To get a 5 star rating from me, a book has to change my perspective on the world, even just slightly. This one does that. Perhaps it's good timing. I'm dealing with both an aging and sick parent and stepparent. The reality is a frustrating situation, but reading this book exacerbates it.

I love Hendrik. He's sardonic and thoughtful. He has his mind, and for the most part he has his body. I wondered throughout the book why he's in the assisted living facility. He has problems walking and he "dribbles." Other than that, he seems very capable. He seems low on the loved ones, though, so perhaps he voluntarily went into the nursing home.

I enjoyed his political and social commentary on aging. While the book is based in Europe, a place we think takes better care of the older population, Hendrik is very frustrated by it and it is even more so applicable to the United States.

The crux of the book is that Hendrik gets together with some fellow "inmates" (his term) and develop the Old But Not Dead club. These folks decide that they'll get together and go on outings (painting class, cooking class, golf, etc.). Through the club, they forge friendships - even if they are through having the common enemy of the nursing home director. You get the sense from Hendrik that these are the first real friendships he has had, which is happy and sad and every emotion in between.

I adored this book. It does have hints of A Man Called Ove (translation of European book told from the perspective of a crotchety old man), but the wider social and political commentary told in a diary format makes it even better and world perspective changing.