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The Time of their Lives
Haven't you heard? Sixty is the new forty . . . Each month best friends Claudia, Sal, Ella and Laura meet for drinks, celebrating 45 years of friendship. They know each other and their lives inside out. Their ambitions, careers, husbands, lovers, children, hopes, fears, the paths taken and not taken . . .Sal had spent a lifetime building a career as a successful magazine editor but she hadn't banked on the one thing over which she had no control.Claudia loved her urban existence - the thought of the country sent shivers down her spine. But, as many women will know, other people's needs always seem to come first . . .Ella is ready to try something different. But she hadn't bargained on quite such a radical change . . .Laura succumbed to the oldest cliché in the book. But it didn't make it any easier to accept.Outside of the supportive world of their friendships, they find their lives are far from what they expected - the generation that wanted to change the world didn't bargain on getting old.A truthful, provocative, funny and inspiring novel, The Time of their Lives, asks hard questions about what the world offers women as they get older and finds both moving and joyously uplifting answers in the different ways the four friends celebrate their coming of age . . .
448 pages, Paperback
First published June 19, 2014
29 people are currently reading
238 people want to read
About the author
Maeve Haran
34 books68 followersMaeve Haran is an Oxford Law graduate who worked in journalism and television before writing her first novel, Having It All, a worldwide bestseller translated into 26 languages and shortlisted for
the Romantic Novel of the Year. She wrote twelve more contemporary novels, one work of non-fiction, and two historical novels.
Her new book In the Summertime is due out on June 8.
She has grown-up three children and lives in North London.
the Romantic Novel of the Year. She wrote twelve more contemporary novels, one work of non-fiction, and two historical novels.
Her new book In the Summertime is due out on June 8.
She has grown-up three children and lives in North London.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
July 21, 2014
Haven't you heard? Sixty is the new forty
Claudia, Sal, Ella and Laura are all now sixty. The four had been friends since their first day at university and now get together each month for drinks to celebrate 45-years of friendship.
Claudia had dedicated her profession to teaching french practically since they left university. Claudia now gets the feeling that she don't want to work forever as she now feels that she is out of tune with the technology, now a younger teacher gets her favourite year group to learn slang on you tube.
Sal gives every appearance of being the career woman working as a magazine editor with freebies to exotic spas and the London fashion week.
Ella loved both of her daughters and her grandchildren, she liked to give them money. She even gave them a sum of money to help them buy their own home.
Laura was filling in her diary when she remembered their anniversary was fast approaching.
It is not about counting the years that matters, it is what you do with them that counts.
Review by ireadnovels.wordpress.com
Claudia, Sal, Ella and Laura are all now sixty. The four had been friends since their first day at university and now get together each month for drinks to celebrate 45-years of friendship.
Claudia had dedicated her profession to teaching french practically since they left university. Claudia now gets the feeling that she don't want to work forever as she now feels that she is out of tune with the technology, now a younger teacher gets her favourite year group to learn slang on you tube.
Sal gives every appearance of being the career woman working as a magazine editor with freebies to exotic spas and the London fashion week.
Ella loved both of her daughters and her grandchildren, she liked to give them money. She even gave them a sum of money to help them buy their own home.
Laura was filling in her diary when she remembered their anniversary was fast approaching.
It is not about counting the years that matters, it is what you do with them that counts.
Review by ireadnovels.wordpress.com
January 3, 2015
I read this as I'm the same age as the four main characters and thought a book about early 60s women would be interesting. I was sadly disappointed. The plot is simply a working through of every cliché possible about women of a certain age - and most of the things that happen are just ludicrous. Too many other characters, such as the cheating husband, are just cardboard caricatures and don't ring true. Plus the author doesn't seem to realise that a woman turning 63 in 2014 will already have qualified for her state pension. I did find it funny at times, though, but not for the reasons the author intended!
January 7, 2015
A modern take on the realities of reaching 'a certain age' as told by a group of firm friends. It tackles the way different people handle getting older and how they are perceived by those around them, as well as the joys that age old friendships bring. A heady mix of tea, gin and told you so's.
There's some hilarious quips, more than a handful of 'senior moments' and plenty of occasions where you'll nod your head with knowing.
My personal circumstances made this book all the more poignant and I was glad I had tissues to hand -The book, in essence, however, is a lovely light-hearted take on age and friendship and an enjoyable one at that.
I know of a handful of my friends that would love this book ... if only I could remember where I put it!
There's some hilarious quips, more than a handful of 'senior moments' and plenty of occasions where you'll nod your head with knowing.
My personal circumstances made this book all the more poignant and I was glad I had tissues to hand -The book, in essence, however, is a lovely light-hearted take on age and friendship and an enjoyable one at that.
I know of a handful of my friends that would love this book ... if only I could remember where I put it!
