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Once More With Feeling
Arthur MacDonald, 85, is having an end-of-life crisis. His beloved, dying wife of over 60 years no longer knows who he is. His older brother still has all his hair and a wife almost half his age. The man his middle-aged daughter is dating has a ponytail.
His teenaged grandson wants to cook desserts for a living. And his daughter wants him to move into Silvermine retirement home. Then Arthur meets the gorgeous, radical, 80-something-year-old Robbie and learns that nobody is ever too old to fall in love all over again.
His teenaged grandson wants to cook desserts for a living. And his daughter wants him to move into Silvermine retirement home. Then Arthur meets the gorgeous, radical, 80-something-year-old Robbie and learns that nobody is ever too old to fall in love all over again.
Audiobook
First published May 25, 2020
18 people are currently reading
134 people want to read
About the author
Ceridwen Dovey
32 books148 followersCeridwen Dovey grew up in South Africa and Australia, studied as an undergraduate at Harvard, and now lives in Sydney. Her first novel, Blood Kin, was translated into fifteen languages and selected for the US National Book Foundation’s prestigious ‘5 Under 35’ award. J.M. Coetzee called it ‘A fable of the arrogance of power beneath whose dreamlike surface swirl currents of complex sensuality.' Her second work of fiction, Only the Animals, will be published by Penguin in 2014 (Australia) and Farrar, Straus & Giroux in 2015 (USA).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 107 reviews
June 28, 2020
I listened to the audio version of this and loved every moment of it :)
Arthur has just failed his driving renewal test and is feeling frustrated about the reasons he was told he failed. When he is approached by someone who says they can help him pass next time he is intrigued enough to make an appointment with Robbie, the person who was recommended to him.
Arthur’s terminally ill wife Ethel lives at home with him and to be fair, saying she ‘lives’ would be an incorrect assessment of her, she just exists nowadays. She is fading away with each passing day but Arthur is a dedicated husband and does everything he can to make sure her remaining days are comfortable.
When Robbie breezes into his life he is initially surprised to discover Robbie is female and her flamboyant personality wraps around him in ways he never expected. He had forgotten what it was like to have a friendship and his circle of friends begins to expand.
Robbie reminds Arthur how important it is to keep on living his life, despite what is going on at home. Like Arthur, I got caught up in Robbie’s eccentricity and her no shits given way of life.
This is a wonderful, heart warming story.
Arthur has just failed his driving renewal test and is feeling frustrated about the reasons he was told he failed. When he is approached by someone who says they can help him pass next time he is intrigued enough to make an appointment with Robbie, the person who was recommended to him.
Arthur’s terminally ill wife Ethel lives at home with him and to be fair, saying she ‘lives’ would be an incorrect assessment of her, she just exists nowadays. She is fading away with each passing day but Arthur is a dedicated husband and does everything he can to make sure her remaining days are comfortable.
When Robbie breezes into his life he is initially surprised to discover Robbie is female and her flamboyant personality wraps around him in ways he never expected. He had forgotten what it was like to have a friendship and his circle of friends begins to expand.
Robbie reminds Arthur how important it is to keep on living his life, despite what is going on at home. Like Arthur, I got caught up in Robbie’s eccentricity and her no shits given way of life.
This is a wonderful, heart warming story.
June 22, 2020
Not What I Signed Up For
**I'M TICKED, SO THERE ARE SPOILERS AHEAD**
I thought I picked up a rom-com about the older generation falling in love again--a great idea! In my eyes, this wasn't even a true romance. This should be in general fiction, not in the romance category since it has very little to do with people actually falling in love. Also, if you think you're picking up a comedy, just be sure to put it down within the first 1/3 of the story and you'll be fine. After that, there's very little to laugh about. In fact, as the story goes on the major emotions change from happy ones to seriously angsty and angry ones. At times this was almost a Jekyll & Hyde book.
I'm not saying that it's not well written, or that some people won't enjoy the story, because neither statement would be true. But it's not what I thought I was getting, and it's not a story I would have picked. As far as quality goes, my only complaint was with the narration that deviated too much in volume, making some characters seem to shout.
