Cruel, certainly, to be called a windy old bird, but hardly fatal. So he would return to Doctor Kirk on Wednesday morning, his wound healing, and while subjecting himself to the most demeaning of medical procedures he would wear the mask of goodhumored banter. It was becoming clear to Simon that that was the primary challenge of old age: to maintain your dignity no matter what fix you find yourself in.

This was a perfect read for me. It has all I love about a good novel. A heart-warming story, very funny yet also filled with wisdom, faith and empathy towards every character, and a genuinly good (but stubborn) hero who has sadly lost his way in the world.

This is a novel about how to deal with aging, regrets in life and the possibility of a second chance.

76 year old Simon Shea is a retired professor of English at a small Minnesota college. Recently he has begun to forget things. He forgets his car in town, forgets to turn of the gas stove and nearly burns down his house. So he commits himself to a private rest home - but it’s clear that it’s way to early for him for this drastic move.

Simon is a devout catholic and although his much younger wife moved out years ago he hasn’t divorced her - always somehow hoping she will return. Well, the wife gets nervous after he doesn’t return her phone calls and decides to find out where he is.

Simon finds new friends in the new place he’s settling into - and befriends a young couple. And the interaction with the other persons at the rest home is so funny.

The events of the novel all take place in one week with several flashbacks to earlier events. I like also Simon's simple ordinary prayers that are springled throughout the novel. They are so revealing and beautiful.

Not a very well-known novel - but I recommend it highly. ( )

My second favorite Hassler. ( )

2872 Simon's Night, by Jon Hassler (read 27 May 1996) I liked this book even better than Staggerford. The book is SO funny. I laughed uproariously for two pages straight sometimes. This book is an unmitigated success and I am glad I read it. I certainly will have to read more of Hassler! ( )