Author Hunter Davies always comes across as an encourageble old rogue.
Now in his 80s, he seems to have the same zest for life which he has had all through his long career of writing.
And his books always reflect his bounce on life. His latest ‘Love in Old Age: My Year in the Wight House’, is a real uplifter in our current depressing times.
The book tells how he fell in love again at 84 and not only decided to move in with his girlfriend Claire, but also move to a new home, something which would have left most of us exhausted at the thought.
But not Hunter, he took the challenged with real relish and the result is a very funny book/memoir. It’s 2020 and we are well into lockdown when Hunter and Claire decide to escape North London and head for a week’s holiday on the Isle of Wight.
Seven days wasn’t enough for the couple as they fell head over heels in love with the island and decided to buy a house there, but not before they both drew up a list of their reasons why to and why not to move.
They ended up buying a Grade 2 listed love nest in the elegant Victorian seaside resort of Ryde and the book chronicles their first 12 months on the island where King Charles I was imprisoned and Queen Victoria liked the mild climate and coastal scenery so much, she built an Italianate house there and died in it.
The island is famous for the 1960s when hippies flooded there for summers of love and happiness and Hunter and Claire were well and truly taken by the vibes.
The book tells the story of their journey, of meeting new people and discovering new places in old age and a celebration of flat, sandy beaches.
It brings together the themes of love in old age, the lockdown, rural escape and the anxieties of house buying, as well as the history and curiosities of England’s largest and second most populous island.
Hunter’s wit and charm and insatiable curiosity about people and places, will have you captured and enjoying a really good book!
Publication date: 1st September 2022
UK Price: £21.99
ISBN: 978-1801104081
Format: 234 x 153mm, Hardback
Pages: 336
Love in Old Age – My Year in the Wight House
By Hunter Davis
Published by Head of Zeus
For more information and to order a copy of ‘Love in Old Age’, please visit: https://headofzeus.com. You will also find it available to order at Amazon, Blackwell’s, Foyles, Waterstones and WH Smith.
Author Bio:
Rebecca Hay is an experienced travel writer and member of The British Guild of Travel Writers. Follow her adventures with her family on Twitter and Instagram @emojiadventurer and on Facebook via EmojiAdventurers2.
Top image by Mirka from Pixabay and cover image courtesy of Head of Zeus
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