A Wisdom Of Age: An uplifting and inspiring book about the wisdom of older women, from the bestselling author of A Question of Age

by Jacinta Parsons

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

'How to defy the negative stereotypes? How to age with joy, grace and courage? How to celebrate the wisdom that accumulated years bestow? This stirring book is a reminder that the getting of wisdom is a lifelong project.' Sydney Morning Herald

'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

Genres: Nonfiction, Ebooks, Audiobook

229 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 4, 2025

About the author

Jacinta Parsons is a broadcaster, radio maker, writer, and public speaker. She currently hosts Afternoons on ABC Melbourne delivering a popular mix of art, culture and ideas. She began her radio-life at community radio station 3RRR over a decade ago, where she hosted several shows including Breakfasters and Detour. But her peak Melbourne moment came earlier, when she worked as a tram conductor (proudly wearing one of the last of the Connie’s green uniforms).

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. She is also an active member of the arts & music community and is a board member for Melbourne disability theatre company, Rollercoaster. Unseen is her first book.

Reviews

[Jaclyn]

Parsons’s boundless curiosity continues on the questions and representation of ageing. She interviews a range of women and captures their reflections on wisdom with the benefit of years under their belts. It’s beautiful to read such a positive perspective on ageing and being an older woman.

[EmG ReadsDaily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully insightful and wise!

[Daleene · Rating 5 out of 5]

a beautiful book.

[Debbie Hailes · Rating 2 out of 5]

It would have been nicer to hear more about the individual stories than her perception of self help. Was a bit disappointed in her view of dementia and how it would be easier if we all leaned into it or something to that effect. I wonder how many carers reading that section would like to set the book on fire.

[Tamara Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars for girl power!

What a powerful read!!
Hearing true stories of women of a certain age, was heart warming , inspiring and just uplifting.
I cried, I laughed and I found myself really being able to relate to the stories the women were telling.
I came out of this feeling so proud of myself and the women around me, because we are wonderful and powerful and can do anything
Huge thanks to Jacinta Parsons for making this book happen

[Judith · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the premise of sharing collected wisdom of older women and it was great to hear from a number of indigenous women sharing their stories. However I found that it irritated me that Jacinta Parsons felt that she had to validate the content of each interview with her experience ( from her 50 years) and that her story was the one to prevail every time.

[Virginia · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 ⭐️ I enjoyed this quick and easy read. I loved the way it was curious and encouraged curiosity. I also loved that it explored our current cultural attitudes towards age and women in general and how they need to change in Western culture in particular.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was beautiful, sad, and so very well written. It made me laugh and cry.

[Brooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book cathartic and inspiring.

[Chase · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a woman who is not as young as I used to be this was interesting, but it felt a bit superficial.

[Flip · Rating 1 out of 5]

Lost interests stopped reading