Arthur die Artischocke

Royces Großvater ist ein Ekel wie es im Buche steht. Offenbar von sich und der Welt enttäuscht, schnauzt er alles und jeden an, ist mit nichts zufrieden und Mitmenschlichkeit scheint ein Fremdwort für ihn zu sein. Doch ist er mittlerweile in einem Alter, in dem es ohne Hilfe nicht mehr geht. Seine Tochter ist nicht in der Lage, sich in der Form um ihn zu kümmern wie es notwendig wäre. Und die Pflegekräfte, die sie ihm vermittelt, vergrault er bereits nach kurzer Zeit. So bleibt als letzte Lösung: Royce. Nicht dass er darüber begeistert wäre, es lockt ihn lediglich die Aussicht auf einen guten Verdienst.
Die Geschichte wird aus der Sicht des 16jährigen Royce erzählt, der ein mehr oder weniger normaler Teenager ist und seinen Großvater nicht ausstehen kann. Doch nach und nach nähern die Beiden sich an und auch wenn sie es nicht zugeben würden: Es entsteht sogar mehr als Sympathie zwischen ihnen.
Die Sprache ist recht gut getroffen, leicht schnoddrig altklug, sodass ich immer wieder grinsen musste. Zudem gelingt es der Autorin selbst bei so ernsten Themen wie Pflegebedürftigkeit im Alter und Sterbehilfe, einen humorvollen Grundton zu bewahren. Dass auf nicht einmal 250 Seiten derart große Themen abgehandelt werden (dazu noch in einem Jugendbuch), könnte einen fürchten lassen, dass sie allenfalls oberflächlich kurz angerissen werden. Doch weit gefehlt: Man spürt die Sorgen und Nöte, die Angst und Verzweiflung, die Arthurs Familie umtreiben. Und am Ende nahm ich eines noch mit: Patientenverfügung - muss ich unbedingt machen.

Ach ja, wieso Artischocke? Es ist die Definition seiner Exfrau Coralee: Aussen stachlig, innen ein weiches Herz. ( )

Reviewed by Sally Kruger aka "Readingjunky" for TeensReadToo.com

Royce can't believe it when his mother announces that they are leaving Nova Scotia and heading clear across the country to Victoria, British Columbia. He is going to be leaving behind all of his friends and the only home he has ever known, all for some grouchy 95-year-old grandfather he hardly remembers.

If moving isn't bad enough, Royce is shocked when his mother says she will pay him to act as caregiver for his grandfather until school starts at the end of the summer. At least the pay she is offering beats what he would get flipping burgers at McDonald's.

When Royce finally meets Arthur, he immediately has second thoughts about accepting this job instead of something in the fast food business. The old man totters along with the aid of a walker and watches CNN, MTV, and reruns of Little House on the Prairie. When he isn't captivated by the TV, he is yelling for coffee and chocolate ice cream or swearing at Royce. Anyone observing their daily rituals would never guess that Arthur had once been a world famous cello player and renowned womanizer.

The relationship between Royce and Arthur gradually begins to change. He is still a demanding, cantankerous old coot, but he surprises Royce one afternoon when he demands that Royce take him for a drive. Considering that Royce only has a learner's permit, it is rather amazing that Arthur trusts his young grandson to drive his most cherished possession - an awesome 1956 T-bird. The afternoon drives soon become a regular routine.

The summer Royce spends with his grandfather turns out to be valuable beyond his wildest dreams. Despite his often abrasive manner, the old man has an excellent sense of humor that matches Royce's own ironic view of life, and the companionship that forms between them provides benefits for both. When Arthur is stricken with a series of strokes, Royce is crushed to see the stately old man stripped of his dignity.

DEATH BENEFITS by author Sarah N. Harvey is the entertaining story of a friendship that bridges the generation gap and shows how two people from different times and different worlds can come to know and understand each other deeply. Readers will quickly come to love both Royce and Arthur, and to appreciate how the characters celebrate the benefits life has given them. ( )

Royce and his mother moved across Canada to be near his ailing grandfather. After his grandfather runs off all caretakers, Royce is paid to stay with him during the summer. As the summer goes on, Royce finds out a lot about his grandfather, mother, and himself.
This was a great book. I loved the relationship that forms between Royce and Arthur. They go from hating each other to finding out they have a lot in common. The music and lifestyle that Arthur had just adds to the story. I would recommend this book.

This book was excellent! It is very suitable for Young Adult readers, but even an older reader like me can enjoy it. ( )

Although it did start out slow in the beginning, I'm glad I stuck with it, and I soon found it hard to put down. While the course of the novel is rather predictable, it is very easy to relate to. As someone who has had to help care for a elderly family member in an eerily similar situation to Royce's grandfather Arthur, relating to Royce on a personal level was easy. ( )