Picture a Dutch storyteller who turned the twilight years into a riotous, heartfelt adventure—meet Hendrik Groen! Behind this pseudonym lies Peter de Smet, a librarian who, at 61, unveiled a literary sensation with The Secret Diary of Hendrik Groen, 83¼ Years Old. His witty, poignant diaries of an octogenarian in an Amsterdam care home captured hearts worldwide, blending humor with a sharp take on aging.
Groen’s debut novel became an international bestseller, translated into over 20 languages and sparking a TV series and stage play. With a knack for finding joy in the mundane, Groen’s work invites readers to laugh, cry, and rethink what it means to grow old.
The Making of Hendrik Groen
Little is known about Peter de Smet’s early life, born in 1954, as he fiercely guarded his privacy. A librarian by trade, he shunned the spotlight, letting his pseudonym, Hendrik Groen, take center stage. His love for storytelling blossomed quietly, and in 2014, he debuted his first diary on Torpedo Magazine’s literary website, crafting a voice that felt both timeless and fresh. De Smet’s choice to write as an elderly man suggests a deep empathy for the overlooked, shaped perhaps by observing life’s small dramas in his native Netherlands.
Hendrik Groen’s Unforgettable Stories
Groen’s debut, The Secret Diary of Hendrik Groen, 83¼ Years Old, is a year-long chronicle of life in a care home, where the protagonist rebels against weak tea and petty rules. With his Old-But-Not-Dead Club, Hendrik stirs mischief, forms friendships, and finds love, all with a dry wit that earned the 2016 Dutch Book Audience Award. The book’s blend of humor and heartache spent over 30 weeks on Dutch bestseller lists.
The sequel, On the Bright Side: The New Secret Diary of Hendrik Groen, 85 Years Old, dives deeper into loss and resilience as Hendrik mourns his friend Eefje. Yet, the Old-But-Not-Dead Club’s antics—like chocolate workshops and global cuisine dinners—keep the spirit alive. Later works, like Live and Let Live, shift to new characters but retain Groen’s satirical charm. His final diary, Herrenabend, sees a 90-year-old Hendrik facing memory loss with undimmed humor. Groen’s style—direct, witty, and tender—turns everyday struggles into profound reflections on dignity and joy.
Why Hendrik Groen Matters
Hendrik Groen’s diaries reshaped how we view aging, blending comedy with unflinching honesty about care home life. Selling over half a million copies in the Netherlands alone, his work resonates globally, from readers to critics who call him “the male Elena Ferrante.” By giving voice to the elderly, Groen challenges stereotypes, reminding us that life’s spark endures. His anonymity only adds to the allure, making his stories feel universal yet deeply personal.
- Born: 1954 (as Peter de Smet)
- Key Works: The Secret Diary of Hendrik Groen, On the Bright Side, Live and Let Live, Herrenabend
- Awards: 2016 Dutch Book Audience Award
Snag The Secret Diary of Hendrik Groen and dive into a world where age is just a number and mischief is timeless!