Review of The Privilege of Aging

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Yin Jiang
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Review of The Privilege of Aging

Post by Yin Jiang »

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "The Privilege of Aging" by Kamla K Kapur.]
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4 out of 5 stars
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“What is old age but the opportunity to experience yourself and life from another perspective?”

In her book, The Privilege of Aging, Kamla K. Kapur reflects on aging and what it has meant for her thus far. This book is less an autobiography and more a personal reflection. Kapur takes the reader on a journey of introspection. She reflects on people, things, and events that have shaped her journey into and through old age.

I enjoyed reading this book. It was comforting to read the words of someone who is ahead of me in life. Despite being far from being considered old, I generally identified with the struggles that Kapur went through/is going through. For example, she speaks of listening to your body and giving yourself rest when you need to. In a world where it seems like everyone has a side hustle, it is comforting to have someone say it is okay to slow down.

There was no clear structure in this book. Instead, Kapur writes spontaneously, making the book sound more like the ramblings of a grandmother instead of a self-help guide. Personally, this did not faze me. The lack of structure made the reflections more personal and allowed for freedom of interpretation. 

The language in this book is poetic and insightful. For example, Kapur states that “time has become a wide, boundless field, vast as the universe in which everything is connected to everything else, including past, present, and future in the simultaneity of spacetime.” This reinforces a key message of the book, which is to not take yourself too seriously as you age and to move gracefully through the inevitable regrets we have.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It is a comforting read in a world where people are obsessed with maintaining their youthfulness. However, you need to get past the hyperbole. Therefore, I am rating this book four out of five stars.

******
The Privilege of Aging
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Olalekan Rahmon
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Post by Olalekan Rahmon »

Well, darlin', I took a good look at this review y'all shared, and I gotta say, this book seems like a mighty fine read. The author, Kamla K. Kapur, delves into the beauty of aging and offers some deep reflections on the journey. Now, the lack of a structured approach might not appeal to everyone, but it adds a personal touch and allows for different interpretations. The language used is mighty poetic and really gets them gears turnin'. It's a refreshing change from all them folks obsessed with stayin' young forever. I reckon I'd give this book a solid four outta five! Captivating twists, kept me guessing until the end.
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Post by Joe Alex 2 »

Kapurs words are rich with insight and they are a comforting reminder to embrace life’s pace and move gracefully through its inevitable challenges. I am going to add this to my reading list.
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Post by Gerry Steen »

Yin Jiang wrote: 20 Dec 2024, 05:06 [Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "The Privilege of Aging" by Kamla K Kapur.]
Book Cover
4 out of 5 stars
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“What is old age but the opportunity to experience yourself and life from another perspective?”

In her book, The Privilege of Aging, Kamla K. Kapur reflects on aging and what it has meant for her thus far. This book is less an autobiography and more a personal reflection. Kapur takes the reader on a journey of introspection. She reflects on people, things, and events that have shaped her journey into and through old age.

I enjoyed reading this book. It was comforting to read the words of someone who is ahead of me in life. Despite being far from being considered old, I generally identified with the struggles that Kapur went through/is going through. For example, she speaks of listening to your body and giving yourself rest when you need to. In a world where it seems like everyone has a side hustle, it is comforting to have someone say it is okay to slow down.

There was no clear structure in this book. Instead, Kapur writes spontaneously, making the book sound more like the ramblings of a grandmother instead of a self-help guide. Personally, this did not faze me. The lack of structure made the reflections more personal and allowed for freedom of interpretation. 

The language in this book is poetic and insightful. For example, Kapur states that “time has become a wide, boundless field, vast as the universe in which everything is connected to everything else, including past, present, and future in the simultaneity of spacetime.” This reinforces a key message of the book, which is to not take yourself too seriously as you age and to move gracefully through the inevitable regrets we have.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It is a comforting read in a world where people are obsessed with maintaining their youthfulness. However, you need to get past the hyperbole. Therefore, I am rating this book four out of five stars.

******
The Privilege of Aging
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
The key message from this book, as you stated in your review, is vital: "to not take yourself too seriously as you age and to move gracefully through the inevitable regrets we have." I wholeheartedly agree with this. I am in my later years. This book can be read in parts and used for reflection. Thank you for this concise and informative review.
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Jackie Holycross
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Post by Jackie Holycross »

I love to see a book that honors aging as a normal and valuable part of life.
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Post by patricia MGBEMENA »

I have always seeing aging as a big blessing and opportunity and I would love to read from Kapur to understand the events of her journey through old age.
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