The Secret Diary of Hendrik Groen, 83¼ Years Old
A humorous account of life in a care home
Hendrik Groen author Hester Velmans translator
Format:Paperback
Publisher:Penguin Books Ltd
Published:13th Jul '17
Should be back in stock very soon
This charming novel follows an elderly man's adventures in a care home, as he and his friends embrace life with humor and defiance. The Secret Diary of Hendrik Groen, 83¼ Years Old offers a fresh perspective on aging.
In The Secret Diary of Hendrik Groen, 83¼ Years Old, readers are introduced to Hendrik Groen, an 83-year-old resident of a care home who refuses to conform to the expectations of aging. Instead of resigning himself to a quiet life, Hendrik establishes the Old-But-Not-Dead Club, a group that seeks to embrace life with vigor and humor. This spirited rebellion against the mundane delights Hendrik and his companions, even as it frustrates the care home director. Their antics are a testament to the idea that age is merely a number, and joy can be found at any stage of life.
As Hendrik navigates the ups and downs of his golden years, he finds companionship and romance in Eefje, a fellow resident who brings excitement to his life. Their relationship blossoms amidst the backdrop of the care home, illustrating that love knows no age limits. The novel deftly balances humor with heartfelt moments, showcasing the resilience of the human spirit and the importance of connection.
The Secret Diary of Hendrik Groen, 83¼ Years Old has captivated readers worldwide, encouraging them to reconsider their perceptions of aging. It's not just a story about growing old; it's a celebration of life, laughter, and the enduring quest for happiness, no matter how many candles are on the cake.
'A great deal of heart' Graeme Simsion 'Praised for its wit' BBC Radio 4 Front Row 'When I'm an old man, I want to be Hendrik Groen' John Boyne 'I laughed until I cried' David Suchet 'Thoughtful, anxious and gruff... Laced with humour' Mail on Sunday 'Amusing [and] wickedly accurate' Sunday Express * - *
A story with a great deal of heart, it pulled me in with its self-deprecating humour, finely drawn characters and important themes. Anyone who hopes to grow old with dignity will have much to reflect on -- Graeme Simsion, author of international phenomenon * The Rosie Project *
Thoughtful, anxious and gruff... Laced with humour -- The Best New Fiction * Mail on Sunday *
Full of off-beat charm and quirky characters -- Cathy Rentzenbrink * Stylist *
A joy to read, as much concerned with friendship and dignity as it is with the debilitating effects of aging ... An entertaining and uplifting story of a man in the winter of his days, stoic in the face of bureaucratic nonsense and an unabashed need to wear a nappy. Imagined or not, this is the diary of someone who wants nothing more than to be allowed see out his days with dignity and respect. It's not too much to ask, really, is it? -- John Boyne * Irish Independent *
Amusing [and] wickedly accurate ... I was constantly put in mind of One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest, another comi-tragedy concerning the tyranny of institutions of the unwanted. Enjoy Groen's light touch but do not be fooled by it. We live in an ageing society. The Secret Diary of Hendrik Groen is a handbook of resistance for our time. ***** FIVE STARS * Daily Express *
Hendrik Groen is king -- Ray Kluun
Highly entertaining ... a delightful and touching saga of one man's way of coping with old age ... we may assume that Hendrik Groen is a character of fiction. But it is a fiction so closely based on the observation of real life that it is utterly convincing * Daily Express *
Hendrik pens an exposé of his care home, sets up the Old-But-Not-Dead club and relishes the arrival of a new female resident. This geriatric Adrian Mole made me laugh and think. Terrific -- Fanny Blake * Woman and Home *
ISBN: 9781405924009
Dimensions: 198mm x 130mm x 25mm
Weight: 282g
400 pages