The Secret Diary of Hendrik Groen (Hendrik Groen, 1) Hardcover – July 11, 2017

The life of an elderly man in a seniors community. I enjoyed his daily diary writing. He had an interesting group of friends who were determined to enjoy life even tho old age was showing it's ugly face. Funny and sad at the same time. We are all heading in the same direction.

Book arrived in great shape and promptly. Pleased with purchase.

I am not too sure that this diary is based on someone’s real life. First, for me, it takes place far from home and in a different country. Then, it seemed to me that some of the incidents were told by an observer looking in rather than the one who’s experiencing it. Still, there are several sensitive narrations of events, people and feelings that make the story ring of truth.Although some sense of humor is sparsely sprayed here and there, I didn’t find the story to be funny. In fact, I found it to be on the rather sad side.The diary form of the book spreads over a year in the life of Hendrik Groen who has a negative, sarcastic view of life due to the death of his child and his wife’s mental problems that have to do with serious depression, which has her confined. Despite that, if not his words but his actions show his true caring, loving nature. This makes him a character most readers can accept and even love.Hendrik Groen, who is 83 going on 84, lives in a home for the elderly in North Amsterdam, where the mostly eccentric residents are free to go in and out of the place on their own. Aside from the central struggle against old age and its infirmities, the lesser conflict of the story is between the administrator Mrs. Stelwagen, her unseen rules book and Hendrik and his friends, Evert, Grietje, the chefs Ria and Antonie and their Old but not Dead club. The club members go out on outings together and have a good time. In the club, there’s also the old lady Eefje, the newcomer in the group toward whom Hendrik develops an emotional attachment. Mrs. Stelwagen’s assistant Anja helps Hendrik with his rebellion against the administration by passing out to him secrets until she’s found out and made to retire.The most positive thing about this story is Hendrik’s stoicism and refusal to give up on life and dwell in self-pity, with which his diary helps, as he claims it does. The author does well with showing the resilience of the elderly while they lose friends but show independence, dignity, and parts of their bodies and minds.The book is easy to read and it makes a strong social commentary on the ills and the welfare of the elderly.

When I first started The Secret Diary of Hendrik Groen, I thought the writing style was going to detract from the flow. However, right from the beginning I forgot the date postings and eventually liked being able to go back and see when something occurred along the timeline.Maybe because my mother has been in assisted living for 3 years and it seems homes for the elderly may universally have things in common. Particularly the “rules”. Until recently, my mother was extremely vexed by one rule or another and felt they weren’t applied fairly. I just loved Hendrik and got a kick out of his curmudgeon best bud Evert. The fast progression of maladies was disheartening but realistic. The cast of characters mostly seemed to be about Hendrik’s age (83 ¼) and once people move to a restricted environment, they usually don’t live many more years.I liked the sweet added touch of affection in Hendrik and Eefje’s relationship. It was very sad experiencing her death but heartwarming the way Hendrik helped her through it. Grietje’s knowing Alzheimer’s was progressing was hard but she took such a practical approach to planning and getting the support and guidance she thought she would need.The Old-But-Not-Dead Club was a wonderful thing that would be such a delight for people in their stage of life. Everyone got their chance to dazzle their peers and plan a wonderful surprise outing for the rest. I found myself wishing it didn’t need to be limited in size as there were so many others that clearly would have enjoyed inclusion.My mother is 99 and had she moved to assisted living at 83 I think she would have loved to have been a part of such a group of friends. They all had something different to bring to the group but they all thoroughly enjoyed the other’s skills and talents.I really enjoyed the book. Evidently there is a television series written based on the book. I wish it was available in English. I’d love to get it for my mother. She can’t read well anymore.

It is hard to imagine an author who more intelligently and intimately narrates life - ruthlessly tragic and terrorizing yet captivating in delights and potent in suspense of the next day. It is a hilarious and for that reason alone a necessary read. How could the road to death expose the paradox of life and despair so brilliantly? Only by Hendrik Groen apparently.

To read. I'm old and it spoke to me.

