Since it's been published, I've heard a lot of positive comments about this book, but not being exactly the type of book I would normally go for, I never thought of reading it. When the publishers gently offered me a review copy, I decided to give it a go, if anything as a short break from the murders, blood and gore I find in crime books.

"Once you are here, there is no way out."

This is the year in the life of the 'inmates' of a care home in Amsterdam. As the title implies, this book is written in a diary format, with dates instead of chapter numbers. The year is 2013.

Octogenarian, (but much younger at heart) Hendrik Groen, writes daily in his diary to vent out, gripe and moan about what happens not only at the care home where he lives, but also in the Netherlands and the whole world in general. He writes about everything, from the weather to politics, from euthanasia to the pope.

Well I dived into this book thinking I was in for a laugh-out-loud story, in which the main character is an old clown, an 83-year-old version of the wimpy kid perhaps. And it does have many hilarious moments that actually made me laugh. Hendrik is such a great character. He's the ideal grandpa, a kind-hearted, cheeky, adventurous and courageous old man, but with a heartbreaking past. However more than anything, this book lays bare the harsh reality of old age in care homes and all that it entails... broken hips, dementia, strokes, diabetes and incontinence to name just a few.

This book is sad, grim and funny at the same time, but on the whole I found it more depressing than anything else. Maybe because I don't usually read this sort of book or perhaps because it reminded me of my aunt who lives in a care home. I'm not saying that it's not a good book, many readers seem to have enjoyed it, but honestly it left me quite heavyhearted in the end. Even though the book is full of interesting characters (especially 'The Old But Not Dead' club members) and amusing anecdotes, I couldn't help but feel awful for the old people in this home. I could clearly imagine them through Hendrik's eyes, with a passive resignation on their pale faces, living out their last days, fully knowledgeable that the end is near, with only their children or grandchildren (those lucky enough to have them) providing some sort of contact with the outside world, suffering from all sorts of ailments and seeing their companions pass away one after the other. Sad, just sad, but the author cleverly employs humour throughout to cushion the sad underlying reality.

I wish I enjoyed this book more but I couldn't help focusing on its dark side rather than the funny aspect. Anyway, this review is just my honest opinion. I'm sure other readers will enjoy it much more than I did.

​With thanks to Micheal Joseph, Penguin Random House UK for sending me a review copy of this book which I voluntarily accepted to read.

Heartwarming, touching and funny. At times I laughed out loud and at times I had a tear in my eye. Magical.

Hilarious. I really enjoyed this story of goings on the sheltered housing and care home. Ratherworrying as i'm nearing that stage too.

Hendrik Groen is a grumpy old man living in a care home in Amsterdam. The book follows a year in his life where he is out to cause mischief and trouble for other residents and the staff.

This novel has been compared The Pilgrimage of Harold Fry and The Hundred Year Old Man Who Climbed Out Of A Window And Disappeared. For me, it wasn’t in the same league. This might have something to do with the translation.

There is a good description of what it is like to live in a care home. There are some funny and some poignant moments but it didn’t really do it for me.

ARC received from NetGalley and publisher in exchange for an honest review. Thank you.

This didn't look like my normal type of read but I wanted to try something different and actually really enjoyed it. It was very funny and unusually for me I did laugh out loud at times. It also managed to be sentimental, but not overly so. There isn't any real plot to it, but actually that doesn't matter! It is a really nice steady read with very likeable characters and is ultimately an uplifting read.

To be honest this book would have been better kept a secret. It is yet another auto biographical novel that fails to grab this reader's attention. Before embarking on such a novel maybe the author should have asked himself if anyone else can be remotely interested in his urinary dribbles and his thoughts regarding mobility scooters and care homes. There are some interesting segments, short and almost as rare as hens teeth but not enough to make me give it any sort of recommendation

An entirely charming exploration of what it is like to be old in Denmark. There's a sense of an intent to improve the conditions or expose the struggles of a population group rarely really considered but enveloped in a charming narrative voice that makes you truly empathize with Groen. His attempts to keep his spirits up in a world where his friends might die any moment were perfectly poised to truly yank at your heartstrings.

