When I Was Young & In My Prime

Alayna Munce
Nightwood Editions (2005)
ISBN 0889712093
Reviewed by Beverly Pechin for Reader Views (3/06)

An eclectic collection of prose, poetry, letters, thoughts and ideas from various people involved with the loved one aging. The author shows different thoughts, from those who are aging to those who are simply bystanders and combines them into a work of art. At times sad, at times absolutely happy and touching, it completely sums up our life as humans and growing old. From watching the grandparents age, she begins her own journey to understanding, or perhaps appreciating, the idea of growing older and wiser.

The book takes one family and shows various thoughts, sometimes just a few words, spoken by them to sum up what they are experiencing. While the grandmother has Alzheimer's, the grandfather watches his life change before his eyes, with nothing he can do to make a difference really... yet he somehow accepts the road he is given. In the end they show that things aren't always what we think and perhaps growing old, while it may not be 'pretty' or what we would like, isn't really all that bad when you have loved ones to share it with. The family enjoys memories and you get glimpses of one moment from different views.

A very interesting and deep book that, while it doesn't take a lot of concentration, somehow gets deep into the thoughts of a family growing old together. I loved the way the author uses not only letters and chapters, but short prose, words scrambled across the page, artistic values to convey the thoughts of many involved.

I think “When I Was Young & In My Prime” is a wonderful book for anyone, young or old, to see that life changes as we go along and while we often think of old age being a bad thing, perhaps it's not always. Perhaps the memories we have, the feelings we get and the times we continue to make together are enough to keep us content.

Excellent, artistic and fresh.

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