**Here come the possible spoilers if you want to quit reading now** This story has more to do with death than it does with romance. In fact, it actually has an agenda to push regarding end of life choices. If there's one thing that will push my buttons faster than anything else, it's hiding a social agenda in a book I'm intending to read for escapism. If I'm looking for info about a political/social issue, I'll choose a book about it. This actually literally ruined my day to find out that the main characters intended to die by their own hands. That's not romance. That's not an HEA. That's just maudlin.
**I'M TICKED, SO THERE ARE SPOILERS AHEAD**
I thought I picked up a rom-com about the older generation falling in love again--a great idea! In my eyes, this wasn't even a true romance. This should be in general fiction, not in the romance category since it has very little to do with people actually falling in love. Also, if you think you're picking up a comedy, just be sure to put it down within the first 1/3 of the story and you'll be fine. After that, there's very little to laugh about. In fact, as the story goes on the major emotions change from happy ones to seriously angsty and angry ones. At times this was almost a Jekyll & Hyde book.
I'm not saying that it's not well written, or that some people won't enjoy the story, because neither statement would be true. But it's not what I thought I was getting, and it's not a story I would have picked. As far as quality goes, my only complaint was with the narration that deviated too much in volume, making some characters seem to shout.
**Here come the possible spoilers if you want to quit reading now** This story has more to do with death than it does with romance. In fact, it actually has an agenda to push regarding end of life choices. If there's one thing that will push my buttons faster than anything else, it's hiding a social agenda in a book I'm intending to read for escapism. If I'm looking for info about a political/social issue, I'll choose a book about it. This actually literally ruined my day to find out that the main characters intended to die by their own hands. That's not romance. That's not an HEA. That's just maudlin.
November 16, 2021
Been a good while since I’ve given a 5 star review. I absolutely adored this book. I found it a mix of Gail Honeyman’s ‘Eleanor Oliphant...’ and Jonas Jonasson’s ‘The 100 Year Old Man...’ There was something almost magical about the way the author got into the mind of elderly Arthur; his quirks, his regrets and his fears. The cast brought joy and humour, supporting Arthur as he experienced both the mundane and the extraordinary. Couldn’t recommend this audiobook more!
June 21, 2020
This was a free read/listen from Audible.
1. Not something I would have chosen on my own.
2. Well written.
3. Bittersweet at best. (I dislike bittersweet!)
4. I personally found this to be depressing.
1. Not something I would have chosen on my own.
2. Well written.
3. Bittersweet at best. (I dislike bittersweet!)
4. I personally found this to be depressing.
September 4, 2020
I loved this book. It took me through the whole gamut of emotions and made me question every interaction I have or continue to have with an older person. I laughed, cried and questioned the reality of what it means to die and live with dignity
April 25, 2021
This book began with so much promise: a humorous, quirky romance between two older people. Arthur MacDonald at 85 fails his compulsory driving test and is given the phone number of Robbie who helps seniors pass said test. Arthur’s initial surprise that Robbie is a woman is only compounded as he gets to know this feisty, radical and delightful character, whose friendship introduces him to a circle of other unexpected characters. At the same time Arthur is struggling to care for his wife of sixty years, Ethel, who is fading away and unrecognisable as she is taken over by dementia and stomach cancer. He is also dealing with his daughter’s constant pushing to get him into Silvermine nursing home and his older brother’s antics. He has always somewhat hero-worshipped Douggie, with his winning streak, brazen charm and trophy wife, but the comparison between the two men is not necessarily the way Arthur has always viewed it.
I loved the quirkiness, humour and cantankerousness of the characters, in particular Robbie, but felt ripped off when the book changed tack midway from a novel to a tract on euthanasia. I feel like if you’ve sold me a novel, I should be able to lose myself in a story rather than be preached at. Often novels dealing with social issues get side-tracked by the issue and leave the story and characters behind. Sorry folks but for me the story and its people have to come first. I was also annoyed at Arthur in that he seemed to journey somewhere with beginning to understand and mend his relationship with his daughter but decides to fix it all by simply writing a letter while still completely ignoring her feelings and wishes. One letter ain’t gonna fix it Arthur.
