Description
“I returned to the same respiratory therapist for my annual checkup. I told her that her words to me, ‘You look good for your age,’ had inspired a book. ‘Wow!’ she said. ‘You wrote a whole book about that?’ ‘Twenty-nine kick-ass writers wrote it,’ I said. She gave me a thumbs up.” From the Preface
This is a book about women and ageism. There are twenty-nine contributing writers, ranging in age from their forties to their nineties. Through essays, short stories, and poetry, they share their distinct opinions, impressions, and speculations on aging and ageism and their own growth as people. In these thoughtful, fierce, and funny works, the writers show their belief in women and the aging process.
Contributors: Rona Altrows, Debbie Bateman, Moni Brar, Maureen Bush, Sharon Butala, Jane Cawthorne, Joan Crate, Dora Dueck, Cecelia Frey, Ariel Gordon, Elizabeth Greene, Vivian Hansen, Joyce Harries, Elizabeth Haynes, Paula E. Kirman, Joy Kogawa, Laurie MacFayden, JoAnn McCaig, Wendy McGrath, E.D. Morin, Lisa Murphy Lamb, Lorri Neilsen Glenn, Olyn Ozbick, Roberta Rees, Julie Sedivy, Madelaine Shaw-Wong, Anne Sorbie, Aritha van Herk, Laura Wershler
Reviews
"This is a brilliant collection of women's writing about aging, some of which shows reluctant acceptance, some of which shows reinvention of oneself." Annie Wesko, Freefall Magazine, Spring 2020
#5 on Calgary Herald Fiction Bestsellers list, July 3, 2021
# 8 on Alberta Bestsellers list, June 6, 2021
"This is a brilliant collection of women’s writing about aging, some of which shows reluctant acceptance, some of which shows reinvention of oneself."
- Annie Wesko
#9 on Edmonton Non-Fiction Bestsellers list, August 15, 2021
#10 on the Alberta Non-Fiction Bestsellers list, June 27, 2021
Although unified in subject, the style, tone, and mood of each piece varies widely, combining to create a poignant patchwork of protest and peace-making, of lamentable losses and celebratory gains.... In addition to these writers’ grief, rage, and resignation, there is also joy, peace, and anticipation regarding the years to come." Melanie Power, Canadian Literature, June 2022 [Full review at https://canlit.ca/article/agents-against-their-erasure]
# 2 on Calgary Herald Bestsellers list, June 12, 2021
# 9 on Calgary Herald Bestsellers list, June 20, 2021
“Altrows reached out to 29 writers identifying as women in their middle to advanced age, a call that resulted in this engaging collection of fiction, non-fiction and poetry… There is much to be savoured here. Buy the book.” Jannie Edwards, Alberta Views Magazine, November 1, 2021 [Full review at https://albertaviews.ca/look-good-age-anthology/]
"Altrows stated that her wish for young readers is that through this anthology, they will get a sense of what it is like to be in the mind and body of an older woman.... By sharing pieces from women who have had first hand experience with aging, readers are able to better understand the effects of the ageist ideals our society upholds." Megan Gervais, The Gateway, November 23, 2021 [Article at https://thegatewayonline.ca/2021/11/you-look-good-for-your-age-challenging-ageism-through-writing-the-gateway]
# 1 on Calgary Herald Bestsellers list, June 5, 2021
#7 on the Edmonton Non-Fiction Bestsellers list, June 27, 2021
# 9 on Alberta Bestsellers list, May 30, 2021
#10 on Edmonton Non-Fiction Bestsellers list, July 11, 2021