June 30, 2015
I picked this book up in a charity shop and thought it would be fun to read having recently "retired" at 52. I liked the main characters and could relate to some aspects of their lives but wanted a bit more from the other characters featured in the book as I often found them unconvincing.
October 1, 2017
A pleasant read, but I honestly doubt anyone under 50 would really enjoy / understand it. A gang of four friends in their early sixties and their problems - marriage, infidelity, old age, losing work when you're 60 and trying to find a new one... Pleasant read for autumn evenings.
August 27, 2014
Drivel. Neither entertaining nor enjoyable.
May 14, 2019
more suited to my Nan. I didn’t see the need for 2000000 characters and it ended so abruptly after the longest buildup! Not for me
February 14, 2018
I’ve enjoyed all of this author’s books. Compared to the others, this was maybe a tad improbable – would all of these significant events really happen to the same group of friends? Having said that, the characters were all well-drawn and I did find myself rooting for them – once I worked out who was who. There did seem to be a cast of thousands. It may be a cliché but I was particularly drawn to the Polish lodger and kept expecting something to happen.
July 9, 2021
Very entertaining story of 4 friends of 40 years who met regularly.
Their lives were not what they expected. Each one had had to deal with changing situations in their family.
Unmarried Sal building her career and then getting cancer.
Claudia who lived in town and then moved to the country with her husband, looking after her elderly parents.
Ela a widow, who retired and had to try radical changes.
Laura, whose husband left for a younger woman, She was left to look after her children.
Their lives were not what they expected. Each one had had to deal with changing situations in their family.
Unmarried Sal building her career and then getting cancer.
Claudia who lived in town and then moved to the country with her husband, looking after her elderly parents.
Ela a widow, who retired and had to try radical changes.
Laura, whose husband left for a younger woman, She was left to look after her children.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 11, 2018
An incredible and amazing book. My first time reading a book by this author and I loved it. A very practical book about old age....a phase of life that everyone has to go through. And a book of friendship and family. I enjoyed reading this book. But I think the story can be shortened a little bit....too long.
July 12, 2020
Asi jsem se nechala ovlivnit obálkou, čekala jsem, že to je příběh žen kolem čtyřicítky (protože ty ženy na obálce teda na 60 fakt nevypadají). Nejenže to absolutně není moje věková skupina a ještě dlouho nebude, takže jsem se do postav nemohla vcítit, ale podle názvu Báječné časy jsem čekala nějaké... dobrodružství? Ale tady se vlastně nic zvláštního nestalo, takže velké zklamání.
September 1, 2021
Moim zdaniem zakończenie mocno wymuszone. Historia skończyła się nijak, a pytania, które moim zdaniem powinny znaleźć w ostatnich rozdziałach odpowiedzi, zawisły w powietrzu i tak sobie tam wiszą :/ Ogólnie pomysł bardzo fajny, czyta się niezwykle przyjemnie, a jak wciągnie to nawet się nie zauważa tych stron, które lecą. Fajnie spojrzeć na to pokolenie z zupełnie innego punktu widzenia.
October 3, 2021
This was a new author to me and her style of writing was easy and uplifting to get on with....it was a meaty book over 500 pages but everyone relative and needed for the story to travel along nicely
I really got in the story and enjoyed the characters and how they evolved. Its definitely a read for us that were not born yesterday...🤣🤣
I really got in the story and enjoyed the characters and how they evolved. Its definitely a read for us that were not born yesterday...🤣🤣
August 22, 2017
I picked this book up at a "leave one, take one" library at a Montreal hotel and it became my companion during 10 days of solo travel. Each of the characters is likable and has special journey that is resolved by the end of the book. Bonus: I picked up some British terms and slang!
May 30, 2018
I enjoyed this highly readable book. The story of four friends from University in their later years and the issues older women and men have to cope with. Ageism in the workplace, ageing parents and troubled teens, marriages ending, health issues and widowhood.
May 29, 2017
A well thought through tale interweaving the lives of 4 women reaching their mid sixties. Well written, good structure and engaging story.
August 6, 2017
Good easy reading, appealing perhaps to the same sort of age group.
January 22, 2019
Super about 4 friends Claudia Sal Ella and Laura
March 8, 2020
It took me a couple of chapters to remember who was who,but them I thoroughly enjoyed the ups and downs of the friends lives.
January 11, 2022
A really feel good read.
December 1, 2023
Nice story about 4 women who have been friends for 40 years. They have lots of ups and downs but their friendship gets them through all the problems life throws at them.
March 22, 2017
Just perfect!
March 2, 2017
My favorite part? When she explains what Craft means..Can't remember a fuckin thing! As I'm mid way through my 50's this was an easy book to relate to, even though it was set in England!
