Book Club: October 2025

Written in 2014, originally in Dutch, this book received numerous awards, won worldwide acclaim and inspired a TV series and film. Set in an old people’s home in Amsterdam, the story consists of a year’s diary entries written by an elderly man who describes the physical and mental challenges of old age and life in an institution.

Through a range of quite well depicted characters, he explores dementia, failing physical health, institutional shortcomings, euthanasia and the importance of friendship and support.

The writer has been praised by many critics and readers for his humour and directness in confronting the realities of old age. However, our group was less positive about the book, mostly finding it an often unpalatable treatment of issues we are aware of, but not so amused by in the same way as the author.

Maggie Doherty