It's an extract from Tony Parson's award-winning book A Man and a Boy, which later, with two sequels, has developed into "Harry Silver" series; so, for those who'll got caught with the story - a long way to go read to enjoy.
Besides, if you're a type who prefers going deeper rather than wider, there's a new online book-based course on offer:
Subject: Марафон по книге. Вопросы к участникам форума.
Starting in September!
And below's an extract for you either to try your hand at translation or, just to help you make a more balanced decision about joining the course - because, it's sometimes better to have a bite of your own rather than rely on someone else's opinions (here, I'm talking about the GoodReads reviews); besides, it will show you whether it is the right level for you - as we're not always able to estimate it accurately.
In the extract, we meet Harry, a successful TV producer, happily married, with a child, on the eve of his 30th birthday, unaware of what he is to face soon.
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All my images of this particular birthday seemed derived from some glossy American sitcom. When I thought of turning thirty, I thought of attractive thirty-nothing marrieds fooling around like teens in heat while in the background a gurgling baby crawls across some polished parquet floor, or I saw a circle of good-looking, wisecracking friends drinking latte and showing off their impressive knitwear while wryly bemoaning the dating game. That was my problem. When I thought of turning thirty, I thought of somebody else’s life.
But that’s what thirty should be—grown-up without being disappointed, settled without being complacent, worldly wise but not so worldly wise that you feel like chucking yourself under a train. The time of your life.
By thirty you have finally realized that you are not going to live forever, of course. But surely that should only make the laughing, latte-drinking present taste even sweeter? You shouldn’t let your inevitable death put a damper on things. Don’t let the long, slow slide to the grave get in the way of a good time.
Whether you are enjoying the last few years of unmarried freedom or you have recently moved on to a more adult, more committed way of life with someone you love, it's difficult to imagine a truly awful way of turning thirty.
But I managed to find one somehow.
But that’s what thirty should be—grown-up without being disappointed, settled without being complacent, worldly wise but not so worldly wise that you feel like chucking yourself under a train. The time of your life.
By thirty you have finally realized that you are not going to live forever, of course. But surely that should only make the laughing, latte-drinking present taste even sweeter? You shouldn’t let your inevitable death put a damper on things. Don’t let the long, slow slide to the grave get in the way of a good time.
Whether you are enjoying the last few years of unmarried freedom or you have recently moved on to a more adult, more committed way of life with someone you love, it's difficult to imagine a truly awful way of turning thirty.
But I managed to find one somehow.