The Wrinkly

by Paul Collis

Mike Lewis wants 'out'. Out of his meaningless career, his shallow relationships, the big city rat race. On a whim, he signs a contract for a house in an idyllic retirement community in Florida that promises a peaceful life of golf and hobbies. Only later does he read the small print: he has to be over 60 to join the enclave.
Trouble is, he's only 39.
Welcome to the start of a whole new life...

150 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2010

About the author

Born in Greater London.
Art school in the seventies.
The next few decades spent at ad agencies creating TV commercials in London, Milan, New York and San Francisco.
Some fishing here, some photography there.
Now thinking about the next project...

Reviews

[TC · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like a good comedy, and I've seen one or two communities in Florida that have quite frankly scared me with their perfect appearances and promises of idyll, so this seemed like a good read for me.

Mike Lewis is 39, sells TV advertising slots & dates younger women. On a trip to Florida for a conference he discovers a community with wonderful leisure facilities and every class going to enrich a life. All the people he sees look happy. Returning home he checks into his financial affairs and decides to move there, announcing at his 40th birthday party that he's taking early retirement. It's only after he's paid the deposit on a rental home that he realises it's for the over 60s only. He's so sold on the way of life that he decides drastic action is necessary to blag his way in. Once there he finds himself playing plenty of golf, and meeting attractive women of various ages. However keeping up the facade provides good comedy material. While trying to adopt the gait, voice and habits of a man 20 years older he still finds himself fending of advances, ends up in a very confusing romantic situation and finds the golf club is being used by drug dealers.

The basic premise ia a bit far-fetched, and at the start I didn't understand why Mike was so easily hooked on the idea of moving to Goldenville, but if you get past that and enjoy the ride there's some good humour to be had from the situation. The author also makes his motivation for the move a little clearer later on in the book. Many of the characters are larger than life and although Mike felt like the only fully developed one the ensemble cast helped make the book.

The plot is pretty simple and provides some nice humour. This wasn't a particularly long book, and it was a nice, easy fun read that left me in a good mood. If I was the sort of person who kept a pile of books for summer/holiday reading this would sit nicely in that pile.

[Al · Rating 4 out of 5]

All you have to do is read the book description and it should be obvious that the premise of this book is one ripe with comedic potential. That the twist is the opposite of the norm, most people would rather pass themselves off as being younger, not older, adds to the humor of the situation. A quick, light-hearted read that tickled my funny bone.

**Originally written for "Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy. **

[Genie Fae Griffin · Rating 2 out of 5]

I got this for my golf-obsessed boyfriend and figured I better give it a test drive. It started out strongly and even had some legit belly-laugh moments, but it lost direction halfway through, going off on tangents that had little or no effect on the plot. It was a bit disappointing, and I ended up giving my boyfriend “Albatross” by Terry Fallis instead.

[Mary Helene · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a sit down and have a good laugh book. I can see myself in one of those communities in just a few years, except with real wrinkles. I wondered at first if the book would be like reading an old script of Mrs Doubtfire but this story was alot funnier.

[Hal · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's not the usual 40-year-old man who tries to pass himself off as a guy in his 60's just to live in an idyllic retirement community. You have to suspend belief. But this is a whacky, fun, fast-to-read yarn.

[Paul Collis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some people have said it's 'laugh out loud' funny, and others believe it would make a good movie. I agree with them.
(Well, I have to. I'm the author.)

[Lindsay Mccain · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good sense of humor and was able to keep my attention. I am interested in reading more by this author.

[P.J. O'Brien · Rating 4 out of 5]

review to come...