From the bestselling author Judith Viorst comes a witty and poignant exploration of the joys and sorrows of lifeâs twilight yearsâone that leaves us laughing, pondering, and grateful for the moments we have left.
In a career that has spanned more than fifty years, Judith Viorst has captivated readers with her bestselling childrenâs books and collections of poetry reflecting on each decade of life. Now in her nineties, Viorst writes about lifeâs âFinal Fifth,â those who are eighty to one hundred years old. Her signature blend of humor and vulnerability infuses personal anecdotes and observations, drawing you into her world of memories and candid conversations.
She confesses, âI never ever send a text while driving, and not just because I donât know how to text.â She discusses the afterlife (She doesnât believe in it, but if it exists, she hopes her sister-in-law isnât there). She complains to her dead husband (âI need you fixing our damn circuit breakers. I need you! Could you please stop being dead?â). And she explores the late-life meanings of wisdom and happiness and second chances and home.
With a wit that defies age, Viorst navigates the terrain of loss. Itâs a poignant dance between grief and levity that will resonate with those in their Final Fifth as well as anyone who has parents, relatives, or friends in their eighties and beyond. This is Judith Viorst at her best.