Set in Sunset Village condominium retirement community in Florida “The Sunset Gang” is a story about aging where indeed the occupants are not ready to pack it all in and not by a long shot. Sex and romantic love keep the Village bubbling with activity and the old at heart will teach us a lot about living after aren’t they experts.....
This novel is a collection of ten short stories revolving around the retirement village. Apart from old age and living in the same community what connects them all is the fact that they are Jews sharing a language, identity and way of life.
The chapters:
1. Yiddish: brings two people to discover themselves and their love of life again.
2. Itch: is a testament to how lonely old age can be and how they miss the old days.
3. An Unexpected Visit: After a visit with his father the son reflects on his own life.
4. The Detective: tells us how pride can be a huge obstacle.
5. God Made Me That Way: karma brings two elderly together.
6. The Braggart: money is good but does not replace children who care enough to keep in touch.
7. The Demonstration: A man stands up for his people it is all about anti-Semitism, racism and hatred.
8. The Angel of Mercy: death definitely hovers over retirement village. One resident knows when death is around the corner.
9. Poor Herman: two residents meet again after many decades apart and reconnect as they were teenagers.
10. The Home: a scary thought. Too old to make decisions themselves and unable to take care of...a situation many of us will possibly face...
My thoughts:
Each story is of the high quality and is written with the expert pen of a playwright: visual, clever with a touch of humour not forgetting sad moments. The Yiddish language is in parts difficult to follow but I overcame this frustration thanks to Google. This is a decent read, somewhat satisfying but by far not my favourite by this author.
If this is the life in a retirement community....I prefer staying put where I live.....
Thank you, Stonehouse Press and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book.
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