Customer Reviews

Simon's Night

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

John Hassler's, Simon's Night, is an incredible novel that creatively portrays issues surrounding the experience of aging. Hassler achieves this by personalizing the experience in his character, Simon Shea, a retired English professor. The novel explores Shea's mental process while he is struggling to be responsible about his decision to give up independent care and place himself in the care of a nursing home. Hassler successfully depicts the challenges many elderly people face through Simon's experiences and witty commentary on maintaining dignity, handling fear, reconciling past experiences, and living in relation to a culture which glorifies youth. For such an important and potentially depressing topic, this novel was a pleasure to read. The well developed characters were intriguing, often funny, and I found myself emotionally attached to them. This attachment gave the wisdom of Hassler's insights the strength of emotional connection.

I read Dear James by Jon Hassler and, as is my usual practice, I went in search of other books by him. I must say that Simon's Night was a great delight. I am now reading it aloud to my husband who is enjoying it as much as I did. A nursing home or rather an old folks home is all right if one has no mind left. But for the mentally alert person it is a living death. As one who is just entering retirement, I feel a long way from decrepit and ready to be cared for by anyone other than myself. I will recommend this book to anyone who is a serious reader of fiction and a student of human behavior.

Simon Shea, a retired college professor used to living a rather solitary life, becomes frightened after he has a few episodes of forgetfulness, the worst one causing an overheated pan to set his kitchen on fire. Shaken and feeling suddenly old, he decides he needs to commit himself to a rest home. In short, he no longer feels competent to live the independent life he's relished for so long and fears he is losing his mind.
This is, of course, a BIG mistake for Simon has plenty of vim and energy left and his mind is just fine. Luckily, he has a perceptive young doctor who sees his potential even when Simon's spirits falter and a visit from his wife (who Simon hasn't seen in years) also helps to set things straight. But before that happens, Simon has to confront his own demons, revisit his memories of teaching, marriage and...finally...re-examine his religious beliefs and come to terms with how they've shaped his life.
But this book is far, far more than I can describe here. Simon Shea is a complex, enigmatic character, nothing like the stereotypes of the elderly that fill too many books these days. It was a joy to get to know him and by the end of this novel, I felt I wanted to see waht happened to Simon. Wonder if there is a sequel to this one out there?

The novel Simon's Night is another fine example of Jon Hassler's writing talent. He brings to life a struggle that everyone will come to face at some point in life. The inevitability of aging is ahead of all of us and that is why this novel has a special meaning to everyone, despite their age. Simon Shea, a retired English professor with a failing memory, puts himself into a home and tries to convince himself that he needs to be there. Over the course of a week he discovers a great deal about himself and his past.

This novel is a perfect blend of seriousness and humor. The experiences remembered and lived by this aging man will make the reader want to cry one moment and laugh the next. Although his experience is very real, there is a certain enteraining quality about the way in which Hassler addresses this issue. A fine combination of detail and Hassler's careful, in-depth character development leave the reader turning pages and welcoming new characters into the plot.

Although Simon's Night is a story of an aging man's grip on his freedom and dignity, it is also a story of love. All of the characters help each other and themselves in the search for waht their hearts really want.

Joh Hassler's "Simon's Night" is an enduring account of life's inevitable growing pains. Simon is a seventy-six-year-old man who has "misplaced" his confidence to lead an independent life. He voluntarily checks himself into a home for the elderly, calmly awaiting the end of his days. While meeting many heart-warming characters within the Norman Home, Simon soon realizes that life is more than enjoying small pleasures while waiting to die. He is missing out on the true meaning of life. With the help of a young doctor, her war-troubled friend, and a dog named Tick, Simon begins to regain his passion for living. Hassler composes an interesting blend of characters, old and young. Through Simon's dialogues and reflections, Hassler illustrates the different perspectives of our society and the aging process. Our hearts are warmed as Simon reunites with his wife, and like the cleansing rainfall, looks at life afresh, stating: "There is no intermediate existence . . . Short of death, there is no alternative but life" (309).

This book is readable and interesting though not one of Hassler's strongest novels.
However, even a weak novel by Hassler is better than most other books. Hence, I
rated it a '4'.

Simon Shea is 76 years old and a retired professor of English when he enters a home
for the elderly. The book takes place during a seven day period wherein Simon eval-
uates his choice to give up his home and enter an assisted living facility. Through
reminiscence, current experience and Simon's reflections, we journey with him as he
looks at his future and decides which path to take.

I recommend other Hassler books instead of this one; 'Staggerford' and 'A Green
Journey'.

my first jon hassler read, simon's night is a great piece of fiction. a novel that caused me to buy everything i could find with this author's name on it. no pretension here, no postmodern posturing, just a wonderful old-fashion novel with interesting real-life characters brought vividly forth by a master. mr hassler should be as famous as anne tyler or john updike, he creates a complete fictional world that is a treat to look into. my highest recommendations.

Jon Hassler is simply the best writer in American literature today period. It is amazing that more people have not read Hassler. Each of his books are poignant and charming. He writes in the style of the giants of yesteryear.

A dash of laugh aloud humor, subtle philosophical and religious thought, and a wonderful ending made this an enjoyable read. Over the period of one week, Simon Shea overcomes his "aging" dilemma in this good old-fashioned tale of human dignity and love. This would make a great x-mas present for your mother/father/mother-in-law/father-in-law - no sex/swearing/violence. Or, retirees, how about this - read this aloud as you and your spouse travel across the country in your RV - it would be a perfect choice.

You will probably enjoy this book if you like books that tell an interesting story, are compassionate towards the frailties of the main characters, make you think while being entertaining at the same time, and are not filled with the vulgar language and sordid scenes so common in today's fiction. I discovered Mr. Hassler through amazon.com and plan to read all his books. If you are approaching middle age or ever wonder how old age will treat you, this will give you something to think about.