"The Sunset Gang" by Warren Adler invites readers to embrace the Golden Years with a mischievous twinkle in their eyes. This collection of inspirational short stories redefines the meaning of aging, portraying the residents of Sunset Village, FL, as a vibrant and lively community unapologetically enjoying their later years.

Adler's masterful storytelling unfolds through a series of sun-dappled streets where the elderly residents engage in a variety of naughty business. The tales are infused with humor, warmth, and a refreshing perspective on aging that challenges societal stereotypes. Each story introduces characters navigating love, self-realization, and growth in the sunset of their lives.

The author's portrayal of an elderly couple finding new love, a husband feeling an "itch" in the midst of village life, and a quiet woman swimming in a sea of "Yentas" adds depth to the narrative. Adler captures the essence of Sunset Village, where "old" is not a negative label but an invitation to live life to the fullest. The characters make love, dance, and laze by the pool with the exuberance of sixteen-year-olds, challenging conventional notions of aging.

The short stories offer glimpses into the diverse lives of Sunset's residents, celebrating their individuality and the shared experiences that bind them together. Adler's writing is both playful and insightful, presenting a joyful perspective on the later stages of life. The collection encourages readers to embrace the potential for love and growth at any age, making it an uplifting and heartwarming read.

While some readers may find certain elements of the stories predictable, the overall charm lies in the author's ability to capture the spirit of Sunset Village and its colorful inhabitants. The short story format allows for easy engagement, making it an ideal read for those seeking inspiration and a positive outlook on aging.

In conclusion, "The Sunset Gang" is a delightful celebration of aging, reminding readers that life's adventures, love, and self-discovery continue to unfold at every stage. Warren Adler's collection of short stories offers an inspirational and heartwarming portrayal of seniors living life disgracefully in Sunset Village, earning this book a well-deserved four stars.

Real Rating: 3.75* of five, rounded up because I got good chuckles

I RECEIVED A DRC FROM THE PUBLISHER VIA NETGALLEY. THANK YOU.

My Review</b>: Waitaminnit waitaminnit whereinahell's the Bryce Method, you ask...I hear you, don't front! I'll tell you the truth: much as I say "blahblah isn't a novel, it's a récit or braided stories or a syncretism of Egyptian death-spells with upanishads or whatever," I am equally likely to say this is a novel when told it's stories.

Just that the chapters are a funny length.

For funny old Jewish people, that shouldn't be a problem. And honestly it isn't. This is a comfort read. I got lots and lots of laughs, and as I live in a building full of old Jewish folk, I was frequently trying not to read chunks of it aloud to...no one in particular (it says here). The late Warren Adler knew exactly what he was doing writing this entertaining chronicle of aging and its indignities hidden behind a very slippery figleaf. Laughing at people is frowned on, rightly so, in today's world. But laughing at yourself, and with your friends, is the way to stay sane in a world that won't listen to you, doesn't much want you, but still has your heart walking around in it.

That's everyone in here. While the author first published it in 1977, when a lot of the world's prejudices were different, the list of concerns of the Greatest-Generation cast of Jewish folks sounds exactly the way my neighbors sound. It's a little odd, when I think about it, that the immigrants raised in the 1930s on the Lower East Side and Brownsville who mostly populate the book are darn near clones of the Long Island facility I occupy. But I think it shows cultural continuity is very much a feature of Jewish identity. I know several of my friends here are children of Auschwitz and other camp survivors...only recently, early in COVID, did our last survivor resident die. (Vale Arthur, quit nagging Yhwh about what she needs to do better.)

Oh, okay. I can't resist the power of Tradition in this context. Bryce, your method lives...but <a href="https://expendablemudge.blogspot.com/2022/05/the-sunset-gang-old-age-aint-for.html">only on my blog</a>!

A fun, if stereotypical look at old age in a Florida retirement community. Each story, while independent, relates to the community as a whole.
Some of the characters are caricatures of what people expect of elders. others are attempting to break out of those roles. Sex, pain, relationship and memory issues are all tackled.
A fun read.

What a delightful book this was! I loved the stories of the characters and their antics. I am aging and the tales were an inspiration to me. Very well written and engaging.
Many thanks to Stonehouse Press and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

A good collection of short stories related to aging and not wanting to give up life.
There's humour but there's also some sharp observation and, as I'm not that young, I could relate to the characters.
It's a mixed bag but I enjoyed it.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

The Sunset Gang is a series of short stories centered on the theme of retirement living in a Jewish lower middle-class enclave in southern Florida. Adler used humor, patience and understanding when he showcased different characters struggling to adapt from working life to retirement. A huge departure from his normal suspense-filled dramas, I wasn't sure I'd like this. But in the end he left me I wanting more. Bravo Warren Adler!

