similar if now where near as bad year myself - this book had me laughing , crying & thinking. Thank goodness Hope pulls through - I think I will too :-)

[Gillian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Better than I anticipated. Covered some interesting relationship issues.

[Dorothy Briestansky · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fun book...really enjoyed it!

[Janina Abrahams · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good read especially for those of the same age. I wanted to know what decisions she made but I guess I kind of liked the open ending, the point being she had choices to make.

[Amanda Heapy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quite superficial but easy read and relatively entertaining..

[Jan Dryden · Rating 5 out of 5]

So funny!! So good that I read it twice 😁

[Kristy Orrock · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not my style. While I could relate to bits of the story I found it quite over the top as well.

[Diana · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed it. Working through what life throws at you.

[Ruth Welsh · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book.
I do however wonder if the author has ever had a puppy. How I wish ours would go hours without needing a wee, chewing up everything in sight and sit patiently whilst I read my emails. I can but dream.😂😂

[Rachel (Smelleykins) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Meet Hope, she's due to turn 50 on new years day and doesnt' like it one bit. 50 means she's a half a century, she's getting old and everything is changing, she can deal with that, slightly, if she ignores it. But at least she has her family, her devoted husband Jack, her typically moody eighteen year old son Olly and a successful job as editor of a magazine. Turning 50, she can ignore because everything around her is fine.

So what happens, when it's not? Suddenly turning 50 is the worse thing in the world, Hopes family falls apart and she's made redundant from her job in favour of someone younger and more fresher. Hope has no idea what to do. Not being in control is something Hope doesnt' know how to deal with. She's used to being busy, planning, and doing. Not sitting and waiting. Then her mother falls ill, her best friend falls out with her, can anything else go wrong?

This book is probably aimed more at those who are of the mature age, however as someone in their thirties i throughly enjoyed it. It had me laughing in places and cringing in others. I was with Hope all the way through the good times and the bad and the just plain crazy times.

I loved the change we see of Hope, from being compelety in control of her life and possibly everyones around her, to suddenly having no-one rely on her was a huge step. The fact Hope after mourning her loss decided to try things that weren't of her normal activites, made me smile, from going to Paris on her own, to the encounter there with the lovely but sleazy Dan, to trecking across moutians, Hope gave it her all.

It's not to say Hope was perfect or a warming character at first, no, she was a pain in the bottom. Everyone was expected to tend to her at times, she had to be the centre of attention and her rift with her mother wound me up. But it's typical life. It's what everyone goes through at times. And i think for Hope especially she had to learn the hard way to really truely appreicate what she had and who she had around her.

The ending was nice, although a little not what i was expecting. I think the author left it up to us to decide what we think happens between Hope and Jack in the end. But i think she's better off on her own now.

Overall a wonderful book. I'd recommend everyone to read but possibly the mature ones will understand it more.

[Stefanie Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

""

[Clare O'Beara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Set mainly in London, this account of a self-absorbed magazine editor who finds herself dumped and out of work for a year, will probably suit some people better than others.

If you have been in the character Hope's position - dislike your mother, don't appreciate your husband, your offspring is getting on your nerves but you can't bear to think of him backpacking, your last decade's work has been dismissed by a boss who replaced you with a gay editor who focuses on stain removal, keep falling out with your one friend, everyone else is too busy working to chat, nobody needs you, your face looks old, you're putting on weight - you'll identify so much that you'll be thrilled to read about Hope's year of living off her redundancy and considering sleeping with attractive strangers.

Otherwise, you'll be wondering if even the author realised how totally self-absorbed, petty-obsessed and selfish Hope has been and still is, you'll be fully supportive of the husband who leaves her and you'll think the best thing she does all year is get a Labrador pup and get in training for a charity walk in the Atlas Mountains.

I'd like this better if it were funnier. Marian Keyes has produced a funnier book about a magazine editor, Sushi For Beginners. Still, there is plenty going on and we see positive outcomes.

