Episode 4: Elderly Protagonists
Summary: Today, Holly and Devin rave about books with elderly protagonists. They review how older characters open up books to touch on other themes beyond youthful searches for meaning. Themes of death, illness, health concerns unite both books, but so do themes of change, renewal, vigor, and fulfillment at any age. They end by agreeing that they want more books focusing on elderly protagonists and that it’s a theme they’re both drawn to.
Topics Discussed:
The Heart (2:24): Devin discussed Its Not All Downhill From Here by Terry McMillan, a book centered around a group of female friends as they explore how to make the most of their late 60s and grapple with relationship challenges, health concerns, and what it means to not give up in old age. Her key takeaways were:
While not a true romance novel, there are romantic elements threaded throughout the novel; these friends discuss love and sex, look for love, find love, break up, try online dating, and validate that you can crave intimacy and connection at any age.
Told from the first-person perspective of Loretta “Lo” Curry, the reader gets a front-row seat into her white lies, her not-so-white lies, her opinions of her friends, and her grief, hope, despair, fear, and excitement through the novel.
McMillan does a lot of work setting up what “downhill” would look like for this group of friends, covering health concerns, financial issues, family challenges, and despair at aging; the turning point doesn’t come until 75% through the book, but the resolution is satisfying and meaningful.
The Dagger (21:03): Holly discussed The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman, a book that follows a quartet of folks in a retirement community who gather once a week to discuss cold cases, until they land with a very warm case with a murder in their own community. Her key takeaways were:
This murder mystery feels at times cute, jaunty and warm but there are definite dark elements and a clear sense that, even though they’re investigating the murder, any of the characters could be guilty or involved.
Osman creates a vibe where Louise Penny mysteries meet A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman, with dark humor as well as moments of sudden depth (and death).
Ultimately, the mystery itself was a little convoluted and opaque, but the way Osman treats aging, grief, dementia, and meaning for these characters with care and humor.
Hot On the Shelf (35:57):
What’s Making Our Hearts Race (41:09):
Holly: Binging Agatha Christie on audiobook
Devin: The 2022 Winter Olympics
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