The Sunset Gang was such a great read! Author Warren Adler wrote a collection of short stories about a retirement village in Florida and the residents that live there. The novel puts a new light on people of a certain age and proving that life goes on no matter what your age. I was laughing out loud during several of the stories and some are sad too. I read this over the course of several days and really enjoyed it!

Set in Sunset Village condominium retirement community in Florida “The Sunset Gang” is a story about aging where indeed the occupants are not ready to pack it all in and not by a long shot. Sex and romantic love keep the Village bubbling with activity and the old at heart will teach us a lot about living after aren’t they experts.....

This novel is a collection of ten short stories revolving around the retirement village. Apart from old age and living in the same community what connects them all is the fact that they are Jews sharing a language, identity and way of life.

The chapters:

1. Yiddish: brings two people to discover themselves and their love of life again.
2. Itch: is a testament to how lonely old age can be and how they miss the old days.
3. An Unexpected Visit: After a visit with his father the son reflects on his own life.
4. The Detective: tells us how pride can be a huge obstacle.
5. God Made Me That Way: karma brings two elderly together.
6. The Braggart: money is good but does not replace children who care enough to keep in touch.
7. The Demonstration: A man stands up for his people it is all about anti-Semitism, racism and hatred.
8. The Angel of Mercy: death definitely hovers over retirement village. One resident knows when death is around the corner.
9. Poor Herman: two residents meet again after many decades apart and reconnect as they were teenagers.
10. The Home: a scary thought. Too old to make decisions themselves and unable to take care of...a situation many of us will possibly face...

My thoughts:

Each story is of the high quality and is written with the expert pen of a playwright: visual, clever with a touch of humour not forgetting sad moments. The Yiddish language is in parts difficult to follow but I overcame this frustration thanks to Google. This is a decent read, somewhat satisfying but by far not my favourite by this author.

If this is the life in a retirement community....I prefer staying put where I live.....

Just finished this enjoyable short story collection set in a Florida Retirement Community. Each story evoked emotion which I, as a member of the older generation, could relate to. Warren Adler is a talented author and I shall definitely read more of his work.. Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book.

LOL funny! Reading this book was a perfect way to spend a rainy Saturday. I’m not Jewish so I’m not sure if the contents hold true or not. But I am in my late fifties with a mother who is 77 so some of these stories hit a little close to home, in a humorous kind of way. Several things in the book are what make me roll my eyes at my mom and it is interesting that I get miffed at her doing things that I laughed about in this book. I plan to buy my mom and sister this book I know they will find it as funny and endearing as I did

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC for an exchange for an honest review.

Not bad, but I was not wowed. Some stories were better then others.

An absolutely charming collection of short stories about elderly Jewish people living and living it up in a Floridian retirement community of Sunset Village, hence the title…this was a lovely random find through Netgalley. The author’s name didn’t ring a bell, but as it turns out actually I do have some familiarity with his work if only through cinematic adaptations, of which there were several. This book was a basis for PBS miniseries too, albeit one I’ve not heard of until now.
I weirdly enjoy stories with older protagonists, there’s something reassuring about the way they get second and third acts late in life. This collection has a built in inspirational title and I suppose in that way it is an inspiration. But also an ever important reminder that age doesn’t change basic needs and desires, doesn’t erase personalities and quirks, that the elderly are not merely vulnerable or difficult or nuisances to take care of, nor are they warm and fuzzy grandparental clichés, but instead interesting complicated individuals they always were and everyone is, just with more creaks and wrinkles.
The stories in this collection are so perfectly uniform in quality, it’s difficult to play favorites. But very easy to enjoy the sum total. The writing, character and otherwise, is absolutely excellent. Makes for a very charming read indeed, but one that never veers into the cutesy territory that seems to be popular now, with a sort of magic old people, you know the rascal/sage combination, just what the youngsters need to make them appreciate life, etc. None of that silliness here. It’s just all good. Published originally in 1977 and doesn’t read dated at all. An entertaining quick read. I liked it very much.
It stands to mention that the edition I read has a different cover and appears to be newer, but for some reason it features an author bio that talks about a man who passed away in 2019 in present tense. Which was weird. So Netgalley readers beware. It’s still a very good introduction to the author, albeit a posthumous one. Recommended. Thanks Netgalley.

DNF @ 54%. The stories were fairly interesting and somewhat clever, but I just couldn't get past the several instances of casual racism and fat shaming. Even if the characters delivering the sentiments weren't always supposed to be sympathetic, it's just not something I'm particularly keen to have in my leisure reading.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review.