Aging

"Nature abhors the old," said Ralph Waldo Emerson, and yet poet John Donne wrote, "No Spring nor Summer Beauty hath such grace / As I have seen in one Autumnal face." So, is aging a gift—or a curse? In this thematic collection, we present texts that reflect on this question.

The Jolly Corner

by Henry James

Publication year 1908

Genre Short Story, Fiction

Themes Nation, Regret, Self Discovery, Aging

Tags Horror & Suspense, Psychological Fiction, Gothic Literature, British Literature, American Literature, World History, Fantasy, Classic Fiction

“The Jolly Corner” is a short story written by American British writer Henry James. It is one of his most famous ghost stories, along with The Turn of the Screw (1898). It was first published in December of 1908 for The English Review magazine. “The Jolly Corner” is told from a third-person limited point of view and explores themes of The Discontinuity of Identity and The Fear of Missed Opportunity as the protagonist struggles to... Read The Jolly Corner Summary

The Keeper of Lost Things

by Ruth Hogan

Publication year 2017

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Aging

Tags Realistic Fiction, Modern Classic Fiction, Magical Realism, Romance, Fantasy

Ruth Hogan’s 2017 debut novel The Keeper of Lost Things is a romance infused with elements of the paranormal and the magical. Hogan, a career civil servant in the UK, was approaching 50 when the book was published. A prolonged recovery from a car accident and then a struggle with cancer gave her the opportunity to devote time to what had been her childhood passion for storytelling. A voracious reader, she had been writing short... Read The Keeper of Lost Things Summary

The Lakota Way

by Joseph M. Marshall III

Publication year 2001

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Aging, Indigenous Identity

Tags US History, Philosophy, Philosophy, World History, Fantasy, Religion & Spirituality

Joseph M. Marshall III, who is from the Sicangu Oglala tribe, grew up on the Rosebud Sioux Indian Reservation. He was raised by his maternal grandparents, who told him stories about Lakota traditions and culture. These stories transmit the virtues of Lakota culture, including humility, perseverance, respect, honor, love, sacrifice, truth, compassion, bravery, fortitude, generosity, and wisdom. He dedicates a chapter to each of these virtues, which are at the foundation of Lakota culture. The... Read The Lakota Way Summary

The Last Contract of Isako

by Fonda Lee

Publication year 2026

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Space, Apathy, Conflict, Guilt, Aging, Death, Future, Environment, Teamwork, Social Class, Economics, Power & Greed, Science & Technology

Tags Science Fiction, Fantasy

Fonda Lee’s The Last Contract of Isako (2026) is a science-fiction novel from the World Fantasy Award-winning author of the acclaimed Green Bone Saga series, the first book of which is Jade City (2018). Combining cyberpunk, dystopian fiction, and corporate espionage, the story is set in the future on the planet Aquilo, where a hyper-capitalist corporation governs all life. The novel follows Isthmus Isako, a legendary 50-year-old contractor who operates within a rigid warrior ethos... Read The Last Contract of Isako Summary

The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey

by Walter Mosley

Publication year 2010

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Memory, Aging, Family

Tags Mystery & Crime Fiction, Dramatic Literature, African American Literature, American Literature, Modern Classic Fiction

The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey (November 2010) is a novel by award-winning author Walter Mosley. Mosley has enjoyed a distinguished literary career, penning over forty books in the genres of mystery, science fiction, and political nonfiction. He is the first Black recipient of a National Book Foundation Medal in the category of Distinguished Contribution to American Letters. Mosley’s father was African American, and his mother was Jewish with Russian ancestry. Mosley identifies strongly with... Read The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey Summary

The Life of Samuel Johnson

by James Boswell

Publication year 1791

Genre Biography, Nonfiction

Themes Literature, Guilt, Aging, Friendship, Truth & Lies

Tags British Literature, European History, Life-Inspired Fiction, Arts & Culture, Social Class, Depression & Suicide, Religion & Spirituality, Philosophy, World History, Philosophy, Classic Fiction, Biography

James Boswell’s The Life of Samuel Johnson (1791) is often considered to be one of the finest pieces of biographical writing in the English language. Samuel Johnson was an English poet, essayist, and lexicographer who produced a pioneering and influential Dictionary of the English Language. However, he is less well-known today for his writings than as the biographical subject for Boswell, a lawyer from Scotland who first met Johnson in 1763. During their 21-year friendship... Read The Life of Samuel Johnson Summary

The Little Old Lady Who Broke All the Rules

by Catharina Ingelman-Sundberg, Transl. Rod Bradbury

Publication year 2014

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Joy, Aging, Friendship, Justice, Power & Greed

Tags Mystery & Crime Fiction, Contemporary Literature, Humor

Martha Andersson, a 79-year-old resident of Diamond House, a retirement home in Stockholm, dreams of robbing a bank. She wakes to grim reality: Since new owners took over the home, the kitchen has been axed, meals arrive under cellophane, and cost-cutting has stripped away nearly every comfort. Martha resolves to change things but knows she cannot act alone.She gathers her four closest friends from their choir group, The Vocal Chord. Rake (Bertil Engström) is a... Read The Little Old Lady Who Broke All the Rules Summary

The Master

by Colm Tóibín

Publication year 2004

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Sexual Identity, Literature, Loneliness, Love, Mental Health, Aging, Death, Family, Friendship, Social Class, Art

Tags Historical Fiction, Life-Inspired Fiction, Irish Literature

... Read The Master Summary

The Minority Report

by Philip K. Dick

Publication year 1956

Genre Short Story, Fiction

Themes Fate, Safety & Danger, Aging

Tags Science Fiction, Horror & Suspense, Mystery & Crime Fiction, Fantasy, Classic Fiction

“The Minority Report,” a short story by science fiction author Philip K. Dick, follows the story of Precrime Commissioner John A. Anderton as he decides whether or not he will commit the murder of a stranger, Leopold Kaplan, of which he has been accused approximately one week in advance of the event. Through this political and psychological dilemma, Dick explores the themes of predestination versus free will, the importance of personal values versus the greater... Read The Minority Report Summary