Wrinkled Rebels

Now 80 years old, retirement and advanced age have crushed the spirit of six committed college radicals of the 1960s, who together had participated in civil rights campaigns and anti-war protests. Having pursued separate careers and engaging in only periodic communication with each other over the decades, they suddenly receive an invitation to gather for an extended weekend at a country cabin.

Struggling with the vagaries of old age, they have divergent expectations from the get-together. Rebecca, who has lost both her wife and lifelong job as a union organizer, is seeking companionship. Malaika, the only African American member of their clique, feels lost after stepping down from her successful law firm and is looking for direction in her life. Mourning her youthful athletic prowess and attractiveness, Deanna is wary of how she will be viewed by the others.

A professor emeritus, Russell is dealing with a third failing marriage and two heart attacks. After burning his draft card, Max had left for Canada where he became an architect and single father. Now facing dementia, he is unsure of what to expect from the weekend. Keith, exhausted from decades of environmental activism and Parkinson's disease, eagerly awaits spending time with his former companions.

During the three days together, the old comrades confront their inner demons, each other, and their future. They also bond through shared stories, politics, and long conversations. They realize that despite their decades of separation, they still speak the same language.

© 2025 Lantern Audio (Audiobook): 9781965655740

Release date

Audiobook: 24 September 2025