Prue Leith was someone I had never come across before her appearances on The Great British Bake Off. Her enthusiasm, energy and enlightening personality always seemed so infectious; even more so for a woman who is now in her eighties.
In her new book (her 25th!), she explores the trials and tribulations of growing old; along with its unexpected joys. Part memoir and part reflection the book is packed with her trademark wit, wisdom and no nonsense approach.
Divided into twenty two short chapters she explores everything from ageing, exercise, travel, friendship, death, fashion and even love and sex.
Her zest for life is infectious, as she herself admits she puts down her energy to being greedy for everything- for life, food, love, work and play. Although there are many physical sports she can no longer do, there are still many that she can do whilst age says that she is still “on the right side of the grass”. Her attitude is one that, after reading this book, makes anyone still in their mid-life period believe that maybe growing older isn’t so bad after all.
Even after living in England for over sixty years she misses her native South Africa, though she often visits the Prue Leith Culinary Institute in Pretoria, a chef school and visits as often as she can. For someone in their eighties she appears to travel widely, something which is made easier when you have wealth and health at your disposal, both of which she has.
Coming from a firmly middle class family in South Africa, her dad had a good job and along with her brothers all went to private school, hence she had a good start in life. Surprisingly, even in her sixties she never thought about death, though now in her eighties it crosses her mind several times a day. Probably with her larger than life personality the thought of the inevitable is something that seems a long way off!
A wise and witty read that will inspire anyone reading the book that facing the challenges of growing old is not as bad as you might think. An absorbing read where I found it hard to stop reading with each chapter bringing a useful insight all served with honesty and in a refreshing style.
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