Dr Ravi Kapoor has reached the end of his tether. He is over-worked and exhausted; his South London hospital is out of funds; and reporters are hounding him about a pensioner, who for three days lay on a trolley in A and E, untended, the blood stiffening on her clothes. Even home life has become impossible, as his father-in-law, a disgusting and difficult old man, has been kicked out of his nursing home and has moved into Ravi's spare bedroom. But then that 'tip top man', his cousin, Sonny, has his brainwave, his 'great eureka'. These Foolish Things is about Dunroamin, a converted guesthouse in Bangalore, where Sonny opens a home for old people. Travel and set-up are inexpensive, staff willing and plentiful - and the British pensionsers can enjoy the hot weather and take mango juice with their gin. Skilfully inter-weaving the stories of the inhabitants of Dunroamin, their characters and their families, Deborah Moggach has created a world in which hilarity is matched with the poignancy of getting old, and comedy with the darker issues of care in the community.
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These Foolish Things, a kind of less savage version of Kingsley Amis's unbearably funny novel Ending Up. Moggach's prose is markedly more graceful than Agatha Christie's, her moral world is not dissimilar', The Times .'It is characterisation at which Moggach excels. Her gift is to perceive and describe our confusions about life-and to write with feeling about the continual quest for love and happiness that is part of the human condition', Sunday Times
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Also a major film starring Maggie Smith, Bill Nighy, Dev Patel, Tom Wilkinson, Judi Dench, Penelope Wilton and Celia Imrie
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
94 of 99 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Her best novel since Tulip Fever, this is a brilliantly funny book about how to the elderly Britain has become a foreign country. An overworked India doctor sets up a retirement home in India, and a group of quirky pensioners make what is probably their last journey to where the Empire's sun never sets. The young Indians they meet are as clean and respectful as young British people are not - fascinated by details of their mundane lives which could make them convincing telesales workers. Yet there are complicated connections with the past which gradually emerge, and an unexpected romance. A wonderful, stylish, touching and bitter-sweet story about what Kingsley Amis called Ending Up.
142 of 151 people found the following review helpful
By Jazellie
Format:Kindle Edition
I enjoyed reading this book. It ends up being quite a heartwarming story but it does take you on the journey of 'what have I done with my life' as all the characters in the book are asking the same thing as they are reaching the end of their lives. I had not seen the film before reading the book but knew which actors where playing which characters and it made the book live even more. It balances the needs, hopes and aspirations of older people who feel invisible in todays society with the lives of their children/friends and the world they now live in.
63 of 67 people found the following review helpful
By Bookie
TOP 500 REVIEWER
Format:Kindle Edition
So this is a marketing opportunity for These Foolish Things by Moggach........but does it matter? In my view, not at all. Same book, different title. This title links with the film. Haven't seen the film, but it appeals and I prefer to read the book before viewing.
Not my usual read, but sometimes a change is as good as a rest. What an unexpected pleasure; I really enjoyed this book. Basically, it take an eclectic mix of geriatrics and displaces them, by choice, to another world and time. The glorious days of the half remembered past mix with the relity of the present. The characters are so diverse and so individual, I was drawn in to their experiences. Who are they and why are they there at the latter end of life? This is a well drawn tale of people; their foibles and hopes. It's a story of the challenges of diversity; culture, age, gender, self belief.........
I had no great expectation of this book, but I left it, unexpectedly, feeling upbeat. It is bitter sweet. It's not all light and fluffy, but Moggach's prose is tight, easy to read. The characters are totally engaging and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I'm looking forward to the film and hope it does justice to the prose.
Not my usual read, but sometimes a change is as good as a rest. What an unexpected pleasure; I really enjoyed this book. Basically, it take an eclectic mix of geriatrics and displaces them, by choice, to another world and time. The glorious days of the half remembered past mix with the relity of the present. The characters are so diverse and so individual, I was drawn in to their experiences. Who are they and why are they there at the latter end of life? This is a well drawn tale of people; their foibles and hopes. It's a story of the challenges of diversity; culture, age, gender, self belief.........
I had no great expectation of this book, but I left it, unexpectedly, feeling upbeat. It is bitter sweet. It's not all light and fluffy, but Moggach's prose is tight, easy to read. The characters are totally engaging and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I'm looking forward to the film and hope it does justice to the prose.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
2.0 out of 5 stars
A disappointing book
Despite the success of this book and of the film that came out of it, I found it a rather tedious affair, poorly written and with a succession of rather unappealing characters
Published 1 hour ago by Mr. A. J. Downs
3.0 out of 5 stars
not one of the nicest books i bought
It was described es good, i describe it as acceptabel. But i have enjoyed the story.
Greeting, L. de Jong
Greeting, L. de Jong
Published 1 day ago by LR
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Joys of Getting Older
Very funny and a true reflection about common misconceptions of growing older. I'm 77 and still 'up for it'. Read more
Published 3 days ago by Isobel Hamid
3.0 out of 5 stars
Good
Good read but found it depressing, unlike the film which I thought was excellent and quite funny. I found no humour in the book and since it goes on about a decrepit 73 year old... Read more
Published 4 days ago by Manxgirl
5.0 out of 5 stars
Moving and funny!
What a wonderful idea Deborah Moggach had for this book which was a good read and the movie which followed was equally as good although I feel one should read the book before... Read more
Published 7 days ago by Miss D Knights
5.0 out of 5 stars
Good read
Shame I couldn't read the last 5mins come on kindle improvements technologically still needed ,apart from that good easy reading
Published 9 days ago by bob
4.0 out of 5 stars
funny
This book was terribly funny in parts but tended to become boring in parts. Nevertheless I would recommend to others.
Published 11 days ago by Issy
3.0 out of 5 stars
Nice easy read....
Once your into the book. It's hard at first to remember who all the people are but once you do the book is a nice book with interesting people which makes you realize your never to... Read more
Published 12 days ago by gemziblulou
2.0 out of 5 stars
Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.
As a sixties hippy I was dying to read this book and expected anarchy combined with the mysticism of mannerly India. Read more
Published 13 days ago by Mrs. C. M. Atkins
1.0 out of 5 stars
Duplicate
I need to read reviews before buying books, I have already got The Marigold Hotel and bought this one not realising it was the same story, I am very annoyed about it.
Published 13 days ago by kirsty
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