Mark Nepo's book, The Fifth Season, is accessible to newcomers of his work. This book is set up in a similar way to his past books.

-Chapter content
-Quotes before and included in each chapter
-Passages from other texts or oral traditions
-Questions to ask yourself at the end of each chapter
-Discussion topic with others at the end of each chapter

In The Fifth Season, readers meet a mature Mark Nepo now in his seventies. If you've been a reader of his work then this will feel like you're meeting up with someone you only get to see every few years and you have some catching up to do. This book doesn't pull punches with conversation around the topics of aging and mortality. From the sound of it, Nepo is satisfied with the life he's had and if he were to die today, he'd be comfortable with it.

With that in mind, if the subject of facing death is not something you're in a mental place for, you'll probably want to keep this around without reading it until you are truly ready. All of us will die. We shouldn't be afraid to talk about it. Yet, in many (probably most) American families, this is a taboo. About the only thing you may hear from an aging loved one is what they want to wear when they're buried or however they're sent off to the afterlife.

Nepo is a white, cisgender, heterosexual man. He's had privilege. He doesn't address that in any of his books from what I can remember. He talks about his life and his friendships matter-of-factly. If you read this book to find out how to prepare for death or caretaking, keep that in mind. His experience may not resemble yours at all.

His personal brush with Death was in his thirties when he suffered with a rare cancer. He's always talked about this subject and how it impacted his life. Now that he is in his senior years, it seems easier for him to discuss his inevitable demise than if he hadn't already spent decades contemplating all that comes with dying. In The Fifth Season, readers get his account of aging; but there are many calls to action. He wants to there to be more conversations about death in his hope of all people letting go of the fear. In Yoga, this fear of death and the grip on life is called abhinivesha.

The Fifth Season could be appreciated by younger readers (under 40 years old), but they may not get the same out of it unless they are close to aging loved ones; are a caretaker; have their own illnesses; or, do not have basic fundamental survival needs being met. Nepo's ease in welcoming death is not about self-harming nor should it be taken that way. A young parent who doesn't know when the next meal is coming may think about death obsessively in unhealthy ways that are authentic to them. This book—while trying to overcome fear for discussion—is not about encouraging death.

Nepo pushes for people to find what they love in life. As a poet and author of self-help books, he typically gives tips on creative experiences like visual art or music. However, if you love your job and it's filled with black and white solutions to problems rather than being a creative outlet like plein air painting, find your joy there.

Due to Nepo's poetic nature, the chapters' section can take wandering routes to make his points. His gift with language is beautiful, but readers looking quickly for his tips may end up glossing over paragraphs until reaching the summaries with conversation and journaling suggestions.

Summary:

Mark Nepo continues his call for people to find joy in who they are. He encourages authenticity. If you don't know who you are yet, his journaling and conversation tips are a great place to start. If you're not feeling joy, he questions directly, what makes you feel joy? If you can't take the next step in your life, he asks, what are your afraid of? His other important directive is for readers to overcome their fear of death because it is inevitable. Find peace sooner rather than later.

Readers who are feeling age creep up on them will likely connect with The Fifth Season and Nepo's brazenness to talk about getting older, grief, loss, death, and diseases (like cancer, dementia, Alzheimer's). If all your meetings with friends open with noticing who isn't there or which appointments are scheduled for that week, there is common ground regardless of race and privileges. However, if you are a reader that is from a marginalized group, there are probably better books for you. This book doesn't seem to have anything insulting in it, but I'm a middle-aged, white, cisgender woman. I might not pick up on the same things as another reader.
Rating: 4 stars

A thoughtful, reflective book on aging. I had read Mark Nepo's meditations and found them inspiring and provocative. This book finds me as I have starting "feeling my age." I appreciate that someone has given this topic a fresh think and deep dive. This book has given me lots to think about and numerous topics to journal about.

Highly recommended.

The Fifth Season Creativity in the Second Half of Life by Mark Nepo

272 Pages
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press, St. Martin’s Essentials
Release Date: July 15, 2025

Nonfiction, Parenting, Families, Religion, Spirituality, Self-Help, Aging

This book addresses the aging process and how it changes us. When we were younger, actions and injuries seemed minor but as we age, they take on more meaning and can stop us in our tracks. He also discusses how we need more living and less stuff. One topic that really hit home for me was how much our world has gotten smaller. Something he says is the same thing my doctor has been telling me. Change your routine. If you are going to the grocery store, go a different way or to another store.

The book has short chapters with journaling prompts. I have read all of Mark’s book, but this one really resonates with me. I have read it twice already and plan on reading it again but slower so I can get the most out of it. If you are getting older, this book will certainly will give you suggestions to enjoy life.