In the north Amsterdam Care home lives Hendricks.
He reminds me of a mischievous child, one you just see as sometimes naughty but cute, cuddles and loveable because they say some awesome things on they're perception of life it makes you laugh.

This is Hendricks.

He also has a serious side he lays bare in his diary.

He's aging.
We all are aging everyday of our lives and we give it no thought. Friendships are bonded and become so important as we get older.

Very enjoyable read.
My thanks to Penguin UK via Net Galley

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1949058079?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1

https://www.facebook.com/sueandherbooks/?ref=bookmarks

https://www.facebook.com/groups/readrecommendreview/?ref=bookmarks

https://www.amazon.com/review/R19SUNL4YJ61AL/ref=cm_cr_rdp_perm

https://www.amazon.co.uk/review/R1VOT7PVVP5TOJ/ref=cm_cr_rdp_perm

http://sueandherbooks.blogspot.co.uk/2017/03/review-secret-diary-of-hendrik-groen-83.html

https://www.instagram.com/books_read_along_with_sue/

Both funny & sad, very witty and maybe even true to life, we will find out when we get to 83

An hilarious book, that had me laughing out loud and disturbing my fellow passengers at times. I loved every bit of the grumpiness and the quiet malice of some of the characters (for example in feeding the goldfish). His perception of "old" is refreshing, but the caustic wit and brilliant observation are unparalleled.

Everyone with elderly family or friends should read this to get a perspective on what it is to be old and in a home. This is not depressing or gloomy and well worth a read

"Nothing is a lie, but not everything is true." So states Hendrik Groen in his (no longer secret) diary. A year in the life of an octogenarian living in a care home (for the elderly) in Amsterdam. A year in which he works his way out of a grumbling, self-created isolation, finds relationships and forges community.

Not for kids, but a fantastic book and a great read. Quirky, with a tinge of nostalgic sorrow, and at times a heart-breaking feel of... I don't know what. This idea that we're not the sum of our experiences, but we continue to age. We don't have to grow old simply because we are physically doing so; our minds remain young. A sad story, in a way, but jubilant in others. Well worth reading.

Unfortunately I didn't finish reading this one, but I did skim read as it was one of our books of the month.
Thankyou for approving my request to read it as, even though I did not finish the book, I have definitely been able to take something from it for referral purposes to customers.

I loved, loved and absolutely loved this book. It's hilarious, heartbreaking and warm.
Definitely would recommend

Hendrik Groen begins the year by deciding to write a diary to record the daily goings ons at his care home in Amsterdam. He might be 83, but he's not dead yet, so fed up of the grumblings and grousing of many of the other residents, and the silly rules and regulations enforced by the home, he decides to form the Old-But-Not-Dead-Club. Hendrick brings together a chosen few, who share his slightly rebellious streak and sense of adventure. The begin by organising a series of outings and get togethers, to make the most of what little time they might all have left.
Although the sound of a story about geriatrics in a care home might not be everyone's first choice of a good read, this book is warm and laugh out loud funny, even while touching on serious subjects. This book is essentially a story of love, loss and friendship, but most of all its a book about living life to the full whatever your age.

Perhaps something has been lost in the translation, but rather than a wry comic novel I found this a pretty unrelentingly miserable read. Worthwhile as a social commentary perhaps, but a lot bleaker than I was expecting.

One year ion the life of an 84 year old , living in care home in Amsterdam. Interesting story with good descriptions of the care and life of the elderly u8nable to live independently. A diary with some fun and some sadness but fascinating in its' content.

This is humorous and sad in equal measures.
A story of growing old in body and mind but never giving up.
Made me laugh out loud.

Nice read and easy to follow story line. Look forward to reading more from this author.