People born between 1945 and 1960 have taken a pummeling lately. Even the youngest Boomers turn 60 this year, and that’s considered over-the-hill (or worse, invisible) by some.  Many writers, however, take a different view. They create characters who have the age and wisdom and life experiences to get through whatever the plotline throws at them. Here are some examples.

  Southern author Clyde Edgerton’s Mattie Rigsbee in “Walking Across Egypt” immediately comes to mind. Most of us probably grew up with plucky country widows like her. At age 78, she admits she might be “slowing down,” but ultimately finds that you’re never too old to take on new experiences, like a stray dog or a teenage delinquent. A short, funny, and touching read.

  You’ve heard me praise Elizabeth Berg to the skies before. Two of her books, “The Story of Arthur Truluv” and “Night of Miracles,” are wonderful testaments to the blessings of old age. Set in the small town of Mason, Missouri, they bring together elements of neighborliness, cooking, generational bonding, romance, hard choices, and tragedy. I can’t say enough good things about them, but I will say one good thing:  Berg can tell a tenderhearted story without it turning sappy. Just out in 2019 is her third book set in the same town, called “The Confession Club.” Though not a sequel in the traditional sense, it does revisit some of the same characters in the previous books.  

  Swedish authors seem to be making a big splash on the American scene in the past decade. This could have started with “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” by Stieg Larsson. But I want to particularly mention two Swedish authors who like to use older protagonists.

  Fredrik Backman wrote the huge bestseller “A Man Called Ove,” about a curmudgeonly sort who has a sad back- story. The neighborhood shuns him, except for a new couple with two children who gradually break down his defenses and re-awaken his sense of humanity.  It’s funny and charming. If you like this story, move on to “Britt-Marie Was Here” and “My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She’s Sorry.”

  The second Swedish author is Jonas Jonasson, who wrote – are you ready for this? – “The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Dis-appeared.” It’s a comical satire featuring a character who decides he doesn’t want to die in his nursing home, makes a break for it, and heads out on an adventure that vaguely reminds me of old picaresque novels like “Don Quixote” or “Huckleberry Finn.” The people and circumstances our hundred-year-old man encounters will keep you smiling.

  Back to the southern authors to mention Fannie Flagg and her best-known book, “Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistlestop Cafe.” The book takes place in the 1980’s with flashbacks to the years following the Great Depression. The flashbacks are narrated by the resident of a nursing home, telling her story to a weekly visitor. It’s really a paean to the beauty of lifelong friendships and small-town ties. A similar book also by Flagg is “The Whole Town’s Talking.”  

  While we’re on the subject of writers featuring older protagonists, I’ll also mention a few more: Jon Hassler’s quiet stories featuring retired teacher Agatha McGee; Terry Kay’s “To Dance with the White Dog,” featuring widower Sam Peek; Jan Karon’s Mitford series featuring Father Tim; and Ann B. Ross’ very southern Miss Julia series.  

  So, fellow Boomers, take heart. When Millennial criticism comes your way, remind yourself that we’re interesting and savvy enough to star in many, many books. And remind your younger acquaintances that (although we didn’t fight Nazis and save humanity) our generation gave the world rock and roll! So, you’re welcome, kids, and happy reading!