Introduction
Riotous Retirement is a collection of 15 humorous short stories. The book explores aging, community living, and the dynamics within retirement villages, which are increasingly relevant topics as populations age. It offers a light-hearted approach to discussing the challenges and absurdities of retirement, potentially providing insights into social dynamics and personal adjustments in later life. Riotous Retirement centers on the fictional Burnside Retirement Village, a community for individuals over 55. The stories, which are best read in order, revolve around the lives and interactions of its residents, showcasing their quirks, friendships, and conflicts.
Ratings
Goodreads 4.2/5.0 (fewer than 100 ratings)
Amazon 4.6/5.0 (fewer than 100 ratings)
Top three themes
Riotous Retirement presents itself as a collection of 15 short stories set in the fictional Burnside Retirement Village, meant to be read in order. The authors suggest that the book will appeal differently to younger and older audiences, with the former group laughing at the characters and the latter laughing with them.
Humor in aging. The book seems to rely on humor arising from the situations and characters found within a retirement village. The introduction suggests that the stories are humorous, though some are funnier than others. The characters, such as Gabriel and Brenda Bovary, find themselves in comical situations as they navigate retirement village life. The humor seems to stem from poking fun at the challenges and eccentricities of aging and community living.
Community dynamics. A key theme appears to be the interactions and relationships among the residents. The stories depict how individuals adjust to communal living, make new friends, and deal with conflicts or disagreements. There is a focus on the roles and personalities within the village, such as the manager Helga, the caretaker Alex, and the various residents who contribute to the community’s dynamic. The ways that community members like Gabriel and Brenda engage with or challenge the norms of the retirement village is a central topic.
Stereotypes and caricatures. The excerpt suggests that the book employs stereotypes and caricatures for comedic effect. Characters like Gabriel, with his obsession with his French ancestry, and Liz Waverly, with her mobility scooter antics, embody certain stereotypes associated with retirees. The book seems to exaggerate these traits for humorous purposes, potentially offering a satirical take on retirement village life.
Key points
- “Persuading Gabriel”: This initial story sets the stage by introducing Gabriel and Brenda Bovary and their debate about moving to a retirement village. Gabriel’s resistance and Brenda’s determination highlight the differing perspectives and motivations that often drive such decisions.
- “Open Day”: The open day at Burnside Retirement Village serves as a backdrop to introduce a range of characters and dynamics. Helga Marchmont’s strategies for attracting the “beautiful people” and Alex’s role in managing the event provide insight into the sales-driven environment of the village. The chaotic events involving the “Freeloader Family” and Brenda’s jam-covered skirt exemplify the unpredictable nature of community events.
- “The Pink Dog”: Gabriel and Brenda’s purchase of the most expensive villa in Burnside Retirement Village underscores themes of status and competition within the community. Gabriel’s anxieties about the quality of new villas and his subsequent break-in to inspect them lead to humorous consequences, such as soiling the carpets with his and his dog’s muddy footprints. The incident reveals Gabriel’s tendency to create mischief and Brenda’s role in managing the fallout.
- “Sustainability”: Helga tries to implement sustainability rules, but Gabriel interferes and ends up stuck in a drain after attempting to find out if red paint had been poured down it. Duncan also defies the rules through killing native wildlife.
Author’s perspective
The authors, Brian Robertson and Ron Smallwood, draw on observations of retirement communities to create their stories. While their backgrounds are not detailed in the text, their collaborative writing style and acknowledgement of input from wives and other readers suggest a community-oriented approach to storytelling. The inclusion of verses by Shirley Clark and cartoons by Gary Young indicates a multi-faceted creative vision. The authors’ note that the stories are “fictitious and any resemblance to real persons living or dead is neither concocted or devised and is purely coincidental,” suggesting that they aim to entertain rather than represent real-life events.
Strengths
- Humorous exploration: The book excels at finding humor in the everyday situations and challenges of retirement village life. The stories offer a light-hearted take on aging, social interactions, and personal quirks.
