The Secret Diary of Hendrik Groen, 83¼ Years Old
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Description
'Terrific. This geriatric Adrian Mole made me laugh' Woman and Home
'Funny and touching' BBC Radio 4
Meet Hendrik Groen. An octogenarian in a care home who has no intention of doing what he's told, or dying quietly. To that end, he creates the Old-But-Not-Dead Club and with his fellow members sets about living his final years with careless abandon. Such anarchism infuriates the care home director but pleases Eefje, the woman who makes Hendrik's frail heart palpitate. If it's never too late to have fun, then can it ever be too late to meet the love of your life?
'So much more than just a comedy' John Boyne
'A story with a great deal of heart' Graeme Simsion, The Rosie Project
'Amusing and wickedly accurate. A handbook of resistance for our time.' Sunday Express
'Very funny' Jeremy Paxman Financial Times
Book Information
Posts
This was a fun read but also thought provoking and sad. There were lots of scenes that made me smirk (I loved the one when Hendrik gets a speeding ticket on his mobility scooter). Even though many things were exaggerated I guess that this book gives a pretty good image of what live in a nursing home is like - I'm not sure about the management, but the OAPs are most definitely like that. In many diary entries studies about nursing homes in general, diseases etc. are mentioned. I found those very interesting and often would have wished to learn more details on some of them. Towards the end the books becomes rather sad especially when some of the main characters (are about to) die. All in all this was a satisfying and funny read. I saw that there is a second volume and I'm looking forward to reading it. (I received a free digital copy via Netgalley/the publisher. Thanks for the opportunity!)
Description
'Terrific. This geriatric Adrian Mole made me laugh' Woman and Home
'Funny and touching' BBC Radio 4
Meet Hendrik Groen. An octogenarian in a care home who has no intention of doing what he's told, or dying quietly. To that end, he creates the Old-But-Not-Dead Club and with his fellow members sets about living his final years with careless abandon. Such anarchism infuriates the care home director but pleases Eefje, the woman who makes Hendrik's frail heart palpitate. If it's never too late to have fun, then can it ever be too late to meet the love of your life?
'So much more than just a comedy' John Boyne
'A story with a great deal of heart' Graeme Simsion, The Rosie Project
'Amusing and wickedly accurate. A handbook of resistance for our time.' Sunday Express
'Very funny' Jeremy Paxman Financial Times
Book Information
Posts
This was a fun read but also thought provoking and sad. There were lots of scenes that made me smirk (I loved the one when Hendrik gets a speeding ticket on his mobility scooter). Even though many things were exaggerated I guess that this book gives a pretty good image of what live in a nursing home is like - I'm not sure about the management, but the OAPs are most definitely like that. In many diary entries studies about nursing homes in general, diseases etc. are mentioned. I found those very interesting and often would have wished to learn more details on some of them. Towards the end the books becomes rather sad especially when some of the main characters (are about to) die. All in all this was a satisfying and funny read. I saw that there is a second volume and I'm looking forward to reading it. (I received a free digital copy via Netgalley/the publisher. Thanks for the opportunity!)