matron literature (also known as hen lit) is a literary genre which focuses on older female characters as protagonists. the genre has increased in popularity as the baby boomers have aged and female readers have sought characters to identify with. subjects are often romantic in nature, and heroines are usually between the ages of 45 and 65. matron lit characters were often married at one point, but are no longer with their spouses or living with their children. there are usually feminist themes in matron literature, though some works are more overtly feminist than others.