On the Bright Side: The New Secret Diary of Hendrik Groen, 85 Years Old (Hendrik Groen, 2) - Softcover

"You might say he's the Elena Ferrante of the octogenarian set - though whether or not he is actually an octogenarian (or a man) is also anyone's guess...It's an appealing novel with a lot of heart, reminding readers young and old that fun is to be found even in the routine of everyday life. And of course, the possibility that it's more memoir than fiction is delightful."
―New York Post

"Humorous...A realistic and perceptive glimpse into the aging process, shaped by empathy, optimism, and vibrant wit."―Booklist

"I laughed until I cried and then laughed and cried some more."

―David Suchet

"Highly entertaining...Wise and witty, his musings are thought-provoking and relevant to everyone regardless of age, and his delightful and charming personality will win over readers everywhere....ON THE BRIGHT SIDE is the diary of an extraordinary man who lives an ordinary life. He makes an impact on almost everyone he meets, and seeks to understand the crazy world in which he resides. His clever commentary and madcap adventures will leave a long-term impression ... Hendrik Groen is an unforgettable and absolutely spectacular character who readers will wish they could befriend."― Book Reporter

"Delightful...Groen strikes just the right note here with his wit and ironic observations...So warm, touching, and funny that you don't have to be a member of the Old But Not Dead Club to enjoy it."― Library Journal

PRAISE FOR THE SECRET DIARY OF HENDRIK GROEN:
"Amusing [and] wickedly accurate...Reading The Secret Diary, I was constantly put in mind of Ken Kesey's madhouse tale One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest, another comi-tragedy concerning the tyranny of institutions of the unwanted. Enjoy Groen's light touch but do not be fooled by it....The Secret Diary is a handbook of resistance for our time."
―The Express (UK)


"Funny and frank - a story with a great deal of heart."
―Graeme Simsion, New York Times bestselling author of The Rosie Project

"A story about how friendship, selflessness and dignity lie at the heart of the human experience. When I'm an old man, I want to be Hendrik Groen."―John Boyne, internationally bestselling author of The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas

"Funny, tragic, and sometimes heart-rending."―Het Parool (Holland)


"Hendrik Groen is king. My mother, 78, suffers from dementia. Doesn't read a newspaper or magazine anymore, only old photo albums can grab her attention for longer than 5 minutes. Hendrik made her laugh out loud and she was reading for a good half hour."―Ray Kluun, author of Love Life