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Jenny Joseph
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Warning: When I am an Old Woman I Shall Wear Purple Hardcover – 6 Nov. 1997

by Jenny Joseph (Author), Pythia Ashton-Jewell (Illustrator)
4.6 out of 5 stars 450 ratings
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Voted Britain's favourite poem, 'Warning', written in 1961, is known and loved the world over for its message of old age as a time for indulgence and fun.

In the poem's respectable middle-aged woman, as she imagines herself in old age as a cheeky rebel with outrageous clothes and dotty behaviour, poet Jenny Joseph has created a character whose thoughts have been quoted at conferences and funerals, used to cheer up sick friends, remembered with pleasure by children and adults alike. Found in schoolbooks from Alaska to Singapore, the poem has been stitched, stamped, quilted, set to music, printed on cards, written on cakes and made into films.

Here 'Warning: When I am an old woman I shall wear purple' appears as a beautifully illustrated gift book, the perfect gift for a friend or relative who wants to grow older with joy.

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  1. Print length
    32 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Souvenir Press
  4. Publication date
    6 Nov. 1997
  5. Dimensions
    15.95 x 11.48 x 1.04 cm
  6. ISBN-10
    0285634119
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0285634114
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Product description

Review

A poem that was to inspire two generations of women to contemplate behaving badly. ― Mail on Sunday

The most popular poem in Britain. ― Guardian

Continues to inspire with its humour... speaks to the devil in us all... Utterly charming and uplifting. ― Good Book Guide

Book Description

Twice-voted poem of the year, Warning is an uplifting poem about growing older.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Souvenir Press; Main edition (6 Nov. 1997)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 32 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0285634119
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0285634114
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 15.95 x 11.48 x 1.04 cm
  • Customer reviews:
    4.6 out of 5 stars 450 ratings

About the author

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Jenny Joseph

Jenny Joseph

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Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
450 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this book readable and well-illustrated, with one noting its few words per page. They appreciate its humor, with one describing it as a tongue-in-cheek look at aging. The book is particularly suitable as a gift, especially for seniors, and customers find it uplifting, with one describing it as liberating.

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29 customers mention ‘Readability’29 positive0 negative

Customers find the book readable and enjoyable, describing it as fantastic and utterly fabulous.

"...Book was just like new too." Read more

"It’s a great fun read - a very tongue-in-cheek humorous look at ageing" Read more

"The perfect book for that special ‘older’ lady in your life. My mum has always loved this poem, so felt it fitting for her 80th birthday." Read more

"Great little book" Read more

21 customers mention ‘Illustrated content’21 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the illustrated content of the book, describing it as a lovely gem with few words on each page.

"I’m so delighted to have found this poem in book form. Beautiful! I share it frequently in my classes." Read more

"A few words on each page with some nice illustrations, makes a nice gift for any naughty old ladies you may know. :)" Read more

"...Looks very retro. High quality book." Read more

"Love this writing by Jenny Joseph of "When I am an Old woman I shall wear purple". Bought this book for a friend of a certain age...." Read more

20 customers mention ‘Humor’20 positive0 negative

Customers find the poem humorous and entertaining, with one noting its tongue-in-cheek approach to aging.

"What great poem. I had read it before. Bought it in time for my 80th Birthday Do and got all guests to sign it. Book was just like new too." Read more

"I love this little book to give as a gift as its amusing to read 📚 x..." Read more

"It’s a great fun read - a very tongue-in-cheek humorous look at ageing" Read more

"My favourite poem (I know it's many people's) made into a whole book.. a gem! Love it so much...." Read more

18 customers mention ‘Gift value’18 positive0 negative

Customers find the book makes a perfect gift, particularly noting it as a funny present for mothers.

"...on each page with some nice illustrations, makes a nice gift for any naughty old ladies you may know. :)" Read more

"...Coventry are fab- both contemporary and timeless.. it would make a great gift. Looks very retro. High quality book." Read more

"...and this little book is one for me to keep and pass to my granddaughter . I love it" Read more

"Perfect as a little extra gift for my best friends as we all get older. Quirky and funny - we will all be wearing something purple." Read more

5 customers mention ‘Age range’5 positive0 negative

Customers find the book suitable for seniors, with one mentioning it's appropriate for those 60 and older, and another noting it's fitting for an 80th birthday celebration.