I loved the quirkiness, humour and cantankerousness of the characters, in particular Robbie, but felt ripped off when the book changed tack midway from a novel to a tract on euthanasia. I feel like if you’ve sold me a novel, I should be able to lose myself in a story rather than be preached at. Often novels dealing with social issues get side-tracked by the issue and leave the story and characters behind. Sorry folks but for me the story and its people have to come first. I was also annoyed at Arthur in that he seemed to journey somewhere with beginning to understand and mend his relationship with his daughter but decides to fix it all by simply writing a letter while still completely ignoring her feelings and wishes. One letter ain’t gonna fix it Arthur.
October 13, 2020
I adored this book. Love, growing old, illness, how to handle it, loving husband and wife issues, father daughter relationships, learning to let go of old resentments, learning to accept who you are, who your children and grandchildren are and leaving behind all judgments and just loving them. Choices about how one lives and ultimately dies and most importantly learning and accepting that there is nothing greater than the acceptance of who you are foibles and all. A beautiful story about letting go with grace and an abundance of love and grace.
July 23, 2022
I loved this book. Such an authentic voice for the main character, and I was absolutely invested in his emotions and actions. Listened to this on Audible and the narrator was perfect (aside from “libairy”)
September 13, 2020
I really enjoyed this.
November 12, 2021
Senior citizens gone wild is very on trend. This is another one. Not amazing, but enjoyable
August 21, 2022
A great read about things one might go through at the end of life!
March 22, 2021
A great insight into ageing. Funny, touching and thought provoking.
March 14, 2024
Really enjoyed spending my time with Arthur, his family and friends.
Lots of discussion points re aging, quality of life etc
Lots of discussion points re aging, quality of life etc
June 6, 2020
Delightful book. Bittersweet, laughing at the aging process. But aging is not for sissies. Lost impetus (and interest in the early part of the second half. But a delightful read. A completely different love story.
August 31, 2020
I loved this, it was an easy read. Light-hearted yet deeply emotional at times.
January 5, 2022
This was a free Audible listen at the time and it was really nice to listen to a story about the older generation and it being set in a retirement home. It was also set near where I live, so it's always cool to see familiar places in books.
The cute cover definitely does not hint to where this book leads you, but it was an interesting read either way. Death is the only guarantee we have in life, and ageing is a privilege, so I have no qualms exploring these topics. It is often seen as taboo since people don't really want to face that reality.
I really enjoyed the dynamics between the characters, they were all so sweet and funny.
The cute cover definitely does not hint to where this book leads you, but it was an interesting read either way. Death is the only guarantee we have in life, and ageing is a privilege, so I have no qualms exploring these topics. It is often seen as taboo since people don't really want to face that reality.
I really enjoyed the dynamics between the characters, they were all so sweet and funny.
September 17, 2020
A great thought provoking book about love loss and ageing. Really enjoyed the writing style. This book touched on some really great topic related to getting older and the thoughts and feelings of the ageing population.
June 14, 2020
Not at all what I look for in a romance novel. A real downer. Euthanasia is major element of book.
December 1, 2020
A story about old age and acceptance. A little bit of lecturing about euthanasia towards the end, but otherwise a portrait of a family
September 26, 2023
I listened to this in audio version and, while I agree with some of the negative comments that it is bittersweet, perhaps a little depressing and perhaps not overly realistic in the way some issues are dealt with, I still really enjoyed it. . . mind you, I am an old person myself, so I understand many of the emotions and events that occur in the book.
Death, ageing, illness are all issues that need to be addressed head on, and this book does that with considerable humour and yet in a way that makes the reader think. It is particularly relevant for older readers and certainly brings to awareness the need to live life to the full no matter how old one is, and to remember that it is important to be honest and to tell your loved ones how much you do love them.
It also addresses the issue of euthanasia which may be difficult for some readers to accept. While I think that it is a book that appeals more to older readers, there are certainly elements that should be understood and accepted by all readers. ****
Death, ageing, illness are all issues that need to be addressed head on, and this book does that with considerable humour and yet in a way that makes the reader think. It is particularly relevant for older readers and certainly brings to awareness the need to live life to the full no matter how old one is, and to remember that it is important to be honest and to tell your loved ones how much you do love them.
