Growing Old Disgracefully

The Single Ladies Of Jacaranda Retirement Village by Joanna Nell is the most delightful novel about love and friendship and life.

Life is for living whether you are eight or eighty. “The person inside doesn’t change just because a few years have passed.”

The novel explores how frustrating it can be when you are treated as old and infirm. Being older in years does not equal deaf and daft. If we are still breathing, we can have fun.

The residents of the retirement village are well past their first flush of youth and had forgotten how to live until a sprightly seventy nine year old breezes in and shows them how to grow old disgracefully. There are some very amusing moments as words are forgotten or substituted. Malapropisms are the order of the day.

This is a beautiful book that captures some charming and very touching moments. It is a book about a deep love – first for a husband and then for a friendship rekindled, as well as for a small dog. There were some lovely interactions with his owner.

This is a charming read. It will make you laugh. It will make you cry. And it will leave you smiling.

I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.

JULIA WILSON