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The Secret Diary of Hendrik Groen, 831/4 Years Old by Hendrik Groen (Hardcover, 2016)
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Alphabeta Books (8460)
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I am 83 years old.'. Technically speaking he is. elderly. But surely there is more to life at his age than weak tea and potted geraniums?. Praise for The Secret Diary of Hendrik Groen, 83 Years Old '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.
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** THE INTERNATIONAL PHENOMENON ** 'There are many laughs in this book but it's so much more than just a comedy. It's a story about how friendship, selflessness and dignity lie at the heart of the human experience. When I'm an old man, I want to be Hendrik Groen' John Boyne, author of international bestseller The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas *** 'Another year and I still don't like old people. Me? I am 83 years old.' Hendrik Groen may be old, but he is far from dead and isn't planning to be buried any time soon. Granted, his daily strolls are getting shorter because his legs are no longer willing and he had to visit his doctor more than he'd like. Technically speaking he is ... elderly. But surely there is more to life at his age than weak tea and potted geraniums? Hendrik sets out to write an expose- a year in the life of his care home in Amsterdam, revealing all its ups and downs - not least his new endeavour the anarchic Old-But-Not Dead Club. And when Eefje moves in - the woman Hendrik has always longed for - he polishes his shoes (and his teeth), grooms what's left of his hair and attempts to make something of the life he has left, with hilarious, tender and devastating consequences. The indomitable Hendrik Groen - Holland's unlikeliest hero - has become a cultural phenomenon in his native Netherlands and now he and his famously anonymous creator are conquering the globe. A major Dutch bestseller, The Secret Diary of Hendrik Groen will not only delight older readers with its wit and relevance, but will charm and inspire those who have years to go before their own expiry date. *** Praise for The Secret Diary of Hendrik Groen, 83 Years Old '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 'There are many laughs in this book but it's so much more than just a comedy. It's a story about how friendship, selflessness and dignity lie at the heart of the human experience. When I'm an old man, I want to be Hendrik Groen' John Boyne 'A funny but also touching diary praised for its wit and realism' BBC Radio 4 Front Row 'I laughed until I cried and then laughed and cried some more' David Suchet 'Thoughtful, anxious and gruff... Laced with humour' The Best New Fiction Mail on Sunday '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 Sunday Express '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 '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 Times 'Full of off-beat charm and quirky characters' Cathy Rentzenbrink, Stylist 'Hendrik pens an expose of his care home, sets up the Old-But-Not-Dead club and relishes the arrival of a new female resident. This geriatric AdriaProduct Identifiers
PublisherPenguin Books LTD
ISBN-139780718183004
eBay Product ID (ePID)223168744
Product Key Features
Publication Year2016
TopicTrue Stories, Genealogy, Books
Book TitleThe Secret Diary of Hendrik Groen, 831/4 Years Old
Number of Pages384 Pages
LanguageEnglish
AuthorHendrik Groen
FormatHardcover
Dimensions
Item Height224 mm
Item Weight520 g
Item Width140 mm
Additional Product Features
Country/Region of ManufactureUnited Kingdom
Title_AuthorHendrik Groen
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Ratings and reviews
Most relevant reviews
- 16 Jun, 2022
Hanging in there
This is a book both amusing and a little bit sad. It’s a look behind the walls of an old folks’ home where not all the inmates are ready to die just yet, but the threats of dementia and terminal illness hang over them all. Their efforts to brighten up their ‘twilight years’ are believable and quite touching.Verified purchase: YesCondition: Pre-owned
- 10 Feb, 2017
A blueprint for surviving getting old with a positive attitude.
Varies from laugh out loud to deeply poignant, Hendriks views on life in a care home over the twelve months are a frank and at times disturbing but told with a positive outlook which keeps him going. The hints about his previous life are intriguing and would perhaps be worth a prequel?Verified purchase: YesCondition: New
- 29 Dec, 2016
The way it is
Some home truths here, makes you thinkVerified purchase: YesCondition: New