[Felicity Terry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Essentially what I guess could be described as chick-lit for the more mature reader. Fifty Is Not A Four Letter Word is a tale of transitions, of changing relationships. The story of Hope Lyndhurst-Steele, a character that I'm sure most of us will recognise if not exactly like (I know I didn't).

In many ways a very universal novel of a self-obsessed, high-flying, career-orientated, middle-aged woman who is only just beginning to realise just how her life choices have effected others and yet in other ways a very British novel that rather cleverly conveys the British psyche albeit in a somewhat cliched way.

Both totally what I was expecting and yet oddly enough not at all what I was expecting. Entirely predictable in how the story of Hope panned out, what I wasn't anticipating was the incredibly moving account of her relationship with her mother which for me made the novel what it was.

Any gripes? Apart from what seemed like the acceptance of all these extra-marital affairs, I really did find the use of coarse language totally unwarranted and not at all in keeping with the characters.

Copyright: Petty Witter @ Pen and Paper.

[Susan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ugh. I started skimming then skipping whole sections about halfway through. Sorry, but the character that cheats on the spouse repeatedly just doesn't entertain me. Oh, and why do novelists find it necessary to throw in disparaging comments about current non-fictional persons? Don't they know that a large portion of their (former) audience won't find it clever? I guess they don't want me and my ilk as a fan/customer. Anyway, the main character was a whiny drag, which I suppose was to be expected based on the title, but she never really comes out of it, no matter what. Well, I suppose you can assume she does after the ending, when the author cleverly (not) leaves you with a cliff hanger. If I cared about the character by that point, I might try imagining what she'd do. As it is, I'm just glad to return the book to the library.

[Catherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sacked from a glamorous, high-powered job on hitting fifty, it is not surprising that Hope ends up depressed, drifting and rather selfish. Then her husband walks out and we are left in familiar chick-lit territory where things have to go really wrong before they can go right. At least in this instance, the wise friends have life experience to give their advice some weight and the outcome is the more realistic sort where the heroine gets a second chance because she has learnt and grown rather than a happy ending as a result of a series of unlikely coincidences. Therefore, apart from the exact nature of some of her gripes, this is really not that different from many books about much younger women. I think that, plus the way that her wealth made the loss of her job into an identity rather than a survival crisis, meant that I felt it was an opportunity wasted.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hope is 50 and everything is going wrong. Her husband leaves her, she loses her job, her son is leaving,her mother is dying and her best friend is AWOL. This chronicles a year in her life. She's got a sense of humor as she pulls herself out of the mid-life crisis. There is an open ending. Maybe the author wrote a semi-autobiographical piece? It's a worthwhile read. A couple of things might have been more developed. I never got a sense of the husband. Also, why was the mom such a nasty witch? I think the magazine job seemed true to life.

[Marzena · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hey everyone, meet Hope. She turns fifty and her life turns to mess. What can come out of it? Quite a good book, actually.

Linda Kelsey not only made the main character not average, but she also made her real. How do you sort yourself out? Well, on your own terms and not in a month, obviously, and that's another reason I liked the book. Some writers love to rush things and there are times I think it's only because they want to squish as much as possible before they run out of ideas. This one's a gem when it comes to composing the book and it's truly a good read.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very quick read, but beware--it's full of British word usage, humor and colloquialisms, so I found myself lost on the message more often than I would have liked. It didn't ruin the overall story or experience, though, and I found a lot of truth in Hope's challenges of entering her 50s. Hope is a bit of a whiner, so I definitely didn't align myself with her on everything--in fact, she's very different from me--but I guess the comfort that comes with finding there are universal frustrations and advantages of being of a certain age appealed to me.

[Marisa · Rating 1 out of 5]

Library Request. Let me say that I don't appreciate some of these four star ratings books of this lack of quality are given, who are these people kidding, either they don't know a good read if it hit them in the face or they are just lying so others are duped into wasting their time reading this dribble as well.

I implore all of you to Stop lying and stop rating these terrible books with such great stars.