Book
On the bright side : the new secret diary of Hendrik Groen, 85 years old : a novel
Record details
- ISBN: 9781538746639
-
Physical Description:
print
regular print
441 pages ; 22 cm - Edition: First U.S. hardcover edition.
- Publisher: New York : Grand Central Publishing, 2019.
- Copyright: ©2019.
Search for related items by subject
| Subject: | Older men -- Fiction Retirement communities -- Fiction Older people -- Netherlands -- Social conditions -- Fiction |
Available copies
- 19 of 19 copies available at BC Interlibrary Connect. (Show)
- 1 of 1 copy available at Creston Public Library.
Holds
- 0 current holds with 19 total copies.
Other Formats and Editions
Show Only Available Copies
| Location | Call Number / Copy Notes | Barcode | Shelving Location | Holdable? | Status | Due Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Creston Public Library | FIC GRO (Text)
Acquisition Type: New |
35140100049322 | Fiction | Volume hold | Available | - |
- Booklist Reviews : Booklist Reviews 2019 March #2
In the sequel to the internationally best-selling The Secret Diary of Hendrik Groen (2017), Hendrik returns to his diary after a year's hiatus following the death of his dear friend, Eefje. It's 2015, and his assisted-living facility may be shut down by the government. He documents events both humorous and sad: scooter crashes at hallway intersections, the adventurous dinner outings planned each fortnight by the Old-But-Not-Dead Club (of which he is an original member), the restarting of the Residents' Committee in order to voice concerns about the bland dining-room fare, the stringent pet policy, and, above all, the dwindling and imminent death from cancer of his best friend, Evert. Interspersed among these daily entries are Groen's thoughts on the Dutch royal family, the horrific plight of the many refugees reaching European borders, and the failings of the Dutch health-care system. A realistic and perceptive glimpse into the aging process, shaped by empathy, optimism, and vibrant wit. Copyright 2019 Booklist Reviews. - LJ Express Reviews : LJ Express Reviews
The pseudonymous Groen returns in this sequel to The Secret Diary of Hendrik Groen, 83¼ Years Old, along with the cronies he lives with in a retirement home in Amsterdam. You don't need to have read the previous work, but you may want to after reading this delightful diary-cum-novel from 2015, the year he turns 85. Groen strikes just the right note here with his wit and ironic observations, all the while gently revealing the very real sadness and inevitable loss that old age brings. Henk and his friends belong to the Old but Not Dead Club, a select group of only eight people, so they can fit into a van to go on their various excursions. The adventures of the club members and the inevitable bickering of various "inmates" in the retirement home are so true to life that you have to remind yourself that this is fiction. VERDICT While this work may appeal especially to older readers, it is so warm, touching, and funny that you don't have to be a member of the Old but Not Dead club to enjoy it.âLeslie Patterson, Rehoboth, MA (c) Copyright 2019. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
