The Day-to-Day Life of Albert Hastings

by KayLynn Deveney, Albert Hastings

When Albert Hastings was eighty-five years old, a photographer named KayLynn Deveney moved next door to his small flat housed in an old Victorian in the town of Newport, Wales. KayLynn took notice of the small rituals and routines—gardening, laundry, grocery shopping—that made up Bert’s life. A friendship slowly developed and soon KayLynn began documenting parts of Bert’s day. Bert and KayLynn developed a simple yet effective rapport. With her photographs and his handwritten text, the pair began a project that became much more than a diary or an art project. It evolved into a poignant and profound chronicle of aging, living alone, and the small things that make up our daily lives and bring moments of happiness—a cup of tea, lying in the sun, a hot breakfast, a good whiskey. The book includes seventy-five photographs of Bert in his surroundings from his home and garden to the streets of Newport, all annotated in Bert’s own hand. In addition, Deveney has added a number of illustrations, such as poems written by Bert, his clock drawings, and his personal family photographs. The Day-to-Day Life of Albert Hastings gives the reader a glimpse into one man’s life. We can only imagine what stories are left untold, both in Bert’s life and the lives of those around us.

Genres: Photography, Nonfiction

116 pages, Hardcover

First published July 5, 2007

Reviews

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the book that sits on my coffee table. It is a pure delight.

[Brent · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simply beautiful.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the simple clean crisp photography against Albert’s simple comments on the “mundane” of his every day. A beautiful tribute to a man now gone.

[Eleanor Francis · Rating 5 out of 5]

So intimate and effecting. An absolute gift from Deveny and Mr. Hastings

[Jamie Felton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was shelving in Photography, and this book caught my eye. KayLynn Deveney moved to Wales in order to study Photography. Meanwhile, she discovered her neighbor, Albert Hastings, an old man who lives by himself in an apartment building near her own. She was intrigued by his "quiet presence" and decided to befriend him. This book is a study of Albert's day to day life, his routines and quirks. She photographs him doing things she finds particularly resonant or revealing of this man's character. It is such a lovely tribute to a life well-lived, and the moments she has documented are so private and intimate yet simultaneously universal that you can't really help but to feel an emotional connection to him.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderfully poignant book with beautiful photographs depicting the mundane activities of the daily life of a pensioner. There is a beauty to these photos that makes us look at life from another perspective.
Albert's captions to these photos give us an insight into the way he views his own life, and occassionally the world around him.
I believe it's a fitting tribute to a man who sadly is no longer a part of this world.

[Molly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Photographer Kaylynn Deveney presents this exquisite collection of images of her elderly neighbor, Albert Hastings. The shots capture the quiet grace and elegant domesticity of the older man, who was 91 when the book was published. (He has since died.) This is one of those tiny little books that makes you feel quiet and pleased when you look at it.

[Jenni Simmons · Rating 5 out of 5]

This lovely book is full of photographs revealing the beauty of the elderly and simplicity. It is a must-have.

[Ali Edwards · Rating 4 out of 5]

A simple, profound book. One I pick up every once in awhile + flip through the pages. A gem of everyday life: photos + words.

[Melody · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this at Powell's today, and found it very moving and lovely. Quiet and powerful photographs give one a window into the last year or so of Hastings' life. Recommended.

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a really sweet documentary of an older man's day to day. I think I would really enjoy being friends with someone like Albert.

[Sarah Ahmed · Rating 5 out of 5]

tears.
everywhere.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely little book about the simple pleasures of everyday life.