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1. Marlene
   The protagonist of this refreshing modern-day novel is Bertie, a sophisticated 75-year-old widow, who explores the enticing virtual world of the metaverse. The story flips back-and-forth between Bertie’s 2020’s urban life in Seattle, in which she’s embedded with her family and friends in a sphere of techies, and her metaverse, in the eclectic Venice Beach enclave in California in the 1970’s. That storied beach town, which has been home to the likes of singers Cher and David Bowie and authors Oliver Sacks and Kurt Vonnegut, is the vibrant backdrop for Viv, Bertie’s sexy 22-year-old avatar. The book describes how Bertie is drawn to her alter ego in Viv’s exciting life on a vibrant beach, at the expense of her real-life human connections, with its associated tensions. Sandra Chait’s lively and engaging writing style gives one an exciting glimpse into virtual reality, while underscoring the more ominous aspects of living in an unreal world. Great read!

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2. Someone is seeing us at last
   This book offers a refreshing look at the world through the eyes of the 70-plus female. It’s not a kind world, full of unintended insults, frequent ignoring and general irrelevance. Enter the promise of AI and the possibility of late life love. Our heroine naturally jumps at the chance. But promises don’t always pan out…. An enjoyable ride in compelling prose through the life and loves of Old Bean.

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3. Fantastic read!
   From the outset, I was drawn in by the intergenerational flow of knowledge and language. This novel offers a refreshing reflection of the complex challenges that persist well into later life, along with the dangers of losing oneself in a digital world. Highly recommend this thought provoking exploration of technology and desire!

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4. A fun read about older women
   A novel about a septuagenarian and her 13 y.o. granddaughter who bond through virtual reality until Bertie neglects her responsibilities as a caregiver and friend. An intriguing read about an invisible group in our society, older women.

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5. A grandmother and her granddaughter relationships in a digital world.
   Fascinating, delightful story about the matriarch, Berti, of a typical Seattle family, who is very close to her granddaughter. Bertie does her best to cope with aging and the loss of her husband while thriving with her family and friends. Through her granddaughter Lisa, she becomes familiar with and starts using video games and a novel VR metaverse. Real-life themes of generational connections, love, and support in our age of digital technology are beautifully woven into a fantasy story. Great read and a base for very interesting discussions.

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6. A heartwarming, hilarious late-life adventure!
   Old Bean’s Last Fantasy is a gem that captures the essence of reinvention, resilience, and the joy of unexpected connections. Sandra Chait’s storytelling is vibrant and layered, with humor and poignancy woven seamlessly throughout.Roberta “Bertie” Glazer is a protagonist you can’t help but root for—a spirited 75-year-old navigating modern technology, family dynamics, and her own past with grace and a sharp wit. Chait’s writing brings Bertie’s world to life, from her quirky friendships to the tender bond with her granddaughter, Lisa. Their gaming sessions and heartfelt conversations leap off the page with authenticity, making this story deeply relatable.But it’s not just a personal tale. Chait takes readers on a journey through themes of aging, identity, and the ever-evolving digital world. The blend of humor and heart ensures you’ll laugh, cry, and finish the book feeling inspired.Whether you’re a fan of richly drawn characters, multigenerational stories, or late-life transformations, Old Bean’s Last Fantasy is a must-read. It’s a timely reminder that it’s never too late to dream, grow, and embrace life’s adventures. Highly recommended!

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7. What’s a grandma to do?
   The plot in ‘Old Bean’s Last Fantasy’ is very clever interweaving a close multigenerational Jewish family, survivorship support between aging battle scarred widows with the intrusion and ultimately the temptation of technology- assisted escape into virtual reality. The location is Seattle’s South Lake Union, a massive tech day village populated by tens of thousands computer engineers and other social media enablers. What’s a grandma to do? There is some fine writing here that will stir 60s hippies and just about anyone nostalgic for a recent romantic time past. And then there is an ending you were not expecting.

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8. Not the target audience and I couldn’t put it down.
   I’m not the target audience for this book. And yet I couldn’t put it down. Poignant, thoughtful, superbly well written story about how the near future might provide a device to help us elders cope with being lonely, spouseless and wanting to taste that nostalgic sense of youth and wonder, from our past. The author does a lovely job of dealing with family relationships, close friendships, and the dopamine suck of our current and soon to be techno devices, that alienate us while exploring whether they provide a beneficial boost as well. Wonderful engaging story indeed.

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