Nearing Ninety - and Other Comedies of Late Life - poems

Sep 28, 2026

Uploaded by SANS

Nearing Ninety - and Other Comedies of Late Life is a collection of poems by Judith Viorst, illustrated by Laura Gibson. The book explores what it means to be newly approaching or already within the nonagenarian years, mixing candid reflections with humor. It addresses everyday late-life challenges, such as New Year’s Eve endurance, medical “diagnoses” shared in conversation, and the acceptance of unchosen paths, while emphasizing laughter, family, and enduring companionship.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryStory & Novel

FormatPDF

Pages104

Reading Time2 h 40 min

AccessFree to download

Nearing Ninety

Everyday tribulations and surprising joys of late life

Humor, laughter, and acceptance

amd othevcomedies o8tate if U.S.$17.00 Can.$23.00 For every major milestone Judith Viorst hasbeen there like a warm and understandingfriend.In this newest collection of poems inher "decades"series—charmingly illustratedby Laura Gibson—Viorst explores,with hersignature savvy and humor,what it meansto be a new(or impending)nonagenarian. n Nearing Ninety Viorst candidly shares theeveryday tribulations and surprising joys oflate life:struggling to make it to midnight onNew Year's Eve,while “exchanging photographsand diagnoses”;listening to lots more eulogiesthan symphonies;and making her peace withthe many paths not taken,like being the oldeststudent at Harvard Medical School.But despitethe fact that her “knee replacement needs a kneereplacement,"she is finding plenty—plenty!—tocherish.Hanging out with her family and dearfriends.Playing a relentless game of Scrabble.Discreetly ogling that hot guy mowing the lawn.And still sleeping tush to tush with the exasper-ating and irreplaceable man to whom she’s beenmarried for almost sixty years. I Better to exhale and live your life withoutgetting stuck on a number(unless it's those “damnseven pounds"you still want to lose).With wis-dom and spirit,Viorst gently reminds us thateverybody gets old,and that the best medicine atany age is laughter. https://archive.org/details/nearingninetyoth0000vior 旁 ALSO BY JUDITH VIORST POEMSThe Village Square It'Hard to Be HipOver Thirty and Other Tragedies of Married LifePeople and Other Aggravations How Did I Get to Be Forty and Otber AtrocitiesIfIWere in Charge ofthe World and Other WorriesForever Fifty and Other NegotiationsSad Underwear and Other ComplicationsSuddenly Sixty and Other Shocks of Later LifeI'm Too Young to Be Seventy and Other DelusionsUnexpectedly Eighty and Other AdaptationsWait for Me and Other Poems About the Irritationsand Consolations of a Long MarriageWhat Are You Glad About?What Are You Mad About? # CHILDREN’S BOOKS Sunday Morning I'FixAnthony Try It Again,Sam The Tenth Good Thing About Barney Alexander and the Terrible,Horrible,No Good,Very Bad Day My Mama Says There Aren't Any Zombies,Ghosts,Vampires,Creatures,Demons,Monsters,Fiends,Goblins,or ThingsRosie and MichaelAlexander;Who Used to Be Rich Last Sunday The Good-bye Book Earrings! The Alpbabet From Z toA(With Much Confusion on the Way) Alexander;Who's Not(Do You Hear Me?I Mean It!)Going to Move Absolutely Positively Alexander Super-Completely and Totally the Messiest! Just in Case Nobody Here but Me Lulu and the Brontosaurus Lulu Walks the Dogs Lulus Mysterious Mission Alexander;Who's Trying His Best to Be the Best Boy Ever And Two Boys Booed Lulu Is Getting a Sister(Who Wants Her?Who Needs Her?) OTHER Yes,Married AVisit from St.Nicholas(To a Liberated Household) Love Guilt G the Meaning ofLife,Etc. Necessary Losses Murdering Mr.Monti Imperfect Control Youre Officially a Grown-Up Grown-Up Marriage Alexander and the Wonderful,Marvelous,Excellent,Terrific Ninety Days N # earingNinety andOther Comedies of Late Life Judith Viorst Illustrated by Laura Gibson Simon &Schuster Simon &Schuster1230 Avenue of the AmericasNew York,NY 10020 Text copyright ◎2019 byJudith ViorstIllustrations copyright ◎2019 by Laura Gibson All rights reserved,including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form whatsoeverFor information,address Simon &Schuster Subsidiary Rights Department, 1230 Avenue ofthe Americas,NewYork,NY 10020. # First Simon &Schuster hardcoveredition April 2019 SIMON &SCHUSTER and colophon are registered trademarks of Simon&Schuster,Inc. For information about special discounts for bulk purchases,please contact Simon &Schuster Special Salesat 1-866-506-1949 or business@simonandschuster.com. The Simon &Schuster Speakers Bureau can bring authors to your live event.For more information or to book an event,contact the Simon&Schuster Speakers Bureau at 1

FAQs

What theme does the collection focus on?

It examines what it means to be newly approaching or already in one’s nonagenarian years, using humor alongside candid reflections on aging.

What kinds of late-life experiences does Viorst describe?

The poems include everyday challenges such as making it through midnight on New Year’s Eve, “exchanging photographs and diagnoses,” and reflecting on paths not taken.

How does the book suggest aging can be met?

It emphasizes cherishing what remains—family, friends, and small pleasures—while stressing that laughter is the best medicine at any age.

Sep 28, 2026

Uploaded by SANS