we_are_all_mad_here26's review against another edition
3.0
Two and a half stars, rounding up because writing anything bad about this book would feel like punching a kindly old grandfather.
lisabwright's review against another edition
4.0
This was a delightful read. I put it on my list and then my mom (76) needed something to read so I got it for her. She LOVED it and passed it back. It is a delight.
charlotte_owl's review against another edition
5.0
A book with a lot of heart, yet very funny at the same time.
noveldeelights's review against another edition
4.0
I thoroughly enjoyed Hendrik’s first diary so I was incredibly excited to be asked to review the follow-up and it’s every bit as special.
A year after events from his previous diary, Hendrik Groen once again picks up his pen. After losing Eefje, he hadn’t felt like writing but now the time has come to get back into the swing of things, exercise his brain and fill us in on happenings at the care home and the adventures of the Old-But-Not-Dead Club.
I must say, I’ve never been one for clubs but if I’m fortunate enough to get to the ripe old age of 86 or thereabouts, I would absolutely jump at the chance to join the Old-But-Not-Dead Club. Their sheer determination to keep living life to the fullest does really prove that age is nothing but a number as they keep broadening their horizons, stay active as best as they can, laugh and have a good time.
New members are joining the fold. They will dine out on numerous occasions, try new things and even go on little trips. I adore the friendships between these members but the one that will always hold a special place in my heart, is the one between Hendrik and Evert. We should all be so lucky as to have a wonderful friend like them in our lives.
As in Hendrik’s previous diary, his entries are often moving and rather emotional. As is to be expected in this environment, some residents won’t make it to the end of the book. But Hendrik’s diary is also inspiring, uplifting and funny with many moments where I found myself chuckling. The inclusion of world news and statistics is often thought-provoking. Especially when talking about the closure of care homes and the amount of elderly people who never receive visitors and spend way too much time on their own.
Hendrik remains one of the most fantastic characters I’ve had the pleasure of meeting. He’s intelligent, thoughtful, still rather sharp witted for his age, a fabulous grandfather figure and an even more brilliant friend to have in your corner. I do so hope there will be a third diary as I am convinced there are plenty more stories to tell and I would really love to spend more time with the Old-But-Not-Dead Club again in future.
A year after events from his previous diary, Hendrik Groen once again picks up his pen. After losing Eefje, he hadn’t felt like writing but now the time has come to get back into the swing of things, exercise his brain and fill us in on happenings at the care home and the adventures of the Old-But-Not-Dead Club.
I must say, I’ve never been one for clubs but if I’m fortunate enough to get to the ripe old age of 86 or thereabouts, I would absolutely jump at the chance to join the Old-But-Not-Dead Club. Their sheer determination to keep living life to the fullest does really prove that age is nothing but a number as they keep broadening their horizons, stay active as best as they can, laugh and have a good time.
New members are joining the fold. They will dine out on numerous occasions, try new things and even go on little trips. I adore the friendships between these members but the one that will always hold a special place in my heart, is the one between Hendrik and Evert. We should all be so lucky as to have a wonderful friend like them in our lives.
As in Hendrik’s previous diary, his entries are often moving and rather emotional. As is to be expected in this environment, some residents won’t make it to the end of the book. But Hendrik’s diary is also inspiring, uplifting and funny with many moments where I found myself chuckling. The inclusion of world news and statistics is often thought-provoking. Especially when talking about the closure of care homes and the amount of elderly people who never receive visitors and spend way too much time on their own.
Hendrik remains one of the most fantastic characters I’ve had the pleasure of meeting. He’s intelligent, thoughtful, still rather sharp witted for his age, a fabulous grandfather figure and an even more brilliant friend to have in your corner. I do so hope there will be a third diary as I am convinced there are plenty more stories to tell and I would really love to spend more time with the Old-But-Not-Dead Club again in future.
yvo_about_books's review against another edition
4.0
Finished reading: December 27th 2019
“The most salient hallmark of life in an old-age home may well be the lack of duties or responsabilities. Everything is taen care of for you. There is no need for reflection. Life goes down as easily as custard without any lumps.”