Hendrik Groen is 83 1/4 years old. His body may be growing old, but his mind is as sharp as a tack. Hendrik has made the decision to write an expose he calls, a year in the life of the inmates at a care home in North Amsterdam. He has no intentions of leaving this world without a struggle.His best friend is Evert Duiker, who lives around the corner in an independent retirement building with his dog, Mohammed. He has diabetes, which he doesn't watch and he also has gout. When he is unable to walk his dog, it isHendrik who does. Evert comes to visit Hendrik every Sunday for a chat and a glass of something. Hendrik believes that the best way to enjoy old age is to surround yourself with friends and to keep busy.Both Hendrik and his best friend, Evert, get together to form a club named the Old-But-Not-Dead club. It has rules and rule #3 states "No Whining Allowed'. There are six members in the club. Besides Hendrik and Evert, there is Edward, a man of few words. Because of a stroke, he is hard to understand. What he lacks in words, he expends in shrewd observation. Grietje is a really dear friendly person. She is computer savvy. Graeme always tells it to you straight. Eefje Brand is the new resident that just moved in. She is a breath of fresh air. She has trouble walking. She shuffles along, but she does it with style. Hendrik is smitten with her. He adjusts his tie, combs his hair, whatever is left of it, and purchases a men's perfume to impress her.Membership is closed. Hendrik has come up with a list of excursions for the club to enjoy. To name a few is a football game, a visit to Keukenhof tulip gardens to name a few and perhaps bungee jumping. The members are interested in starting a cooking class, if they can use their kitchen at the residence once a month. They would have to speak to the Director, Mrs. Stelwagen. If not, there is always the internet to find a kitchen for their needs. Each member plans a secret event for the group.It is interesting to note that there is very little written about Hendrik's past. You can be sure that life hasn't been easy for him. Hendrik states that "the older people are, the more scared they are. At our age, there's nothing left to lose, so why not be fearless?".Hendrik is charming, witty, kind and lovable. The Diary of Hendrik Groen is a very enjoyable and a laugh out loud book.I loved every moment of it. I might add that Hester Velmans translated this book to perfection.There is a follow-up story to this titled As Long As There is Life. I can highly recommend this book

Fine - but not a great book. The subject, old age, is interesting. It seemed an honest view of what old age can be. It was quite easy and fun to read - somewhat funny and somewhat sad. No great writing, hope, inspiration, or ideas. The characters did not have any interesting depth. (Maybe it was better in the original Dutch.)

It seems like a nursing home in the Netherlands is much different than here. Meals were poor and no professional cook who knew about different diets. Very few comforts allowed in their rooms. I enjoyed Hendrik trying so hard to be independent. Was glad he could buy a motorized scooter. Felt sad when a lady friend had a stroke and died.

オランダ，アムステルダムの老人ホームに暮らす83歳のおじいさんの日記形式のエッセイ．2013年1月1日から12月31日までほぼ毎日書かれている．本書があることを知らずに，続編 "On the Bright Side: The New Secret Diary of Hendrik Groen, 85 Years Old" を先に読んでしまったのだが，それぞれ独立して面白く読めるとはいえ，やはりこちらを先に読む方が流れはわかりやすいと思う．日々の記載はさまざまで，自分のことに加えて，個性豊かな友人，その他の入居者，食事，持病，あるいは政治問題や社会情勢が縦横に語られる．非常に赤裸々な記述が多くリアリティがある．続編に書かれていることであるが，著者は元校長先生だったようで，なかなかの知性の持ち主であり，周囲の入居者の言動を諧謔的に，ときに辛辣に描きながらも，自分自身にも批判的，冷静な目差しを注いでいる．爆笑もののエピソードも多い中で，その背景には徐々に，しかし確実に心身が衰えてゆく老人の悲哀，諦観が流れている．一つ興味深かったのは，何かと入居者の福祉より施設の都合を優先する施設長，管理部門と真っ向から対立しているところで，日本ではあまりないことかもしれない．笑いと涙のエッセイ集である．明日は我が身．著者のように毅然と，しかし自らの弱さを冷静に見つめながら，トシを取りたいものである．

A diary kept by a resident at a Dutch Care Home. Humorous, and fun - with enormous insights into how 'management' controls the place, and how residents with failing health cope with everyday situations - often ganging up in support groups.Well worth reading - from all points of view.