A hopeful, life-affirming novel that can impart the courage needed to tackle old age.
Riding off into the sunset isn’t all it’s cracked up to be for Barry Swanson. Scoring an apartment at the exclusive Blue Loon Village might be a great opportunity for senior living, but it means giving up the home he shared with his wife, coming to terms with his widowhood, and figuring out how to spend his remaining years with as little human interaction as possible. The community is too friendly for his liking but the retirement home is brand new, so at least his germophobic side can relax a bit. Barry quickly settles into a predictable routine of isolation with only a pet gecko for company, but his calm retirement is turned upside down when he gets reacquainted with an old high-school sweetheart. Beth, also a septuagenarian, is less inclined to spend her final years without purpose. Seven decades’ worth of ambitions are hard to contain in the body of an elderly woman, so with Barry as an irritable but willing partner, the pair set off on an adventure only the retired-of-heart could envision. Wanting to make a difference in the world, even if their contribution is small, Beth and Barry take up The Silver Squad moniker and embark on a Robin-Hood-esque crusade to right as many wrongs as they can. Each small victory emboldens them and these golden heroes realize that age isn’t just a number, it’s an opportunity for those willing to take the risk.
A delightful mix of observational humor, introspection, and respectful affection for the older generation, The Silver Squad: Rebels With Wrinkles is a scenic road trip through the country with a gratifying destination. Essen avoids the melodrama and melancholy often associated with more mature protagonists and instead propels the stalwart storyline with lighthearted senior moments to anchor Barry and Beth’s noble quest. Beth’s comment early on sets the tone for the entire book. “Either one of us could croak at any minute! Going slow is for the young.” And nothing goes slow in this action-forward novel! From robbing a SPAM delivery man to thwarting a shooter, this rowdy, righteous adventure is as relentless as it is rewarding. Nothing is predictable as these silver-haired vigilantes adopt the guise of guardians, spies, superheroes, and celebrities, but their best role is as two friends reconnecting after a lifetime apart. Warm, wild, and a little naughty, The Silver Squad is a hopeful, life-affirming novel that can impart the courage needed to tackle old age.