It also addresses the issue of euthanasia which may be difficult for some readers to accept. While I think that it is a book that appeals more to older readers, there are certainly elements that should be understood and accepted by all readers. ****
March 10, 2021
This was an enjoyable read but it contains so many missed opportunities to be a better book.
Possible things that could’ve been discussed but weren’t include
- what are the complex emotional consequences of beginning to fall in love with someone else when your spouse has dementia or is brain dead
- what would it be like to love someone who wanted to die, while you wanted to live
- how do you maintain a friendship with someone who has no interest in life anymore or who you have grown apart from, but with whom you have a long standing history and loyalty.
Each time the author had an opportunity to discuss one of these issues, someone conveniently dies or is diagnosed with a terminal illness. This enables the author to bypass any worthwhile discussion about anything that actually matters
I’m also surprised it was written by a female author as it also runs into the typical trap of having a man with almost nothing to recommend himself bagging the most popular, interesting, and dynamic woman in his acquaintance.
Possible things that could’ve been discussed but weren’t include
- what are the complex emotional consequences of beginning to fall in love with someone else when your spouse has dementia or is brain dead
- what would it be like to love someone who wanted to die, while you wanted to live
- how do you maintain a friendship with someone who has no interest in life anymore or who you have grown apart from, but with whom you have a long standing history and loyalty.
Each time the author had an opportunity to discuss one of these issues, someone conveniently dies or is diagnosed with a terminal illness. This enables the author to bypass any worthwhile discussion about anything that actually matters
I’m also surprised it was written by a female author as it also runs into the typical trap of having a man with almost nothing to recommend himself bagging the most popular, interesting, and dynamic woman in his acquaintance.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 20, 2025
4.5 🌟 Rating from me
Excellent narration.
Arthur MacDonald, 85 years old, thought the best parts of life were behind him when he lost his wife of more than 60 years —until everything around him began to unravel in the most unexpected ways. With humour, heartache, and a surprising twist of late-in-life romance, this story gently reminds us that love, purpose, and reinvention aren’t reserved for the young. Arthur’s journey through his ageing challenges, his grief, and rediscovery is both touching and, at times, delightfully funny. Robbie is a standout—vibrant, free-spirited, and exactly what Arthur (and the reader) didn’t see coming.
A beautifully written story of love, family dynamics, how society may perceive elderly people within our communities, and finding love for the second time, with loveable, realistic characters.
Excellent narration.
Arthur MacDonald, 85 years old, thought the best parts of life were behind him when he lost his wife of more than 60 years —until everything around him began to unravel in the most unexpected ways. With humour, heartache, and a surprising twist of late-in-life romance, this story gently reminds us that love, purpose, and reinvention aren’t reserved for the young. Arthur’s journey through his ageing challenges, his grief, and rediscovery is both touching and, at times, delightfully funny. Robbie is a standout—vibrant, free-spirited, and exactly what Arthur (and the reader) didn’t see coming.
A beautifully written story of love, family dynamics, how society may perceive elderly people within our communities, and finding love for the second time, with loveable, realistic characters.
January 8, 2026
⭐️ - 4.5/5
This was a perfect read to end 2025 and start 2026. Arthur and Robbie’s story reminds us that it’s never too late to find love and joy in life. The humor in the story was top-notch, and was balanced out by the very difficult topics of dementia, advanced aging, and death with dignity. The narration was wonderful and added to each character beautifully. I would recommend this to anyone who needs a good balance of heart-warming, humorous, and let’s be honest— a tad sad in a read. This is NOT a rom-com so if you’re hoping that this is a story about two octogenarians falling in love, curb your expectations.
This was a perfect read to end 2025 and start 2026. Arthur and Robbie’s story reminds us that it’s never too late to find love and joy in life. The humor in the story was top-notch, and was balanced out by the very difficult topics of dementia, advanced aging, and death with dignity. The narration was wonderful and added to each character beautifully. I would recommend this to anyone who needs a good balance of heart-warming, humorous, and let’s be honest— a tad sad in a read. This is NOT a rom-com so if you’re hoping that this is a story about two octogenarians falling in love, curb your expectations.
