This is an entertaining book that could have easily gone awry. But Sandlin does an expert job of dodging some of the pitfalls. What kind of pitfalls? Well, it’s set in an old folks’ home in the San Francisco area in the near future (10-20 years – near enough for you). Pitfall one avoided – cute old people that you don’t believe. Pitfall two avoided – hippie clichés (almost all the residents have some touch point with the counter-culture of the 60’s). Pitfall three avoided (which can happen to any book and does happen to far too many) – building to an unbelievable climax and even more unbelievable resolution.

Sandlin avoids them all, creating a believable group of old people who happen to have a hippie background and many an axe to grind. They take over the home and begin to relive their revolutionary youth. Throughout, Sandlin makes their story believable. The characters are well developed and, even if you are not completely happy with the way things wind up, it is believable.

Not all pitfalls were avoided, but the ones that crop up are minor. A few times the text slips into the present tense (it appears this was done on purpose) for no good reason that I can fathom – a small distraction. Sandlin also gets a little too cute with his portrait of the future with many “humorous” blendings of pop culture and politics. (The governor of California is Daisy Barrymore.) And, while this one didn’t feel like a pitfall to me, others may think there was just a little too much emphasis on the senior citizen sex – but that is more a warning to your own personal pitfall; I didn’t see it as a problem

The person who recommended it to me indicated it wasn’t that good, but I disagree. And I wonder if it was the blurbs that misled him. You might be expecting laugh out loud funny. That isn’t the case. But the book is actually better for not having gone for the belly laughs. The book is funny and charming and engrossing and one I will remember for quite a while. ( )

simply joyful. i laughed, i cried, i went on a trip into the not so distant future...a must read for anyone who loves Tim Sandlin, the sixties, or just a great story. ( )

Love the premise: boomers in an elderly care facility in 2022. I had good fun with this because the situation is farcical (okay, silly) but poignant at the same time. I was hooked as soon as I heard the client-based band playing for the Friday night sock hop was called Acid Reflux. Sandlin shows a tough love to the old coots. Lots to laugh at--and ponder. ( )

What happens when the hippies become residents in a retirement community? Sex, Drugs and Rock & Roll happens. Respect and Mr. Scratchy…turns into nonviolent direct action…turns into anarchy happens.

A very funny book dealing with real aging issues in between the laughs.