When Ricarda has to find somewhere else to live, a chance encounter with a former friend, Philip, leads to a novel solution: a flatshare with four other retirees. As well as Ricarda and Philip, there’s Uschi who is full of life, Harry, the old-age rebel, and Eckart, the quiet and introverted one. It is a hodgepodge of different personalities and experiences, but living together means escaping the daunting prospect of growing old alone. When Uschi falls ill however, they soon realise just what looking one another in old age really entails, and it begins to take its toll on the group. A tale of five sixty-somethings may not seem all that appealing, certainly to younger readers, but in fact this is a simply lovely book. Pacy and an easy read it doesn’t demand too much time and it’s a nice, warming read for a quiet weekend. Written by a German author, it’s also a great way to sample something a bit different. (JC)
