The Extra Ordinary Life of Frank Derrick, Age 82 - J.B. Morrison

The Extra Ordinary Life of Frank Derrick, Age 81 by J.B. Morrison
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

'The story of the pensioner, the milk float and the miracle worker Frank Derrick is eighty-one. And he’s just been run over by a milk float.

It was tough enough to fill the hours of the day when he was active. But now he’s broken his arm and fractured his foot, it looks set to be a very long few weeks ahead. Frank lives with his cat Bill (which made more sense before Ben died) in the typically British town of Fullwind-on-Sea. The Villages in Bloom competition is the topic of conversation amongst his neighbours but Frank has no interest in that. He watches DVDs, spends his money frivolously at the local charity shop and desperately tries to avoid the cold callers continuously knocking on his door. Emailing his daughter in America on the library computer and visiting his friend Smelly John used to be the highlights of his week. Now he can’t even do that.

Then a breath of fresh air comes into his life in the form of Kelly Christmas, home help. With her little blue car and appalling parking, her cheerful resilience and ability to laugh at his jokes, Kelly changes Frank’s life. She reminds him that there is a big wide-world beyond the four walls of his flat and that adventures, however small, come to people of all ages.'


Can I just say how much I love this cover! I love the cartoon element of it and when I received this book I was a little unsure what to expect, but I really liked the sound of it.

This story is about a man called Frank, he leads a very normal life, watching films, buying things from second hand shops and looking after his cat. One day he gets run over by a milk float, he is unable to look after himself as well as he could; so his daughter who lives abroad hires a carer for him, while he recovers.

Frank initially is not pleased about having a carer; however as time goes on he begins to look forward to the visits from Kelly. Kelly brings new adventure into Frank’s life and encourages him to live his life a little more.

This book is great to identify with, just because you are getting older does not mean you need to have a mundane life and you can enjoy yourself just as much in your eighty’s as you did in your twenties.

To be honest I wasn’t sure I was going to like this story, I thought I may find it a little boring and depressing, I couldn’t have been more wrong, it was upbeat and humorous. There were times when the story was a little sad and sometimes tragic; this story addresses issues that we all fear with getting older, being lonely and how our life will change.

Overall I found this story to be very enjoyable, it was moving and sad but brilliantly written and one that stays with you for long after you have finished reading it. This book I feel will appeal to all ages as getting old is a fear we all have, regardless of age. It also reminds you to grab hold of life and make sure you take all chances with both hands.

I would like to thank the publisher for sending me this in exchange for an honest review.