The Growing Pains of Jennifer Ebert, Aged 19 Going on 91- David M Barnett

What happens if you put university students in with a small group of older people to live?

The Sunset retirement home has taken on a European idea (with funding) to try just that.

They have 5 “more mature” guests and have now taken on four students- Ling, Bo (both

Chinese- business studies), Ringo (real name John-Paul George) and Jennifer

(film studies). All are waiting for rooms in university accommodation that isn’t quite

finished and this provides a solution meanwhile. There are wonderful interactive

moments when the two generations get together as well as the inevitable rows and

generations differences and tolerances.Each chapter is named after a film in the noir

era which is Jenny’s speciality. I loved this- it gave me cause to think. There are some

wise words from both young and old- sometimes we let the world spin around us without

thinking to take a breath. Edna mentions one of my favourite films- the original

(David Lean)version of Great Expectations explaining that Pip “even someone with nothing

could have greatness thrust upon them”.  She also says “ We let things happen to us

, rather than allowing ourselves to influence and change the world…. Whether we are

going to be the sort of person who life happens to, or the sort of person who happens

to life” . A story of hope and past and future, of young and old and somewhere in

between. Of treasuring what is now and what perhaps can’t be but also allowing

yourself to be you. Not always as easy as it first appears.

A brilliant inspiring read. 5**

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Amazon Top 1000 reviewer.