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On the Bright Side
- The New Secret Diary of Hendrik Groen, 85 Years Old
- Narrated by: Patrick Ryecart
- Length: 15 hrs and 25 mins
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Publisher's Summary
In the acclaimed follow-up to the number one international best seller The Secret Diary of Hendrik Groen, everyone's favorite curmudgeon is back and as funny and charming as ever with the newest adventures of the Old-But-Not-Dead Club - for fans of Frederik Backman and Graeme Simsion.
Everyone's favorite octogenarian is back, and together with his pals in the Old-But-Not-Dead Club, he is more determined than ever to wreak havoc and turn a twinkly eye on the brighter side of life.
After a year spent mourning the death of his beloved friend Eefje, Hendrik may be older and a little more wobbly, but his youthful 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.
Critic Reviews
"Interspersed with Groen's biting wit and comic take on aging and all it entails.... A page-turning delight for adult readers of any age and locale." (Booklist, starred review)
"Funny and frank - a story with a great deal of heart." (Graeme Simsion, New York Times best-selling author of The Rosie Project)
What listeners say about On the Bright Side
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Kathy
- 08-07-19
More insights from an elder who is bright and obse
After the first book read by Derek Jacoby we were almost not happy to listen to a book narrated by someone else. But this narrator was also an older man and was almost as good as jacoby. This book has parts which are so funny we couldn't stop laughing. The Old But Not Dead club from Hendrik's nursing home embarks on a restaurant cuisines of the world series of outings. The group's visit to a McDonald's where none have ever been is absolutely priceless.
This book has more seriousness to it. Yet we noticed after reading both books that the author, a real person, speaks much less about euthanasia. We listen to books on our frequent trips across country, which are to visit and help two elderly family members. We found that a great chunk of the 1400 miles one way was made more pleasant because of this book. If you loved the first book, read this. It is, as I say, more reflective and in some ways much sadder, but his wit and observations are worth your credit! We need more Hendriks writing to remind us of the worth of our elders.
12 people found this helpful
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- Bell
- 11-05-19
Old People Are Awesome
This book is the 2nd in the series. This gave me more insight into some of the things that can happen if you live long enough. Just because your old doesn't mean you have to act old.
2 people found this helpful
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- Rod
- 08-27-20
True wisdom
The equipoise of an 85 year old allows a clear view of life, our politics and our social constructs.
Beautifully read.
A kick up the backside for anyone feeling morose .... or self-satisfied.
I want Hendrik to be my friend.
1 person found this helpful
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- Mechelle R
- 06-24-20
Such an adorable book!
I love this book and the first one so much so that I listened to them both twice in a row! What a delightful story. Hendrick and his pals are just so easy to fall in love with! I'm looking forward to book 3!!
1 person found this helpful
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- J. R.
- 10-30-19
Great Reading Diar.y
Loved it, I felt like I lived there in that home. Great read for seniors.
1 person found this helpful
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- David
- 05-12-19
Audio problems from book 1 have been fixed
Audio problems from book 1 have been fixed. A fun follow up to the first one, and I look forward to the next book - hopefully there will be one.
2 people found this helpful
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- Susan Giardina
- 02-25-22
As good as the first!
I thoroughly enjoyed both of the Secret Diary books and was a little sad when the story came to an end. I’m not a member of The Old But Not Dead Club quite yet, but I’m almost looking forward to it (at least I’m no longer dreading it)!
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- Amazon Customer
- 01-18-22
If you are over 65...
I loved this book. It shares the joy, the humor and all the rest of the OBND (old but not dead) club of 8 good friends in a Dutch retirement home.
Hendrik is someone you'd love to know.
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- J. Miller
- 01-08-22
High Hopes Dashed
As an audiobook, I was hoping for a more upbeat tone from the narrator, but the monotone, droning delivery made it all very sad and depressing.
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- Isaak
- 09-01-21
Follow up sophomore is losing it
Hendrik Groen is back in this follow-up sequel to his Secret Diary, but this time it's hollow. Hendrik battles monotony, the fact that his home might be closing, a prankster who plays on the community fish bowl, an accident that leaves him with a fracture for several weeks, depression, forgetfulness, an almost arrest, and the death of a very close friend. All of this he does with a definitive grace but it's definitely several steps down from his first secret diary. It's entertaining, sure, but it feels like Hendrik aka the author, ran out of ideas and just allowed himself to carry on for the sake of doing so. Several of the entries just have Hendrik bickering about something that he observed or a new thought (which turns out wasn't new at all, but just at the beginning of the book). I did enjoy the first book and I managed to finish the second, but I think I'll take a break before reading the next in the series.