What is it like to grow old? What struggles do senior citizens face? Why, how do they (we) keep on living?
We do not all blend together. We are not ruined, helpless, a burden. We are not the elderly. We are not old people. Now, still, we're unique. Distinct. Regardless of what we've produced or what happens to our bodies. We each have our own memories and experiences, even if they've been lost and forgotten.' (p. 281-282)
Scribner
an imprint of Simon & Schuster UK
finalist for the Governor General's Literary award
2023
286 pages
(thriller, suspense, science fiction, psychological fiction)
Senior citizen Penny lives alone as age robs her of all she has ever known, all she has loved, all she has thrived to achieve. She tells us about losing her attention span, her cognitive decline, her fading memories, her lost days, and her uncertain present. When she was younger she enjoyed cooking for herself and others. Now she exists on meagre meals. She worked as a bank teller in the same bank for over twenty-five years. Now she has difficulty focusing long enough to read a novel. She was in a long-term committed relationship with a famous artist until death robbed her of his companionship. She regrets not investing more time pursuing her passion--painting. Now it is too late. Now all she can do is live in fear of the end.
The end comes, one day, when she climbs a chair to change a light bulb. She falls and that brings an end to her old life. She has no choice but to begin a new in Six Cedars--a long-term-care facility. In Six Cedars, Penny finds community and friendship; she develops a new appreciation for ageing; she learns that it is not too late to share her art with others.
At times I found We Spread a difficult book to read. I'm 61 years old and some scenes made me apprehensive about my future. But I'm glad I did finish reading this book. The ending is truly heart-warming.
Did you know...
Dyslexic author
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