December 16, 2020
An endearing realistic view at old age, at looking back at a full life, the regrets and beautiful memories, and at the gaps between generations.
I loved the characters and their issues, the way they overcame their age and the ageism they suffer.
The audio is really vivid and nice.
I seriously did not expect anything from this free audible besides some entertainment, but it really filled me with warm feelings, it made me laugh and cry.
I wish everyone could have a misfit gang in their old age, friends to help you overcome and enjoy the changes you face when growing old. From aches, government annoyances, to freedom, to the opportunity to use your maturity to correct wrongdoings.
It’s a beautiful story, I definitely recommend it.
I loved the characters and their issues, the way they overcame their age and the ageism they suffer.
The audio is really vivid and nice.
I seriously did not expect anything from this free audible besides some entertainment, but it really filled me with warm feelings, it made me laugh and cry.
I wish everyone could have a misfit gang in their old age, friends to help you overcome and enjoy the changes you face when growing old. From aches, government annoyances, to freedom, to the opportunity to use your maturity to correct wrongdoings.
It’s a beautiful story, I definitely recommend it.
June 22, 2023
Humorous and relatable to begin with but unfortunately degenerated into proselytising mode and sentimental schmaltz.
Seniors kicking their heels up because they're too old to care anymore what anyone thinks isn't a particularly original (or appealing) concept and at times the story came across as a bit of a spoof. I listened to it as an audiobook and it was seriously spoilt by the narrating voice of both Arthur and his brother Dukie. Their voices were over the top Aussie yobbo/larrikin complete with nasal drawl that made it hard to take them seriously.
Seniors kicking their heels up because they're too old to care anymore what anyone thinks isn't a particularly original (or appealing) concept and at times the story came across as a bit of a spoof. I listened to it as an audiobook and it was seriously spoilt by the narrating voice of both Arthur and his brother Dukie. Their voices were over the top Aussie yobbo/larrikin complete with nasal drawl that made it hard to take them seriously.
September 11, 2023
3.5 stars rounded up to 4.
Once More With Feeling turned out differently to what I expected. I have mixed views on this one. I found it a bit slow to get into to start with, but then I got interested and had some laugh out loud moments - one of which I had to replay to my 16 year old son who is learning to drive. The story focusses on 85 year old Authur and his relationship with his wife,and then Robbie and their friendship. There is quite a focus on family with Authur's wife, daughter, grandson and brother. Some funny moments and some touching moments.
Once More With Feeling turned out differently to what I expected. I have mixed views on this one. I found it a bit slow to get into to start with, but then I got interested and had some laugh out loud moments - one of which I had to replay to my 16 year old son who is learning to drive. The story focusses on 85 year old Authur and his relationship with his wife,and then Robbie and their friendship. There is quite a focus on family with Authur's wife, daughter, grandson and brother. Some funny moments and some touching moments.
April 17, 2024
Beautiful. Life affirming. Unpredictable. Light reading on heavy topics. An absolute breath of fresh air. Never read anything like it. The fantastic characters and perfect pace of this novel keep you reading, without the need for any “what happens next” cliffhanger chapter endings. None of the usual heart clenching compulsion to get lost in these pages to find out what happens. Just a beautiful desire to hangout with your new favourite grandad. I hope to live life more like Arthur does as he unravels during this tale. Highly recommend.
January 31, 2025
I did not know what to expect and was absolutely delighted! What a brilliant journey the reader gets to take with this story. Old age, a long marriage, watching a loved one die slowly in the health system and being able to make choices, even though you’re old!
It was a very inspiring story. Having watched people close to me follow the doctor’s orders fighting for more time and losing, having to settle for quality of life and being made comfortable while their loved ones watch on. This story has a very important message.
It was a very inspiring story. Having watched people close to me follow the doctor’s orders fighting for more time and losing, having to settle for quality of life and being made comfortable while their loved ones watch on. This story has a very important message.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 107 reviews