On the Bright Side

March 15, 2019
In the sequel to the internationally best-selling The Secret Diary of Hendrik Groen (2017), Hendrik returns to his diary after a year's hiatus following the death of his dear friend, Eefje. It's 2015, and his assisted-living facility may be shut down by the government. He documents events both humorous and sad: scooter crashes at hallway intersections, the adventurous dinner outings planned each fortnight by the Old-But-Not-Dead Club (of which he is an original member), the restarting of the Residents' Committee in order to voice concerns about the bland dining-room fare, the stringent pet policy, and, above all, the dwindling and imminent death from cancer of his best friend, Evert. Interspersed among these daily entries are Groen's thoughts on the Dutch royal family, the horrific plight of the many refugees reaching European borders, and the failings of the Dutch health-care system. A realistic and perceptive glimpse into the aging process, shaped by empathy, optimism, and vibrant wit.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2019, American Library Association.)