It's not that common for books to talk about old age, both in a positive way, while offering quality writing, touching on sobering topics, regardless of age. As is currently the case, let's take this opportunity to present them here...
The author, Ghislaine de Sury , is not a "young girl" since she is to date octogenarian. She had a life that can be described as rich and full:mother of four children, today grandmother of nine grandchildren, Ghislaine de Sury was successively a student in philosophy and social sciences, trainer for adults at university, trainer of executives in Africa and New Caledonia, while growing her family, always at the heart of her life.
After reading this book "The taste of aging" , we distinguish the intellectual who hides behind the story, even if the reading is easy and pleasant, filled with emotion, tenderness and seriousness. Yes, at 80, we can wonder about the fact of aging which inevitably rhymes with the difficulties but also the unexpected joys that age and the decline of time bring.
As she testifies so well, including by making fun of herself, this period which corresponds, roughly, to the transition to retirement, is often apprehended with some concern since one begins the last part of one's life. But Ghislaine de Sury writes "Looking at the path traveled over the past twenty years, I realize that this period that I dreaded was incredibly rich in surprises, discoveries, transformations...and that I still have many more to live. What I feared as an inevitable decline, the worst period of my life, turned out to be an adventure perhaps as surprising as the first twenty years of my existence."
This optimism full of delicacy and finesse, which is felt on each of the pages, is rich in lessons and overwhelming:it shows us that aging is not a calamity.
By dint of trial and error, Ghislaine de Sury managed to invent a new way to better "taste life". If you want to "learn to grow old" or if you want to please your grandparents, you need this book!
(Editions La Martinière - October 3, 2016 - €17 )
Michael Lonsdale is well known by all lovers of theater and cinema. At 85, he never ceases to play, to interpret roles, but his interest in the arts has also led him to painting and literature, which the general public knows less about. This great actor, who received the César for best supporting actor for the interpretation of Frère Luc in the film "Of Gods and Men" by Xavier Beauvois, has always developed an in-depth spiritual reflection.
Today, with "It's never too late for the greatest love - A little treatise on hope" Michael Lonsdale recounts how he clung to God to overcome the difficult stages that marked his life, in order to achieve today a serenity where peace and confidence dwell in him.
Although he speaks of the love of God who saved him, the testimony he delivers here on his spiritual path really reads like a beautiful hope to be discovered. And this, whether one is a believer or not.
In such a harsh world, marked by unemployment, violence, poverty, broken families, loneliness... this story that Michael Lonsdale shares with us, at the twilight of his life, shows us above all that it is essential to open to others...
(Editions Philippe Rey - October 6, 2016 - €14.90 )