"...My mum has always loved this poem, so felt it fitting for her 80th birthday." Read more

"...Great for seniors!" Read more

"this is a short poetic work by Jenni Joseph suitable for every lady over 50...." Read more

"...that this only was one poem, but agood read and quite appropriate if you are 60plus. I enjoyed it, and would recommend." Read more

4 customers mention ‘Uplifting’4 positive0 negative

Customers find the book uplifting, with one describing it as liberating and another appreciating its sentiment.

"...It is liberating in that it allows non-judgmental discussion about norms! And it is Funny.... Eminently suitable as a bathroom reader." Read more

"...reading it so much that I read it to friends who also appreciated it's sentiment." Read more

"...book, the poem is very funny and makes people laugh, just great to cheer you up" Read more

"Uplifting and funny" Read more

When I am old I shall wear purple
5 out of 5 stars
When I am old I shall wear purple
What great poem. I had read it before. Bought it in time for my 80th Birthday Do and got all guests to sign it. Book was just like new too.
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Top reviews from United Kingdom

  • RITA JOWETT
    5.0 out of 5 stars When I am old I shall wear purple
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 5 January 2025
    Verified Purchase
    What great poem. I had read it before. Bought it in time for my 80th Birthday Do and got all guests to sign it. Book was just like new too.
    Customer image
    RITA JOWETT
    5.0 out of 5 stars
    When I am old I shall wear purple

    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 5 January 2025
    What great poem. I had read it before. Bought it in time for my 80th Birthday Do and got all guests to sign it. Book was just like new too.
    Images in this review
    Customer image
    Helpful
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  • Martina Quinlan
    5.0 out of 5 stars A classic
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 9 June 2024
    Verified Purchase
    I’m so delighted to have found this poem in book form. Beautiful! I share it frequently in my classes.
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  • jan
    5.0 out of 5 stars Warn the kids
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 21 January 2025
    Verified Purchase
    Think I might join her
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  • Vivien F.
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent little book for a gift
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 25 March 2024
    Verified Purchase
    I love this little book to give as a gift as its amusing to read 📚 x
    Helpful
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  • Bernadette.
    4.0 out of 5 stars Sense of humour essential!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 20 July 2019
    Verified Purchase
    It’s a great fun read - a very tongue-in-cheek humorous look at ageing
    Helpful
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  • cocomojo
    5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 27 May 2024
    Verified Purchase
    The perfect book for that special ‘older’ lady in your life. My mum has always loved this poem, so felt it fitting for her 80th birthday.
    Helpful
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  • Joy
    5.0 out of 5 stars Funny poem
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 14 July 2024
    Verified Purchase
    I have always loved this poem, came well packaged and on time.
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  • Suze
    3.0 out of 5 stars Nice gift book.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 19 October 2014
    Verified Purchase
    A few words on each page with some nice illustrations, makes a nice gift for any naughty old ladies you may know. :)
    One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Voice of Zip
    5.0 out of 5 stars Splendid!
    Reviewed in the United States on 31 July 2009
    Verified Purchase
    I heard Jenny Joseph interviewed on NPR many years ago, and have since added a fair amount poetry and writing authored by women to the literature classes I teach. I have found this book to be particularly valuable as regards promoting an increased awareness of women - not just their writing - but also how the human condition is uniquely evinced and exemplified by the women in our world. I also feel that this is an excellent book for discussion and for helping young men begin - while YOUNG - to be sensitive to and respectful of women in general. Gentlemen seem to be a vanishing breed these days; perhaps this book's eloquent poetry and revealing anecdotes about women can help foster a bit more understanding and mutual appreciation. My wife and I have given several copies as gifts, and they have always been well-received.
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  • Danaé DR
    5.0 out of 5 stars Cute book
    Reviewed in the Netherlands on 26 March 2023
    Verified Purchase
    You can finish this book in like 10 minutes. Cute book though and a lovely poem.
    Report
  • Overly honest reviewer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Classic
    Reviewed in Australia on 26 February 2025
    Verified Purchase
    Well bound favourite that makes an ideal gift.
    Report
  • RK
    3.0 out of 5 stars I’ve seen bigger cell phones
    Reviewed in Canada on 9 September 2023
    Verified Purchase
    I read the reviews first, so I knew it was just an illustrated line-per-page version of the poem. What surprised me was that it was barely the size of my hand. It was a gift for a senior friend (by request, I’m not a monster) and no way she’s gonna be able to manage such a small print, small size book. Not a bad product, just very unsuitable for me.
    Report
  • Anne Milligan
    5.0 out of 5 stars Way to go
    Reviewed in Australia on 6 September 2020
    Verified Purchase
    Present for friend. Great memory
    Report