I do bang on a bit (yes, honestly, I do!) about the relatively small number of books that focus on the lives, realities and concerns of the older reader. And every time I do, someone says “have you read Thursdays in the Park?”. I have no idea why it’s taken me so long, but yes, I finally have – and I really enjoyed it. It’s five years since this lovely book was originally published, and it became a #1 Kindle bestseller (at one point overtaking Fifty Shades of Grey) with over half a million copies sold in ebook as well as over 60,000 paperbacks.
Quercus Books are publishing a special 5th anniversary paperback edition on Thursday (6th October, £7.99), complete with a lovely new cover, reading group questions and the first chapter of Hilary’s new book, The Lavender House. And, if you hadn’t heard, Thursdays in the Park has been optioned by screenwriter, director and actor Charles Dance with shooting scheduled to begin early next year. I’m really delighted to be publishing my review as part of the blog tour.
Jeanie has been married for thirty years, but her husband George has become so cold and distant she may as well be alone. Surely, at just sixty, a loveless marriage can’t be the only thing left on the horizon? Then, one Thursday in autumn, Jeanie meets Ray in the park, and a chance meeting blossoms into a friendship.
They talk, laugh, share hopes and secrets and heartbreaks. They offer each other a second chance at life and love. But will they have the courage to take it?
My review
Let’s face it, we’ve all been there, haven’t we? (Or is it just me?!) Putting up with the not quite good enough, but lacking the impetus to do anything about it. That’s where Jeanie finds herself at the start of the story – in a marriage with a man who certainly has his own issues, undoubtedly loves her in his own way (and it’s a love that’s largely reciprocated) but who totally disregards her opinions and wishes on everything, even something as momentous as a total life change by moving to the country. Her daughter also thinks she can control her, and her obnoxious son-in-law is just a user. Her daily escape is the health food store she owns and runs, and her only other joy the time she spends with granddaughter Ellie on a Thursday afternoon and her tennis sessions with her supportive best friend. When she meets Ray and his grandson Dylan in the park, it might just give her the courage she needs to do something about her life. Instead of existing only as a grandmother, mother and wife, maybe she has an opportunity to become her own person again.
I know that not all reviewers have agreed – perhaps it depends on your personal perspective – but I thought the story was beautiful, and so well told. There’s a gentle humour throughout, and although the basic story is quite a simple one – with just a few added complications at times – the acute observation of people’s behaviour made it quite enchanting. The “love in later life” was well handled – Ray is gorgeous – and the whole book (which I read almost in a single sitting) filled with warmth and simply lovely in every way. The only little thing that jarred slightly at first was granddaughter Ellie’s “baby-speak’ – but the longer I lived with the characters, it seemed right, and I stopped noticing it. I’d thoroughly recommend this book to anyone of a similar age – in fact, I’d recommend it to younger readers too, as a reminder that being over 50 doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have a chance at love and living again. I look forward to reading more from Hilary Boyd – and I still have absolutely no idea why it took me five years to discover her lovely book.
My thanks to Alainna at Quercus Books for including me in the tour and forwarding the new paperback edition: I read my original kindle copy, which I purchased four years ago and then left languishing, unread.
About the author
Hilary Boyd trained as a nurse at Great Ormond Street Hospital, then as a marriage guidance counsellor. After a degree in English Literature at London University in her thirties, she moved into health journalism, writing a Mind, Body, Spirit column for the Daily Express. She published six non-fiction books on health-related subjects before turning to fiction and writing a string of bestsellers, starting with Thursdays in the Park. Hilary is married to film director/producer Don Boyd.
Not only has this been sitting on my Kindle for 3 years, but I also recently won a copy of the new paperback edition. I think that’s the book fairies way of saying read it woman! ☺
Glad to hear I’m not the only one! Now eager to read her other books…?
I keep looking longingly at my copy but I HAVE to read some others first!
Definitely one for you, Linda (I say that every time, don’t I?!) – and no ponytails…
Ah – I got married for the 3rd time at 51, and one of my closest friends has just started a new relationship aged 60. It’s scarcely occurred to either of us (or several other friends of similar age, half of whom are grandmothers) that we’re ‘in later life’, which is perhaps WHY we still have love lives! I know it’s a cliche, but I really do think 55 is the new 40 – oh, sorry, digressing – now, the book!!! This does interest me but the very fact that it makes an issue of the fact that she’s over 50 and it’s a big ‘thing’ that she’s found love at her age puts me off!!! Many women over 50 these days do so much more than play with their grandchildren and sell/make/eat cakes.
On the other hand, that ‘stuck in a boring/unsatisfactory relationship’ is always interesting to read about, so I’ll stick this on the to-read list – thank you!
I’m 60, Terry – and never think of myself as in “later life” either! But I do tire of reading so many books where the main characters are in their 20s, and this book was such a refreshing change. The “finding love at over 50” thing is really well done, but I think it’s more about claiming your life back and learning that sometimes you deserve more than limping off into the sunset and putting up with your lot. If you read it, i do hope you enjoy it – and thanks for your comment!
I’m starting to find I’m not as interested in the love lives of twenty-somethings either anymore!
I had been meaning to read Hilary Boyd’s books too, and like you, finally got round to it this year. Over the last few months I have read Thursdays in the Park, A Most Desirable Marriage and The Lavender House – and really enjoyed them.
I agree when you say there is not enough books focusing on the lives of the older reader.
Nice review, Anne, I think you will enjoy Hilary’s other books too.
Your new blog looks great.
Thanks for the compliment Caroline – and I’m very much looking forward to discovering Hilary’s other books. The Lavender House is out in PB in February 2017, and I’ll definitely be reading and reviewing that one around publication time…
I am the same, I’ve had this book for so long I can’t even remember where it is. Definitely going to dig it out. Great review as always Anne. X
I really enjoyed this book. Tangled Lives is very good too. So is You Walked Back Into My Life. I think I must be quite a fan!
I love the look of this, and the title is so gentle, sounds an excellent read. On the age thing … I’m always shocked if anyone puts me in the ‘later life’ bracket (which I guess is where I belong) but don’t we all meet people in their thirties who are ancient and others in their eighties who are full of vim?
Absolutely, Adrienne – age most definitely only a number! x