Not Invisible: The Aunties, Grannies, and Dowagers Gracing Pursuit of Jade

Yet More Reasons To Love This Cdrama, Plus Book Recs Showcasing Mature Women

One of the things that I love about Pursuit of Jade (see my long running list of favorite tropes and microtropes in PoJ here.) is the number of women possibly even over the age of 40 or even *gasp* menopausal women who have strong supporting roles in the show such as Mrs. Zhao, Madame Song (Song Yan’s mother), Granny Kang, Nanny Lan and the Empress Dowager.

Too often I feel like women over 40 are invisible in film and television, and Pursuit of Jade has such a rich and well-rounded cast.

Also shout out to this whole exchange on menstruation:

Here are Book Auntie’s recommendations:

Books & Stories Featuring Mature Women (40+) as Protagonists or Strong Supporting Cast

1. The Lady Astronaut of Mars (novelette) by Mary Robinette Kowal - 63-year-old Elma York, decades past her famous first Mars mission, must choose between one last spaceflight or staying with her dying husband. (Hugo Award winner, 2014.)

2. Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman - Aunts Frances and Jet Owens, eccentric and powerful, anchor the household magic.

3. The Correspondent by Virginia Evans - Sybil Van Antwerp, a septuagenarian retired lawyer, narrates her whole life through letters.

4. The Last Contract of Isako by Fonda Lee - A battle-worn corporate samurai in her 50s undertakes one last mission.

5. The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi by S. A. Chakraborty - One last job for this legendary pirate.

6. The Final Strife by Saara El-Arifi Anoor’s mother, the Warden of Strength, is a formidable older power player (antagonistic, but commanding).

7. The Seven Necessary Sins for Women and Girls by Mona Awad - A memorable cabal of older witchy women alongside the younger protagonist.

8. Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt - Tova, a 70-year-old widow, is the heart of the story alongside a perceptive octopus.

9. Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng - two powerful mothers (I actually have no idea how old they are) and so many secrets.

10. Homebound by Portia Elan - a Good Morning America pick, this book explores the lives of 3 women across centuries, one of them whom has spent decades at sea.

11. The Girl With Ten Thousand Faces by Sunyi Dean - despite the “girl” moniker, the protagonist Mercy Chan is 53 and confronting a ghost from her past that is even older.

12. The Inheritance by Ilona Andrews - Ten years ago, Adaline had a happy marriage and a job she loved. The invasion shattered both. Now she works for the government, searching the breaches for magic metals and medicine to help Earth repel an interdimensional enemy. Two kids, one cat, bills, benefits, mortgage and school tuition...Risking her life became routine.

And I would be remiss if I didn’t link Fonda Lee’s piece (gift link) in the NYT: In These Books You Don’t Have To Be Young To Save The World.

Do you have any you’d add to the list? Please share in the comments!