Old Age
A beginner's guide
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- £6.49
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- £6.49
Publisher Description
THE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
'A witty, elegant and unsentimental meditation on the business of getting old' THE TIMES
The notorious baby boomers are approaching the end and starting to plan their final moves in the game of life. ‘What was that all about?’ they’re asking. ‘Was it about acquiring things or changing the world? Was it about keeping all your marbles? Or is the only thing that counts after you’re gone the reputation you leave behind?’ In Old Age: a beginner’s guide, Michael Kinsley answers the questions we are all forced to confront sooner or later.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
In this collection of eight essays, Kinsley (Please Don't Remain Calm), a columnist at Vanity Fair, a New Yorker contributor, and the founder of Slate, proposes somewhat facetiously that life is a game in which all of us are in competition. As such, he asks, what does it mean to "win" at life? Does it pay off to have the most possessions, live the longest, or be remembered best? Kinsley doesn't really present an answer, but it's enjoyable to follow his train of thought. The focus is ultimately on coming to terms with the final chapter of life, which, in Kinsley's case, means coming to terms with being diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. Throughout, Kinsley showcases his fine writing, tackling a potentially depressing subject with a mixture of humor and serious reflection. Though targeted most specifically to Kinsley's own generation of the baby boomers, the book might be helpful for anyone who has a progressive illness. Readers are almost forced to accept the premise of life as competition, as it appears time and again throughout, and some may find this disconcerting. However, Kinsley's superb prose and well-judged tone both frustrated and hopeful for the future make this a valuable book for anyone interested in exploring ideas around life, death, and legacy.
