The Secret Diary of Hendrik Groen, 83 1/4 Years Old Review

The Secret Diary of Hendrik Groen, 83 1/4 Years Old by Hendrik Groen Review- Read June 3rd- July 2nd

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This will be released in America on July 11th. 

I want to first start this review with a little background of the book. This is a fiction novel that was originally published in Amsterdam in 2014 in Dutch. It was then published in the UK in 2016 and then picked up in the United States for publication on July 11th. I had first heard about the book months ago and requested a review copy and was lucky enough to receive a review copy in the mail. This book was written by an anonymous writer that goes by the pseudonym, Hendrik Groen.

I remember when I had first heard about this book months ago and was very intrigued by the fact that this was a daily diary written by an 83-year-old man. Never have I heard about a book like this that was about an older man. Most books written in a diary format that I have heard of are about younger people. This got me wanting to read this book. 

I'll show you a perfect quote from the very beginning of the book that will show you Hendrik's character. 

Tuesday, January 1, 2013

"Another year, and I still don't like old people. Their walker shuffle, their unreasonable impatience, their endless complaints, their tea and cookies, their bellyaching. Me? I am eighty-three years old. " 

That quote is the perfect representation of his character throughout the book. He is an older man who cannot stand older people. He can be considered a curmudgeon but I find more in his character than that. Throughout the novel, we learn bits and pieces about his past and it can get quite sad. I was not expecting this book to be as touching as it is at times. I will say that some of what he says and what is in this story can be off-putting. It took me so long to read because I put it down halfway through and did not pick it up for quite awhile. This is not the type of book that I feel can be read without taking some breaks. Hendrick is a very funny character and I do recommend reading it but it is hard hitting and very sad at parts. 

My favorite part of this book is the fish tank scene. Trust me it is totally worth reading for it. This is a great book that I enjoyed most of the time while reading. I hope they decide to publish the second one here. I would love to read it.