Grumpy Old Women

by Judith Holder

We all know what it means these days to be a "grumpy old man," because part of that role is to be outspoken. Well, we've heard just about enough out of the men, thank you very much. "Grumpy Old Women" gives us the other perspective - the female take - on the million irritations of today's world. So what's the difference? Surely what is irritating to the mature members of one sex is equally annoying to the other? Not necessarily, and this is precisely what "Grumpy Old Women" seeks to address. Body image, visitors, children, animals, shopping, careers, parties, holidays - and yes, grumpy old men themselves - all are very much on the list of what today's mature woman finds...a source of concern.

From the series producer and stand-up comic Judith Holder, the book will also incorporate material from the new series "Grumpy Old Women", which features a diverse, colourful and very grumpy group of celebrities, including Janet Street Porter, Jenny Eclair, Ann Widdecombe, Germaine Greer, Kathryn Flett and Jilly Cooper. Written with wit, style and sympathy, the book is sure to be a source of both amusement and comfort to women everywhere - grumpy, old or otherwise.

Genres: Humor, Nonfiction, Comedy, Womens

208 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

Reviews

[Nat K · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was a palate cleanser. Something to read "between books" (kind or like a sorbet between eating mammoth courses of food).

Some of this book was laugh-out-loud. The silly, little, niggling things that get under our skin. Things that we probably wouldn't notice when younger, but once of certain age (IE: "mature") annoy the hell out of us!

It was a light read. Overall the tone got a bit whiny. Yes, you're annoyed, get over it! The TV series was more enjoyable.

2.5★s

[S.C. Skillman · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you want to shake with laughter whilst reading a book in a public place, read this one. I found this book almost painfully funny. Early on I thought to myself, 'This is a book by a Controlling Woman with humour and insight'.

To be a Controlling Woman is one of those roles in life which - for those who occupy it - is compulsive, and yet ultimately doomed, and even tragic (cue an excellent subject for a contemporary novel). Judith Holder summarises it all perfectly. Even in those parts of the book where I didn't identify with the behaviour - having long given up trying to be perfect, and in many instances, I never even started trying - I recognised it and laughed at it. I particularly liked Judith Holder on the subject of A Perfect Christmas. Because, of course, as a Controlling Woman, the Christmas you organise must be Perfect, or it cannot possibly be Happy. Chief among the culprits in perpetuating this cruel myth are Delia and Nigella.

As Judith described the Christmas insanity which grips many women, I found myself thinking, 'When is she going to get on to Jane Asher?' And sure enough, later on, she did. Also extremely funny were Judith's thoughts on the BBC Radio 4 Today Programme, and her opinions on the way John Humphreys and James Naughtie interview politicians. Finally, I found myself hoping that Judith was going to devote a couple of pages to Supermarket Self Service Check-Outs. But I think this book was published before they were invented.

Glorious reading if you're in the mood to laugh at the sheer folly of our modern society!

[Nicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's not necessary to read this if you saw the series, most of it is rehashing. But it is funny.
I laughed a lot.

[Eva Wierzuchowska · Rating 2 out of 5]

A Dated Grump.

Unfortunately, most of the 'topical subjects', lined up for attack were mostly well past their sell by date.; yesterday's angst, tired cliches from times forgotten, and no longer interesting or relevant. Generally a rather depressing read, with very few redeeming features to cheer the soul or gladden the heart. Only the rich and privileged can make complaining an art form. Some cleaning lady from Stepney with five kids and an alcoholic unemployed abusive partner would rather die than air her 'real' reasons to kick and scream against the treadmill system. There seems to be a race amongst middle aged celebrities lately to bemoan the ageing process by either cosmetic surgery or writing memoirs of their ungrumpy moments which sadly degenerate into one big moan. All the anecdotes are similar and tedious and have been repeated ad infinitum by other high profile people.

[grace saint · Rating 3 out of 5]

Found this in a charity shop and am obsessed with the older and wider podcast so thought it would be similar and I know Judith is the ‘nastier’ and ‘entitled’ one but Jesus Christ this is like a historical artefact of how evil middle aged white women were in the 00s and thought it was a funny personality trait, very textbook middle aged/old WW ‘I’m insecure so I’m going to wish death upon you’. Not an enjoyable read but definitely interesting and a great reminder that boomers will be boomers

[Olivia Meads · Rating 1 out of 5]

I think I'm 40 years too young for this, didn't find it funny

[Lynne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Three stars overall, but the ‘Animals’ section of Chapter 9 deserves at least 4 stars. I laughed till I cried!

[Annette Summerfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

This isn't a book I would have picked up and bought, a friend sent it to me. It's cute. Warning...don't read before bed..lol..you'll start thinking about things that has happened in your life, relating to something she has said and off goes the thinking as you start going over your own past events.
It's a cute book. Sure, I don't feel I'm a grumpy old woman and some of the things that bothered her doesn't bother me...but there are a lot of things that I can relate to in some way or other.
It was cute.

[Sarahanne · Rating 1 out of 5]

Like Erma Bombeck but without the humor. I kept thinking the whiny, stereotypical prologue was setting the stage for a story or essays. Then I realized that it wasn't a prologue... it just kept going like that. There is poking fun at your situation, then there is caustically bashing generations of women. Meh. Not for me.

[Tanis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was much funnier than I expected it to be, I read the Grumpy Old Men book last year and that was dreadful. This one though actually made me laugh aloud on the train a few times.

I really like Germaine Greer and Jenny Éclair so theirs were the bits that I liked the most. I left it behind in a fantastic café called Riccos in Walthamstow when I'd finished it.

[Paula Croskell · Rating 3 out of 5]

I borrowed this book from my mum as I enjoyed the tv series but didn't think the book was as good as the tv series. I thought that the last chapter in the book was the best. Although some things in it did make me smile as I could relate to them.

[Hazel · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've enjoyed Grumpy Old Men and Grumpy Old Women on tv. The litany of misanthropic musings is fun for short periods. This book was less amusing, but not bad.

[Sally906 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Preferred the tv series to the book - I am certainly a grumpy old woman

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you've seen the TV show, you don't need to read the book.

[Dymphie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Flauw

[Mary Snaddon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think I read this years ago. Found it slightly out-dated, but I suppose what ever makes you grumpy makes you grumpy regardless of the date.

[Debbie Southwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I could relate to parts of this book so well. It was an easy read and was pretty humourous.