An Algarve Affair

Book excerpt: Izzie Childs is turning 50, wondering what happened to feminism and finding herself caught up in the conundrum of being both a smart post-feminist woman, and a little more obsessed than she'd like to be on issues of fat, looks and wrinkles. When she finds herself in Portugal for a month and lusting after a young man who cleans the pool, Izzie realizes that despite a life of counselling and self-awareness she is deep in mid-life crisis. Izzie decides to chronicle the trials and tribulations of her quest to integrate her feminist ideals with the shocking reality of her inner feelings, often with hilarious results, sometimes with great poignancy, and always in a way which readers will recognize for themselves.