rating

Pages: 336

ISBN: 978-0307362841

Published: 2015

Sixty - A Diary

by: ​Ian Brown

If you are striding towards the summit or beyond the big six oh, then be prepared to laugh out loud as the author looks into your mind and articulates your fears. This artfully written journal of the year, Globe & Mail, Canadian journalist, Ian Brown turns 60, captures the precipice of old age in the 21^st century. It is an intimate and candid account of his thoughts, fears, health, relationships, and frustrations at growing old. At this age our minds are trailing our bodies by years or even decades. This book was recommended to me by a Norwegian psychologist I met in Costa Rica. He was reading it for the 2^nd time as he found it an impressive account of the psychology of aging during a time and culture where old age is neither fashionable nor worthy of respect. Brown’s life is still very full and active but he is plagued, like most of us, with nagging aches and pains plus fading eyesight, libido, strength, finances and good looks. My only irritation with this book is his whining about finances when he is tripping about England, Europe, skiing one week then staying in a beach hut the next. This smacks of brattish and out of touch with how most people live, even in wealthier nations.

The book is insightful, honest and raw. Brown’s filter is off and his refreshing say-it-like-it-is prose touches the reader with his vulnerability. Brown unites us in our common predicament of growing and old lugging way too much baggage we’ve collected on our journey. Try as we may to lighten our load through our sixties as we try to make the most of what remain of the journey of life. A must read for anyone of a certain age.