Review of Not Dead Yet
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Kay Ole
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Review of Not Dead Yet
[Following is a volunteer review of "Not Dead Yet" by Mark Fletcher.]
Not Dead Yet by Mark Fletcher is the kind of book that will give you all the feels, you will laugh and cry and cheer on the residents of the nursing home! This is a book that will truly grab your heart. The way it is written really brings the characters to life, you feel like you know these people and maybe you do! You will recognize some of these characters in the people you know and love and possibly even dislike in real life, you will start to understand why some of them are the way they are, especially the difficult personalities. This is a book that will make you think and make you more empathetic and compassionate to the most grumpy and impossible to please older folk. This is truly one of those books that will stay with you long after you are finished reading it. This book from start to finish has heart!
All of the characters have something to offer in their story and personalities, but the two that really tugged at my heart were Alexander and Thomas.
Alexander has a difficult time at first adjusting to the nursing home when he first arrives. He is an independant man that has been on his own doing things for himself, not relying or depending on anyone else's help and assistance for most of his life, especially the last twenty years since his wife has passed. Coming to the nursing home he is now told when to eat, that he doesn't need to and isn't expected to make his bed or clean up after himself as someone else will do it all for him. He feels a little childish having to make a sign with the crafts lady with pictures clipped out of magazines and added glitter with his name on it to hang on his door.
Alexander absolutely hates being there until one night a few of the other residents show up at his door and they bond through music, and a beautiful and meaningful new nightly routine and friendship blossoms.
Thomas's story is one about dignity and how life comes full circle from infancy to old age and how we often forget that older people needing assistance still have their dignity just like anyone else, they deserve respect and privacy and have feelings and still get humiliated. Thomas's story had me in tears and I grew to love him just like his new friend he met at the laundromat loved him and looked forward to their Wednesday laundry and lunch meetings.
Mark Fletcher really humanized these characters so incredibly, a goal I think that every author strives for in their writing, but few achieve. You really forget you are reading fiction, these are more than just characters, they are REAL people! We all know these characters as people in our real lives, Mr. Fletcher humanizes them.
One story I found interesting was Frank and Douglas's. Both men in their late 80s discover their love and attraction for each other. At 87 finally coming out, feeling free and safe at last to do so.
This is a book that I highly recommend everyone to read, it is so well written, I didn't notice any errors or flaws in the editing. It flows nicely and is a quick read, it was difficult to put down, I read it in one sitting. It is quick and easy but oh so impactful. It deserves a full 5 out of 5 stars from me for sure!
******
Not Dead Yet
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on Smashwords
Not Dead Yet by Mark Fletcher is the kind of book that will give you all the feels, you will laugh and cry and cheer on the residents of the nursing home! This is a book that will truly grab your heart. The way it is written really brings the characters to life, you feel like you know these people and maybe you do! You will recognize some of these characters in the people you know and love and possibly even dislike in real life, you will start to understand why some of them are the way they are, especially the difficult personalities. This is a book that will make you think and make you more empathetic and compassionate to the most grumpy and impossible to please older folk. This is truly one of those books that will stay with you long after you are finished reading it. This book from start to finish has heart!
All of the characters have something to offer in their story and personalities, but the two that really tugged at my heart were Alexander and Thomas.
Alexander has a difficult time at first adjusting to the nursing home when he first arrives. He is an independant man that has been on his own doing things for himself, not relying or depending on anyone else's help and assistance for most of his life, especially the last twenty years since his wife has passed. Coming to the nursing home he is now told when to eat, that he doesn't need to and isn't expected to make his bed or clean up after himself as someone else will do it all for him. He feels a little childish having to make a sign with the crafts lady with pictures clipped out of magazines and added glitter with his name on it to hang on his door.
Alexander absolutely hates being there until one night a few of the other residents show up at his door and they bond through music, and a beautiful and meaningful new nightly routine and friendship blossoms.
Thomas's story is one about dignity and how life comes full circle from infancy to old age and how we often forget that older people needing assistance still have their dignity just like anyone else, they deserve respect and privacy and have feelings and still get humiliated. Thomas's story had me in tears and I grew to love him just like his new friend he met at the laundromat loved him and looked forward to their Wednesday laundry and lunch meetings.
Mark Fletcher really humanized these characters so incredibly, a goal I think that every author strives for in their writing, but few achieve. You really forget you are reading fiction, these are more than just characters, they are REAL people! We all know these characters as people in our real lives, Mr. Fletcher humanizes them.
One story I found interesting was Frank and Douglas's. Both men in their late 80s discover their love and attraction for each other. At 87 finally coming out, feeling free and safe at last to do so.
This is a book that I highly recommend everyone to read, it is so well written, I didn't notice any errors or flaws in the editing. It flows nicely and is a quick read, it was difficult to put down, I read it in one sitting. It is quick and easy but oh so impactful. It deserves a full 5 out of 5 stars from me for sure!
******
Not Dead Yet
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on Smashwords
Latest Review: Snatched Up to Heaven for Kids by Jemima Paul, Arvind Paul
