An uplifting, inspiring book about the wisdom of older women - and what we can learn from them to rewrite the story of the second half of our lives.

'I want to hear the wisdom from women about where we really live, deep in our hearts ... I want to hear the wisdom about our invisibility, our imaginations, our traumas, our joys, our changing roles, our loves and our death. How do we age in this body so that we can launch full tilt to the sky even as it wrinkles and slows and stiffens and breaks? It's my intention with this book to work out how to age with the requisite love and rebellion that it surely requires. Hopefully, with the right kind of revolution, we can set the course for generations to come.'

A Wisdom of Age was sparked by the many conversations Jacinta Parsons has had recently with older women right around the country about the experience of being a woman and ageing. Over the course of these encounters, it became clear to Jacinta that the conversation about ageing for women is alive and bubbling with a kind of excitement - that is, women are ready to do ageing differently.

For this book, Jacinta mines wisdom directly from those who know how to do it well, those older women who say, This is what feels good.

Capturing the brewing tone of revolution that sits in the hearts of middle-aged and older women, A Wisdom of Age tells a different story about ageing - a story about reclaiming the fierce girl we have inside us; about an unapologetic taking up of space; about speaking out and re-finding our confidence; and finally, about wisdom.

PRAISE FOR A WISDOM OF AGE

'I know her deep wisdom and compassion as a friend; as a reader's companion her work is a gift.' Virginia Trioli

'This beautifully written book had me laughing, crying and at the end, utterly transformed. It has changed my perspective on ageing and inspired me to live and think about it in a completely different way. Adored it!' Myf Warhurst

'Jacinta's elders infuse us with defiance and optimism, love and courage. These aren't just lessons.. they've given us a ladder to keep climbing in strength and singing out to all the women coming up behind us. Old age? Bring. it. On!' Lisa Millar

'Oh thank God. A book about ageing that isn't about avoiding it. Full of real wisdom, beautifully expressed.' Holly Wainwright

Details

ISBN13: 9780733343513
Format: Paperback / softback
Number of Pages: 288
Edition:
Publication Date: 04 Jun 2025
Publisher: ABC Books
Publication City, Country: New South Wales, Australia
Dimensions (cm): 23.5(H)x15.5(L)x2.4(W)358
Weight (gm): 358

Author Biography

Jacinta Parsons is a broadcaster, radio maker, writer, and public speaker. She currently co-hosts The Friday Revue with Brian Nankervis on ABC Melbourne. She has written a memoir, Unseen (Affirm Press 2020) and A Question of Age (Harper Collins/ABC Books 2022). She is a sought after public speaker and facilitator with over 15 years of hosting live events. Jacinta has lived with Crohn's disease for over 20 years and is an ambassador for the Crohn's and Colitis Association and speaks and writes about the impact of living with chronic illness. Her latest book is A Wisdom of Age (HarperCollins/ABC Books 2025).

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