Pops and the Nearly Dead

by Edyth Bulbring

When Randolph Goodenough’s neglectful parents relocate to Bangkok, he is unceremoniously dumped with his grandfather, Pops, at Nelson Mandela Gardens Retirement Village in Port Elizabeth. However, what looks certain to be three months of interminable boredom with a bunch of nearly dead people turns out to be far more interesting than Randolph could ever have imagined. The novel explores the lonely and often frightening business of growing old, seen through the compassionate eyes of a teenager. It also celebrates the agonies of a young boy negotiating his way through being in love for the first time.

322 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 2, 2012

About the author

Edyth Bulbring is an award-winning author of nine Young Adult novels: The Summer of Toffie and Grummer which was shortlisted for the English Academy's 2010 Percy FitzPatrick prize for Youth Literature (Oxford University Press, February 2008); Cornelia Button and the Globe of Gamagion (Jacana, April 2008); The Club (Jonathan Ball Publishers, September 2008); Pops and The Nearly Dead (Penguin, March 2010); Melly, Mrs Ho and Me (Penguin, September 2010); Melly, Fatty and Me which was awarded the English Academy's 2012 Percy FitzPatrick prize for Youth Literature (Penguin, September 2011); The Mark which was awarded the English Academy's 2016 Percy FitzPatrick Prize for Youth Literature (Tafelberg September 2014) and Snitch which won the 2017 M.E.R Prize for best Afrikaans or English youth novel (Tafelberg, May 2016).

She was born in Boksburg and grew up in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. She worked as a journalist for fifteen years and was the political correspondent at the Sunday Times of South Africa covering the first democratic elections. She likes dogs, trees and junk shops.

Reviews

[Savera · Rating 5 out of 5]

A touching and funny must-read for grandchildren and grandparents alike - plus everyone in between!
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Anyone who knows, has cared for, or been around the elderly, will recognise the unpredictability and contradictory obsession with routine that defines the golden years.
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Both Randolph and his grandfather, Pops, are facing changes in their lives. Randolph is learning about love and life, while Pops is coming to terms with the sometimes unfair process of aging.
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Edyth Bulbring has created a cast of characters I couldnt help empathising with - whether it was while playing Scrabble or navigating the tricky event that is braai-ing after the death of a spouse. Her writing flows like an afternoon conversation over a slice of carrot cake and a cup of tea.

[Hjwoodward · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining light read - I liked the contrast between the very old people and the very young lover!

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved Pops and Randolph and the rest of the cast of marvellous characters to bits! I'm now going to pass the book on to my 14-year-old grandson and his "Pops" who will love it too. Just charming from start to finish with sharp insights into the agonies of adolescence and the challenges of age.

[Cindi Page · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tender, insightful and funny. Loved this book!

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

especially fun to read if you've had experience with a parent in a retirement village!