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scribepub's review
Joosten smashes through our over-sentimentalised ways of talking about old age.
Maria Tumarkin
Thoughtful and honest, this book is a reminder to cherish our elders.
Dr Ranjana Siristava, Author of Tell Me the Truth
[A] fine collection … shows deep commitment and quite profound levels of insight and compassion.
Weekend Australian
Heartening … [Joosten has] a novelist's feel for the texture of life.
Fiona Capp, Sydney Morning Herald
[V]ivid and surprising ... This eloquent collection advocates for the elderly.
Sydney Review of Books
A powerful collection of essays exploring what it means to grow old.
Australian Ageing Agenda
Well written, brimming with empathy ... a thoughtful work by a writer whose social work commitment arose from “a feeling of obligation towards those who do not have the opportunities I have had” ... This book pulls no punches, making it another valuable contribution to the debate we need to have.
GP Speak
Joosten makes a plea for heightened empathy towards older people, but she goes on to make it clear that empathy without action — without changed perceptions, changed behaviour — is insufficient. As such, A Long Time Coming is a challenging as well as eminently readable book.
Patrick Allington, Australian Book Review
[E]motionally wrenching, undeniably powerful piece ... A Long Time Coming is a work that deserves high praise for the persuasive way in which Joosten crafts her arguments toward greater understanding and compassion for older Australians. It’s an exceptional piece of writing, one that will provoke discussion, challenge opinions and, hopefully, inspire change.
Right Now
Maria Tumarkin
Thoughtful and honest, this book is a reminder to cherish our elders.
Dr Ranjana Siristava, Author of Tell Me the Truth
[A] fine collection … shows deep commitment and quite profound levels of insight and compassion.
Weekend Australian
Heartening … [Joosten has] a novelist's feel for the texture of life.
Fiona Capp, Sydney Morning Herald
[V]ivid and surprising ... This eloquent collection advocates for the elderly.
Sydney Review of Books
A powerful collection of essays exploring what it means to grow old.
Australian Ageing Agenda
Well written, brimming with empathy ... a thoughtful work by a writer whose social work commitment arose from “a feeling of obligation towards those who do not have the opportunities I have had” ... This book pulls no punches, making it another valuable contribution to the debate we need to have.
GP Speak
Joosten makes a plea for heightened empathy towards older people, but she goes on to make it clear that empathy without action — without changed perceptions, changed behaviour — is insufficient. As such, A Long Time Coming is a challenging as well as eminently readable book.
Patrick Allington, Australian Book Review
[E]motionally wrenching, undeniably powerful piece ... A Long Time Coming is a work that deserves high praise for the persuasive way in which Joosten crafts her arguments toward greater understanding and compassion for older Australians. It’s an exceptional piece of writing, one that will provoke discussion, challenge opinions and, hopefully, inspire change.
Right Now
wtb_michael's review
3.0
3.5
After the first few essays I had this down as one of the books of the year, but things faded a bit over the second half until the lovely final essay. It felt a bit like Joosten had 3 or 4 really excellent essays and had to squeeze a few more in to make this a whole book - the essay covering fiction and dementia for example seemed pretty underdone. Still - there are wonderfully powerful moments in this book, tackling a topic that is so often ignored - I really would recommend reading it for those moments.
After the first few essays I had this down as one of the books of the year, but things faded a bit over the second half until the lovely final essay. It felt a bit like Joosten had 3 or 4 really excellent essays and had to squeeze a few more in to make this a whole book - the essay covering fiction and dementia for example seemed pretty underdone. Still - there are wonderfully powerful moments in this book, tackling a topic that is so often ignored - I really would recommend reading it for those moments.
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