Title: Don’t Ever Get Old
Author: Daniel Friedman
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press, 2012
Summary/Review: “Old age is not for sissies”, “Old age isn’t so bad – when you consider the alternative”, (and the more optimistic) “every day I wake up on this side of the grass is a good one.” Aging is inevitable, and if you hit eighty seven with the sharp mind and wit of Baruch “Buck” Schatz, you’re doing fine.
Don’t Ever Get Old is Daniel Freedman’s debut novel about the cigarette smoking, gun toting, wickedly funny former police officer, Buck Schatz, who finds himself drawn into the hunt for a former Nazi war criminal and a fortune in gold. Buck is assisted by his grandson, Tequila, who has a lot to learn from his caustic grandfather. It’s easy to see the tough guy, take no prisoners cop that Buck used to be as he stalks his prey with the help of his more technologically savvy grandson, but Friedman never lets you forget that Buck is closing in on ninety and is facing the serious health and independence issues that old age brings. Rose, his wife of many years, is slowing down and there is the great fear that he will no longer be able to care for her at home. The issues that come with aging are never trivialized yet you know that Buck will definitely not be “going gentle into that good night.”
It would be great to see a Buck Schatz series, though given his age it might be a short one.
Who Will Like This: Anyone who likes a fast paced thriller, no matter how old the protaganist.
If you like this, Try this: I couldn’t help but think of Miss Marple, only a lot edgier, and packing a .357.
Recommended by: Sue D’Num, Library Assistant
Does Buck Schatz sound like your kind of guy? If so, visit the Fairfield Public Library catalog to take a look at its availability and/or to place a hold [link will open in a new window]