On the Bright Side cover art

On the Bright Side

The new secret diary of Hendrik Groen

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On the Bright Side

By: Hendrik Groen, Hester Velmans - translator
Narrated by: Patrick Ryecart
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About this listen

Penguin presents the audiobook edition of On the Bright Side by Hendrik Groen, read by Patrick Ryecart.

Everyone's favourite octogenarian is back and - together with the Old-But-Not-Dead Club - is more determined than ever to wreak havoc.

After a year mourning the death of his beloved friend Eefje, Hendrik picks up his pen once again to chronicle the goings on both inside his care home and in the increasingly confusing world outside. He may be older and a little more wobbly but his appetite for mischief hasn't diminished. When fears arise that the home is set for demolition it's up to Hendrik and the Old-But-Not-Dead Club to intervene.

Both heart-breaking and hilarious, we see Hendrik make new friends whilst losing old ones and embarking on new adventures while confronting the realities of old age. Written with his characteristic charm and candour Hendrik is determined to enjoy his autumnal years and turn a twinkly eye on the brighter side of life.

 Biographical Fiction Coming of Age Dark Humour Family Life Fiction Genre Fiction Literature & Fiction Political Comedy Biography Witty

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Critic reviews

I laughed until I cried and then laughed and cried some more (David Suchet)
Thoughtful, anxious and gruff... Laced with humour (Best New Fiction)
Full of off-beat charm and quirky characters (Cathy Rentzenbrink)
A story with a great deal of heart, it pulled me in with its self-deprecating humour, finely drawn characters and important themes. Anyone who hopes to grow old with dignity will have much to reflect on (Graeme Simsion)
Amusing [and] wickedly accurate ... I was constantly put in mind of One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest, another comi-tragedy concerning the tyranny of institutions of the unwanted. Enjoy Groen's light touch but do not be fooled by it. We live in an ageing society. The Secret Diary of Hendrik Groen is a handbook of resistance for our time (***** FIVE STARS)
There are many laughs in this book but it's so much more than just a comedy. It's a story about how friendship, selflessness and dignity lie at the heart of the human experience. When I'm an old man, I want to be Hendrik Groen (John Boyne)
Highly entertaining ... a delightful and touching saga of one man's way of coping with old age ... we may assume that Hendrik Groen is a character of fiction. But it is a fiction so closely based on the observation of real life that it is utterly convincing
A joy to read, as much concerned with friendship and dignity as it is with the debilitating effects of aging ... An entertaining and uplifting story of a man in the winter of his days, stoic in the face of bureaucratic nonsense and an unabashed need to wear a nappy. Imagined or not, this is the diary of someone who wants nothing more than to be allowed see out his days with dignity and respect. It's not too much to ask, really, is it? (John Boyne)
Praise for The Secret Diary of Hendrik Groen, 83¼ Years Old
Very funny (Jeremy Paxman)
All stars
Most relevant
Just like the first book, this one is filled with such warmth, humanity and wit, that no reader can stay impartial. Enjoyed every word of it!

Another hit!

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Love this series of books . Such a great reflection on getting older .
The Netherlands seem to treat itd older people like the uk.

Real but funny

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a thoroughly enjoyable story.
I would recommend it especially if you enjoyed the first one.

excellent

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Being dutxh myself, at first i didn’t like much the idea of listening to this book in english. But as id listened To the first i found the narrating in the dutch books didn’t compare and i ve read it again in english the narrating is on the tight kind of witty. The story is funny and reflexes well on the care style: in all those years back. Also i like how reflexes on various serious news topics, is witty, self deprecating and describes his daily difficulties in a precise, and serious and humorous manner . Very recomendable

Very recomendable

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It’s a greatly amusing book, written in a very humorous yet sensitive way, unfortunately the narration leaves a lot to be desired.
Trying to use the original names is admirable but consistency in translation is missing and making certain parts very confusing.
It was also very slow and I have been listening to the whole book at 1.4 times the original speed.

Terrible narrator, what a shame….

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