Making the Best of What's Left
When We're Too Old to Get the Chairs Reupholstered
Table of Contents
About The Book
In a career that has spanned more than fifty years, Judith Viorst has captivated readers with her bestselling children’s books and collections of poetry reflecting on each decade of life. Now in her nineties, Viorst writes about life’s “Final Fifth,” those who are eighty to one hundred years old. Her signature blend of humor and vulnerability infuses personal anecdotes and observations, drawing you into her world of memories and candid conversations.
She confesses, “I never ever send a text while driving, and not just because I don’t know how to text.” She discusses the afterlife (She doesn’t believe in it, but if it exists, she hopes her sister-in-law isn’t there). She complains to her dead husband (“I need you fixing our damn circuit breakers. I need you! Could you please stop being dead?”). And she explores the late-life meanings of wisdom and happiness and second chances and home.
With a wit that defies age, Viorst navigates the terrain of loss. It’s a poignant dance between grief and levity that will resonate with those in their Final Fifth as well as anyone who has parents, relatives, or friends in their eighties and beyond. This is Judith Viorst at her best.
Appearances
Reading Group Guide
Topics and Questions for Discussion:
1. How does Judith Viorst's portrayal of widowhood challenge common stereotypes about aging and loss?
2. In what ways does Viorst use humor to cope with the difficulties of losing her husband and adjusting to life in a retirement community?
3. How does her connection to her former home influence her sense of identity and belonging after the move?
4. What insights does Viorst provide about the practical aspects of preparing for widowhood, and how can these lessons be applied to our own lives?
5. How does Viorst depict the societal perceptions of aging, and what implications does this have for how older adults are treated?
6. In what ways do the stories and experiences of other widows and widowers enrich Viorst's narrative and offer various perspectives on grief?
7. How does the concept of community play a role in Viorst's recovery and adaptation to her new life?
8. How does Viorst’s exploration of mental decline and cognitive changes resonate with or challenge your own views on aging?
9. What roles do apologies and expressions of love serve in maintaining relationships during a long marriage, according to Viorst?
10. How does Viorst address the tension between independence and the need for help as one ages, and what lessons can be drawn from her experiences?
11. What are some of the ways Viorst suggests older adults can continue to find joy and purpose after significant losses, and how realistic are these suggestions?
12. How does Viorst’s reflection on her relationship with her husband underscore the importance of companionship in making the best of the later years of life?
ENHANCE YOUR BOOK CLUB
The Shifting Landscape of Identity: How does Viorst's exploration of her changing identity as a widow speak to broader societal expectations and pressures placed on women, especially as they age? Consider gender roles and ageism. How does the book challenge or reinforce these norms?
The Power and Limitations of Connection: Viorst frequently discusses the importance of community and relationships. What are the challenges of maintaining meaningful connections in later life, as portrayed in the book? How might technology and social media both help and hinder these connections?
Finding Meaning in the Face of Mortality: Viorst grapples with her own mortality and the meaning of life. How does her perspective on legacy and purpose evolve throughout the book? Does her approach to these existential questions offer comfort or provocation?
The Role of Humor in Coping with Loss: How does Viorst use humor to navigate difficult emotions, and what does this suggest about the power of laughter in the face of adversity?
About The Author
Judith Viorst is the author of the beloved Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day, which has sold some four million copies; the Lulu books, including Lulu and the Brontosaurus; the New York Times bestseller Necessary Losses; four musicals; and poetry for children and adults. Her most recent books of poetry include What Are You Glad About? What Are You Mad About? and Nearing Ninety. She lives in Washington, DC.
Product Details
- Publisher: Simon & Schuster (April 1, 2025)
- Length: 192 pages
- ISBN13: 9781668068014
Raves and Reviews
"The great humorist, poet, and observer of life passages turns her attention to the 'Final Fifth' of life. . . . We should all be in such fine form in our 10th decade. Viorst is as charming, and smart, as ever."
– Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
“Judith Viorst has chronicled our century with wit, wisdom and an unflinching eye for the agonies and absurdities of ordinary family life. Now in her nineties, and in the shadow of her husband’s recent death, she offers an exhilarating meditation on final chapters: how to grasp the richness and grace that remains, even as much slips away.”
– Geraldine Brooks, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Memorial Days and March
"Writer and poet Viorst may be in what she calls the 'Final Fifth of Life,' but she’s every bit as witty and observant as she always was. . . . Readers of a similar age will be nodding along and be reminded to be grateful for the time they have left."
– Booklist (starred review)
Resources and Downloads
High Resolution Images
- Book Cover Image (jpg): Making the Best of What's Left Hardcover 9781668068014
- Author Photo (jpg): Judith Viorst by Milton Viorst(0.1 MB)
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