March 11, 2016
Being about the same age as the women in the book , I recognised a lot of what they were going through. If sixty is the new forty , why do you not have as much energy, why do you have these grey haired moments that you didn't have at forty.? The women suddenly realise that their children are grown ups , perhaps with their own children, and you now support them but are not responsible for their actions. They see their parents become ill, old or even dying and wonder if this is the fate that lies in wait for them. Now they prefer a cuppa and a good film on the telly to a riotous boozy night out and relationships with husbands are strained if not at the point of divorce . On that subject is it so hard to come to terms with the modern generation rejecting marriage and living as partners? Do you decide to have an affaire in your mid sixties , remain faithful to your not so loving husband or go it alone . Do you regret being so obsessed with your carrier that mid sixties or as in the book a case of Brest cancer, wish that you had made time for love and had someone to share life's ups and downs with. Becoming a grandparent , are you ready for that ? Was it the greatest thing to happen to you or made you feel so old that if you excepted the title somehow you would suddenly be senile over night? All these things suddenly come into your life when you pass sixty but the women in the book had such a close friendship that they supported each other through cancer , divorce, parents illness, daughters pregnancy and all things Inbetween . That for me stopped it being a depressing book . I wonder if friendship groups really do survive like that in the real world? I'd like to think they do.
February 11, 2015
I enjoyed Maeve's story about four sixty-something upper middle class women. It portrays, for me, (an aging woman who enjoys shopping in Zara and H&M) a much more modern view of what it is to be sixty. What a life may be like for an older woman dependent upon all the choices she made in the past and how it might feel in today's era to be over sixty.
However, complex this book aint! But I wasn't looking for that. And anyway, isn't life, in the real lane a bit hum drum by default? "Life was not grand and dramatic, it was small and ordinary, predictable and repetitive. People got married. They fell out of love, they were unfaithful, they got divorced" This is a superb holiday read for any woman fifty and above. It's not without some food for thought and in the end it is a very feel good narrative albeit bitter sweet "Soon we'll be old and ill. If we're ever going to be happy it had better be bloody now".
Relationships figure quite large and the difficulty of them, especially as society seems to accept older men running off with younger women, for women sixty and above is considered in this book.
"How easy it was for things to fall apart if all you did was stop making the effort to keep them together"
I do think that we need a new name for the period in our lives named retirement... "She's always said retiring was something you did before you went to bed. not with the rest of your life". Here, here!
First on the list... become social media savvy!
However, complex this book aint! But I wasn't looking for that. And anyway, isn't life, in the real lane a bit hum drum by default? "Life was not grand and dramatic, it was small and ordinary, predictable and repetitive. People got married. They fell out of love, they were unfaithful, they got divorced" This is a superb holiday read for any woman fifty and above. It's not without some food for thought and in the end it is a very feel good narrative albeit bitter sweet "Soon we'll be old and ill. If we're ever going to be happy it had better be bloody now".
Relationships figure quite large and the difficulty of them, especially as society seems to accept older men running off with younger women, for women sixty and above is considered in this book.
"How easy it was for things to fall apart if all you did was stop making the effort to keep them together"
I do think that we need a new name for the period in our lives named retirement... "She's always said retiring was something you did before you went to bed. not with the rest of your life". Here, here!
First on the list... become social media savvy!
September 29, 2015
Just finished reading this amazing novel. For some might find it quite average, it was a real spirit-lifting experience for me. The four 60 year old friends, are facing the challenges of their lives in very different circumstances. Each character is an institution in itself. You might learn being a good parent and daughter from one, while learning how to deal with a broken marriage from the other. While one is living alone because she never got married after a bad relationship, yet the other is lonely because of the demise of the beloved spouse. The language used is simple and can be related easily. Overall, its a good, light read!!
September 24, 2015
A gripping story, different characters grip you at different parts. It was a very easy read and given the material covered quite a light and positive story. I enjoyed the details in the descriptions of encounters and Maeve Haran has not lost any skill with time. I enjoyed also the ease of transition between the stories each was telling. I recommend this book wholeheartedly and have already given my copy away.
October 22, 2014
I really enjoyed this book. As a woman of 60 it resonated with my and my friends life experiences. it is entertaining and the women live rather privileged, comfortable lives. But, I found the perspective (which was retrospective!) of time over 40 years interesting and easy to relate to. I also enjoyed the fact that these women continue to look forward . I would recommend this book.
February 14, 2015
At first I wasn't sure why I'd picked up this book. I was thinking "hang on a minute, I'm only 41, why am I reading this? It's clearly aimed at older ladies. But I carried on and I'm glad I did, it was a fun read. If the characters hadn't of kept on referring to their age I'd have forgotten they were in their 60s.
March 30, 2016
Nachdem mir die letzten zwei Bücher von MAeve Haran nicht so gefallen haben, hat dieses mich wieder fesseln können. Es geht auf eine sehr ehrliche, aber auch sehr humoristische Art mit dem Thema Alter und Frauen um, beschreibt vier wunderbare Freundinnen und ihre Alltagsprobleme bestens. Unterhaltsame, fröhliche Lektüre, die aber dennoch zum Nachdenken anregt.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews