Old Friends

There are many reviews about Old Friends that start off with, "this was hard to read." I have to wonder how many of those reviewers are administrators at retirement/nursing/convalescent homes. Do they see their own facilities as described by Kidder? It is easy to flash back to the experiences of a loved one in such a place. My own grandparents lingered in nursing homes until their deaths. I can remember the overwhelming smell of antiseptic and urine; my father reading an activity board and commenting on a "mystery" ride. "Just don't get into any any black, squared vehicles" he quipped. Funny, But not. Kidder's account of life inside Linda Manor is frank and unflinching. He also writes with a profound sensitivity, introducing patients as show more people with past lives and present feelings. They aren't subjects used to illustrate a point. You feel for these people because their character development is as fleshed out as if it were a fictional account. It's beautiful in a haunting way. show less

Beautiful. Pure, clean writing that made me less afraid of nursing homes, disabled old people, and my own aging. I still don't want to stick around after I'm no longer able to read or use the bathroom by myself, because I know that most folks aren't as well cared for as those at Linda Manor, but that's irrelevant. What is relevant is that Kidder is an amazing writer, and I was sad when this book was over and I had to say goodbye to all the folks I got to know and care about.

This book was very difficult for me to get through, not because it was poorly written but quite the contrary. Kidder's lucent prose brings the sadness and loneliness of the nursing home to vivid life. It's possible that reading this soon after my own grandmother died, much diminished, was unwise. It's haunting and frightening and well-done but I can't say I liked it. I suffered through it in an agony of projection and reflection and grief. Even so, I recommend it- if for nothing else than to bring you into the present, wonderful moment. Take big bites now, before it's too late.

I never tire of Tracy Kidder’s writing. I’ve read most of his books, including the Pulitzer Prize winner Soul of a New Machine. This book, Old Friends, is written in Kidder’s typical fly on the wall style. It’s about the residents at Linda Manor nursing home. We spend time with a variety of patients, from the quaint to the bizarre. Some of the relationships are touching, especially the one between Joe and Lou, two unlikely friends from two different generations. Many of the stories are heart wrenching and almost too difficult to finish. Being in my late 60s, I probably shouldn’t be reading books about life inside nursing homes, but I can’t resist Tracy Kidder. This book, like all his others, is a gem.

On one hand, bittersweet story of two men who become roomates and, eventually, friends, at a retirement home. On the other hand, an indictment of the way we treat the elderly in the U.S. Highly recommended, along with his other books.

This is a sort of year-long documentary about the residents and staff of a Massachusetts nursing home, primarily two men (Joe in his 70s and Lou in his 90s) who grow from being irritated with one another when placed as roommates, to becoming caring friends. Kidder’s narrative is open-eyed and compassionate.

The Soul of an Old Machine. The first of the authors books I read was: Soul of a New Machine. It was a wonderful and informative read. I have read all three authors books since then. As I am almost 80 myself I found the book very interesting. The nursing home residents were all brought to life; shown to have soul. I was surprised that things took place the nineties. The nursing home wasn’t as depersonalizing as I expected. It was published in the 90s. Guess I missed it when it came out.