- Character-driven narratives: The characters are well-defined and contribute to the comedic effect. Gabriel’s antics, Brenda’s exasperation, Helga’s management style, and Alex’s caretaking duties create a cast of personalities that drive the narrative.
- Relatable themes: The book touches on universal themes such as friendship, community, competition, and the search for purpose in later life. These themes resonate with readers who have experienced or observed similar dynamics in their own communities.
Weaknesses
- Reliance on stereotypes: The book’s use of stereotypes may be seen as a weakness by some readers. While these caricatures contribute to the humor, they may also oversimplify complex experiences and reinforce potentially harmful generalizations about older adults.
- Fictionalized scenarios: The stories might not reflect the full spectrum of experiences within retirement villages. The authors acknowledge that the events are not necessarily realistic, which may limit the book’s value as a source of insight into real-world issues.
- Uneven humor: As the authors admit, some stories may be funnier than others. This could lead to a somewhat inconsistent reading experience, with some stories failing to resonate with all readers.
Target audience
- Retirees and older adults: Readers in this demographic may find the stories relatable and humorous, offering a light-hearted reflection on their own experiences in retirement communities.
- Adult children of retirees: Individuals with parents or relatives in retirement villages may gain a better understanding of the dynamics and challenges of this lifestyle.
- Readers interested in social commentary: The book offers a satirical take on community living, aging, and social interactions, which may appeal to those interested in social commentary.
Similar books
Riotous Retirement could be compared to other humorous books that explore community living or aging, such as those focusing on quirky small towns or unconventional retirement communities.
Differentiation
What sets this book apart is its focus on the humorous aspects of retirement village life. While other books may address the challenges and serious issues related to aging, Riotous Retirement offers a more light-hearted and entertaining perspective. The combination of short stories, verses, and cartoons adds to its unique appeal.
Conclusion
Riotous Retirement offers a humorous and entertaining look at life in a retirement village. While its reliance on stereotypes and fictionalized scenarios may not appeal to all readers, its light-hearted approach, relatable themes, and well-defined characters make it an enjoyable read for those interested in the lighter side of aging and community living.
Frequently asked questions
Is this book only for retirees?
No, according to the introduction, the authors hope the stories will interest everyone. They suggest younger readers may laugh “at” the characters, while older readers might laugh “with” them, implying a broader appeal.
How seriously should I take the events in the stories?
The book contains a disclaimer stating that all characters and events are fictitious and coincidental. The authors also note that the stories might not unfold exactly as they would in reality, suggesting that the quality of the storytelling is more important than strict realism. Therefore, readers should focus on the humor and themes rather than factual accuracy.
What are some of the central themes explored in the book?
Community Dynamics: The book explores the dynamics within a retirement village, highlighting interactions, relationships, and adjustments to communal living. Stories revolve around the residents, the village manager Helga, and caretaker Alex.
Aging and Retirement: Riotous Retirement touches on various aspects of aging and retirement. These include adapting to a new lifestyle, dealing with health issues, and finding purpose and social connections in later life.
Humor and Satire: The book uses humor to address serious subjects. It uses stereotypes and caricatures to create comedic effect. The narrative pokes fun at the challenges and eccentricities of aging and community living.
Rules and Authority: A tension between the ideals of community and the authority of management is explored. Characters challenge or conform to the village’s rules, and there is a satirical element in Helga’s attempts to maintain an “upmarket” image.
About the author
Brian Robertson and Ron Smallwood are now both retired, in the sense that neither has to work for anyone. They can now do just whatever they like—so long as their wives agree that is. Brian and wife Marjorie live in a retirement village and Ron and wife Denise have worked in many retirement villages. Now they do exactly what they want to do. In Brian’s case this is writing books, Digger’s Story before Riotous Retirement and textbooks for South Pacific schools before that. Ron is more recently retired and still works for fun occasionally, with a mate who does house renovations and repairs. He and Denise are also still involved with people in retirement villages. If they had titles for their division of labour in this partnership, which they don’t, Ron would be chief marketing officer, and Brian chief production officer.