I've just finished this book and have read through earlier reviews before posting my own. I was surprised to see so many GNers didn't enjoy it or didn't find the humour and pathos that I felt was excellently portrayed.
Having read and enjoyed 'The 100 year old Man who Climbed Out of a Window and Disappeared' and 'The Extraordinary Life of Frank Derrick, Age 81' I wasn't sure I would enjoy this. Sometimes something is lost in translation into English, but certainly not this time. Many years ago I shared an office at a residential care home and I was immediately transported back there to the world of those who make the rules for others' benefit, and how the only people those rules benefited were the management and staff, not the residents.
There is a developing trend in some areas to build this type of elderly accommodation whereby increasing care is available to residents as they need it, without having to go through moving from family home to sheltered to nursing to (sometimes) locked ward care, with small supermarket, doctor, podiatrist, hairdresser etc all on site. I live in sheltered accommodation myself and could easily identify with some of Hendrik's neighbours. Originally this building had a matron and 'home from hospital' unit but that has been done away with and residents are encouraged to be independent, but with emergency assistance at the end of a pull cord system.
I was moved by the way Hendrik's history was gradually brought to light and the way diabetes, dementia, and stroke were handled with sympathy and understanding for the individual's wishes. The duty visits by (some) family members was also delicately but realistically shown, as was the attitude of those whose only pleasure was to be cantankerous and miserable. There is a core group of residents here who organise or join in with everything going and who offer that time and attention to those who may need a friendly face or someone to look out for them from time to time.
I loved the diary-style of writing and the matter-of-fact way of dealing with tragedy. I understand this is not to everyone's taste but I found it realistic and look forward to the further adventures of Hendrik Groen.