Spoiler
I loved my first meeting with Hendrik Groen, his character and personality reminding me of all time favorite Ove, and I have been waiting impatiently to meet up with him again in the sequel On The Bright Side. This series is written in diary form where we follow the daily life and adventures of an elderly Dutch man at his care home in Amsterdam. The Old-But-Not-Dead Club once again makes its appearance, along with the already known and treasured members of course. This is definitely a case where you should read the first book before starting the sequel, because you won't understand or keep apart the characters otherwise! While it's true that I thought that the sequel was a tiny bit slower and I enjoyed the first book a tiny bit better, I still loved spending time with Hendrik and the others. The diary entries are not only used to discuss daily life in a care home, but also talks about national and international happenings and politics. We also get to know the other main characters even better, albeit always through Hendrik's eyes. On The Bright Side gives us humor and lighter moments as well as more heavy topics and there are definitely some sad moments before you reach the final page. If you loved A Man Called Ove you should definitely put meeting Hendrik on your list! His grumpy and slightly cheeky character is a true delight for anyone who can appreciate a truly unique character.
P.S. Find more of my reviews here.
auntblh's review against another edition
4.0
This was another great installment in the life of Hendrik Groen. It made me laugh, it made me cry, and it made me think about how my life might be like if/when I end up in an old age home. I hope I can be a member of the old but not dead yet club!
sofuia's review against another edition
3.0
Eigenlijk vind ik het een beetje inhoudsloos boek. Maar als hij uit is toch wel weer leuk?
bibliobabe94's review against another edition
3.0
On the surface, a charming old man's diary of the adventures he and his friends get up to. But beneath that, there is a lot to think about, such as the care of the elderly, euthanasia, the challenges of aging, and the knowledge that death is coming. Lovely and thought provoking at the same time.
pierke's review against another edition
5.0
Always a bit apprehensive when sequels are concerned, but this one's even better than the first one. Wished I could give 5½ star!
alba_marie's review against another edition
3.0
“A new year - how you get through it is up to you, Green; life doesn’t come with training wheels. Get this show on the road. And keep looking on the bright side.”
Dutch comedic senior and resident of an Amsterdam care home returns in this second diary-novel. He's now 85, and he's going to take your through a daily account of like in 2015.
I loved the first book, Secret Diary of Hendrick Groen, though others I recommended it to weren't as enamoured. I wanted an easy and quick book to get me going as I've a few long reads ahead of me. But it took me awhile to really get into this book. It wasn't as funny as I remembered finding the first one. Maybe I'm older or my tastes have changed, but it felt like the author was trying too hard.
Also even with Hendrick trying to stay light-hearted, it was kind of hard and awkward to read about subjects in regards to the elderly. Sometimes it felt like he was trying too hard to make jokes about a serious thing, and sometimes I found myself getting annoyed at some of the residents for acting so much like children throwing tantrums and insults. Getting old must be hard, but that's no reason to lose dignity and stay civilised.
It did remind me though I no matter what age, it's too easy to fall into a routine as well as fall into laziness. That you have to keep doing things, keep you on your toes, say yes to new experiences and challenges because saying no is too easy. So for that, the book did its job!
Anyway, it was fine, but maybe I had too high expectations based on my memory of the first book. Still a fairly quick read, and it's helping me to reach my translated books goals.
Dutch comedic senior and resident of an Amsterdam care home returns in this second diary-novel. He's now 85, and he's going to take your through a daily account of like in 2015.
I loved the first book, Secret Diary of Hendrick Groen, though others I recommended it to weren't as enamoured. I wanted an easy and quick book to get me going as I've a few long reads ahead of me. But it took me awhile to really get into this book. It wasn't as funny as I remembered finding the first one. Maybe I'm older or my tastes have changed, but it felt like the author was trying too hard.
Also even with Hendrick trying to stay light-hearted, it was kind of hard and awkward to read about subjects in regards to the elderly. Sometimes it felt like he was trying too hard to make jokes about a serious thing, and sometimes I found myself getting annoyed at some of the residents for acting so much like children throwing tantrums and insults. Getting old must be hard, but that's no reason to lose dignity and stay civilised.
It did remind me though I no matter what age, it's too easy to fall into a routine as well as fall into laziness. That you have to keep doing things, keep you on your toes, say yes to new experiences and challenges because saying no is too easy. So for that, the book did its job!
Anyway, it was fine, but maybe I had too high expectations based on my memory of the first book. Still a fairly quick read, and it's helping me to reach my translated books goals.