The Secret Diary of Hendrik Groen
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4.2 • 322 Ratings
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- $11.99
Publisher Description
In this #1 international bestseller, an old man who is young at heart proves that life doesn't stop once you enter a nursing home, perfect for fans of A Man Called Ove.
Technically speaking, Hendrik Groen is elderly. But at age 83 and one quarter, this feisty curmudgeon has no plans to go out quietly. Bored of weak tea and potted geraniums, exasperated by the indignities of aging, Hendrik has decided to rebel. He begins writing an exposé: secretly recording the antics of day-to-day life in his retirement home, where he refuses to take himself, or his fellow ""inmates,"" too seriously.
With an eccentric group of friends, he founds the Old-But-Not-Dead Club, and he and his best friend, Evert, gleefully stir up trouble, enraging the home's humorless director and turning themselves into unlikely heroes. And when a sweet and sassy widow moves in next door, he is determined to savor every ounce of joy in the time he has left, with hilarious and tender consequences.
The Secret Diary of Hendrik Groen is an inspiring, charming, and laugh-out-loud delight for readers of any age.
APPLE BOOKS REVIEW
Some people give up on life long before their time comes, but that’s not how Hendrik Groen plans on going out. An octogenarian living in a Dutch care facility, the mischievous Hendrik keeps his rapier wit sharp by recording his thoughts in a diary. Though The Secret Diary of Hendrik Groen was eventually revealed to be a work of fiction (by 61-year-old first-time author Peter de Smet), the entertaining adventures of Hendrik and his friends—the “Old but Not Dead Club”—have the ring of truth about them. Hendrik and his club cope with the hardships of old age with total irreverence and pitch-black humor and through plenty of wild excursions, carousing, and drinking. Like, a lot of drinking. Though the crew does grapple with scary aging-related issues like strokes, tremors, and dementia, these pains and setbacks only fuel the Club’s zest for life—much to the envy of their fellow “inmates.” This absurdly funny book might reframe the way you look at death and aging altogether.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Delightful and moving, Groen's novel shares a full year of the eponymous octogenarian's journal entries, detailing his day-to-day observations, humorous inner monologues, and overall zest for life within a nursing home in Amsterdam. Bored with the daily monotony of life at the center, he decides to keep a journal for a complete year to expose the frustrations, gripes, and groans of his fellow "inmates" and the realities of growing old. Between hilarious quips about life, Hendrik regales readers with the joys of the motor scooter and his decision to relent and wear adult diapers. Hendrik's good friend Evert a crotchety old fellow who gets his kicks riling up the other residents helps stave off the loneliness, but it's when new resident Eefje arrives that Hendrik feels a spark he hasn't experienced in a long time. Hendrik, Eefje, and Evert, along with a small group of wily seniors, decide to have a little fun while they still can by organizing the Old-But-Not-Dead Club to plan outings and excursions, including tai chi and cooking classes, and visits to the casino and museums. Engaging and hilarious, Hendrik's diary gives a dignity and respect to the elderly often overlooked in popular culture, providing readers a look into the importance of friendship and the realities of the senior care system in modern society.
Customer Reviews
The Secret Diary of Hendrik Groen, 83 1/4 years old
I started reading this book some time ago, and put it down to follow a series. It got lost in my shuffle of reading.
When I picked it up again I found it to be quite charming in its range of emotions over the shared experiences of Hendrik and his small group of friends. They share the pain of losses, both small and deeply profound. You also get to feel the joy they share, being together dabbling in new activities in then”old but not dead” group. They’re involved on a bit of a radical move to try to uncover the “rules and regulations” of their care home, which gives you a fun glimpse into the politics of an elder care home.
Significant losses; physical, mental, and emotional are presented in a real life feel. One time, in his sadness, Hendrik simply writes, I cannot write today. Another great sources of fun is Hendricks descriptions of his adventures on his mobility scooter - I felt happy for him as he described being out and able to go anywhere.
Although there are definitely sad parts to the aging process, Hendrik also gives you glimpses of great joy.
A very fun read.
Diary
It took me a while to get interested in reading this in diary form. But as usual, you can get used to anything if you try. I really enjoyed this story. I had actually bought book 2 first and I don’t believe I finished it. So now I have a reason to finish it. I have to see what happens with the people in this wonderful club.
I am 80 and 3/4
I don’t plan on living forever but will continue to try with a smile on my face know ing that my infirmities are normal and funny, at least to me. Hendrix is right when he says the OBNDY club has a young heart that cherishes friendship and seeing the brighter side of life. I hope to become a member if only in abstemious.