How to Age Disgracefully

Pick it up: If you're in the mood for a hilarious light read. If you'd like to get a fresh perspective on ageing.

How to Age Disgracefully by Clare Pooley features a cast of vibrant and unconventional characters brought together at a London senior citizens' social club. The story centers around Daphne, a seventy-year-old woman with a hidden past who has spent years trying to remain invisible. Daphne has few social skills but as she turns seventy, she makes a resolution to try and make some friends. This does not come easily to her.

When Daphne comes across a local ad inviting seniors to join the local community centre (it used to be called the Mandela Community centre, but the 'a' fell off at some point and they didn't have the budget to replace it), she rolls her eyes, expecting gentle crafting activities. She signs up anyway, because of her resolution to meet people. Instead, she finds a group of equally quirky individuals, including a kleptomaniac former actor named Art, his best friend William who is a retired pap, a mobility scooter-riding, former truck driver called Anna, and a yarn-bombing enthusiast called Ruby. There is Lydia, the timid coordinator of the club who is trying to regain a sense of identity through this job. And finally Ziggy, a teenager who finds himself mixed up with the old folks.

When the local council threatens to close the community center, this unlikely group of seniors, along with Ziggy and a dog they've all inherited (called Margaret Thatcher), band together to save it. Their unorthodox methods and surprising skills lead to a series of humorous and ridiculous events.

The novel is consistently funny in its exploration of the unexpected joys of aging, the importance of friendship and community, and the fact that it's never too late to embrace life and cause a little delightful chaos.