Beyond Beige by Sylvie Boulay

9th March 2024 Books

AD | book tour – as someone who has a day job in the care sector especially for those people who are 50 and above, I was really interested in the premise of Beyond Beige which describes itself as sharing the undeniable truth of of growing old. I was worried that it would be a little dry and difficult to read, but that is certainly not what I got.

Beyond Beige by Sylvie Boulay

Fully illustrated and a lot of fun, Sylvie gives the impression of a woman who suddenly realised that she is now old and Beyond Beige is a very frank account of her experience. The horrors, the pride and also the joy. Covering all manner of topics from depression, tiredness, anxiety and sex. I loved the chapter on grand mothering which left me hoping that my children bring their grandparents a similar level of joy.

Because Beyond Beige is “a woman’s illustrated story of old age”, there are a massive number of simple illustrations which make up the majority of the book. These are brilliantly hilarious at times and at others rather dark – which I also found funny but appreciate that this wouldn’t be everyone’s taste.

Underneath the humour though is a more serious edge to Beyond Beige. Sylvie’s musings on accepting seats and spaces provided for older people for example. Do you accept what is offered with bruised pride or struggle out of stubbornness and denial?

All in all I really enjoyed Beyond Beige. With only 127 pages and packed full of illustrations, it was very quick to read, less than half an hour in total. But it was very fun and gave me a little insight into what the older women in my life experience and also a look into what is to come! Thankfully, I’m firmly in the “Thank goodness that hasn’t happened to me” camp rather than the “yes, that’s me!”.

I know that I will read through Beyond Beige again a few more times, sharing some of the illustrations with my husband (as they are so funny) before passing it on to a long list of women in my life who will I think will enjoy it as much as I did.

Beyond Beige was released on 28th February and is available to buy now on Amazon (affiliate link).

DISCLOSURE: I was sent a copy of this book for the purposes of this review and to be able to take part in the book tour. However – as always – all thoughts and opinions are my own.