Early Bird: A Memoir of Premature Retirement

This book starts off with a 28 year old Rothman losing his job as a television comedy writer and deciding to "retire early" to a senior community in Florida. The premise reads like the plot of a dumb sitcom and the cornball style of writing in the early going of this book almost made me put it down. Somewhere along the way the book changes its tone. First, Ro thman finds himself unable to leave after the joke has played out and second he begins to see the humanity of the elderly people living in retirement in South Florida and even makes some friends. He also makes some wry observations of the cliques and petty gossip in the community that should disabuse anyone of escaping these things with the wisdom of old age. Overall, its enjoyable show more book with some funny bits and some insightful bits that makes it just good enough to barely overcomes its weak start. show less

It was written in a humorous vein, and thus kept my attention. Although there are 16 book club discussion questions, I didn't find anything profound enough to note down here.

He spent perhaps 6 months in a retirement community in Florida at age 28. I felt betrayed as I gradually came to realize that he did it just to write a book about it.

I was also unimpressed by the author's disregard for morality. I did finish reading it. It was an easy read, and this was another attempt to experience a book club. Unfortunately, it was a book club in name only with activity only every 6 months, and totally different participants every time. It was a company sponsored club and participants were rotated by the organizers, so I only got to attend once.

I show more liked it so little that I got rid of the copy I was given. show less

I was one of the only bookclub members who didn't love it, probably because I'm one of the only bookclub members not actually retired. It was cute, but kind of dragged on. And no offense, but I wouldn't date you either, Rodney.

This was an interesting insight into the world of retirement and elderly people. Rothman spends more than six months in a retirement community to get a feel for what retirement is like. The book made me feel empathetic towards the elderly, allowing me to glimpse life from a new perspective. I liked getting to know the cliques within the community as well as the individuals who formed the cliques. Rothman's writing style is casual, allowing for a personal account of the time spent in the retirement community. It was an unexpectedly good read.

i probably should've have forked over another star for this book because it was, maybe, "ok/" BUT when you have testimonials from Jon Stewart, Greg Behrendt, Nick Hornby, Dave Eggers, AND Sarah Vowell on the back of your book...well then, "ok" kinda seems like a one-star situation.

Kind of a fun book. Lots of meaning for those of us who live in a retirement community. It reminds one of retired people shown in TV shows like: The Odd Couple and Seinfeld. Caricatured people, but pleasantly done. I read this book over and over.. at least the first part.. but I don't know if I'll ever finish it. Even though I like it, it loses me.. surely some fellow senior citizens can't be so rude.. or so dumb!

3/20/10: reread--still laugh out loud hilarious!