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reads_eats_explores's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Confession time, I requested this book on NetGalley without reading the information correctly; my brain decided to see Catherine Ryan Howard rather than Hyde, and I clicked request without reading anything else! Oops. Thankfully I enjoyed the book.
Lewis Madigan is young, gay, freshly out of work, and newly single. To make matters worse, he lives next door to Chester Wheeler, an insufferable, cantankerous, homophobic elderly man who even his paid carers cannot stand to be around; every single one at the agency has quit.
Chester’s daughter Ellie desperately needs someone to help care for her father and, running out of other options, turns to his neighbour for help. Chester doesn't want any help from a gay man, but Lewis, desperate for cash, swallows every last ounce of pride and steps in as Chester’s caregiver. How bad can it be to run a few errands, be on call, and put up with the miserable oul lad?
They exchange barbs, bicker and bait each other relentlessly, but when Chester hits Lewis with his dying wish: drive Chester to Arizona in his rust bucket of a Winnebago, he cannot say no.
Chester wants to see his ex-wife for the first time in thirty-two years and for one last time. One week, two thousand miles. For Lewis and Chester to be so constrained for this time should be hell on earth, but they learn about each other, their innermost secrets and vulnerabilities.
So Long, Chester Wheeler is a character-driven book. It is a story that will make you smile, laugh and gasp in pure horror at times. But ultimately, it is a book of personal growth, introspection and understanding, as themes of love, loss, hate, forgiveness, and redemption are threaded through the story. 3.5⭐
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an Advance Readers Copy in return for an honest review.
Lewis Madigan is young, gay, freshly out of work, and newly single. To make matters worse, he lives next door to Chester Wheeler, an insufferable, cantankerous, homophobic elderly man who even his paid carers cannot stand to be around; every single one at the agency has quit.
Chester’s daughter Ellie desperately needs someone to help care for her father and, running out of other options, turns to his neighbour for help. Chester doesn't want any help from a gay man, but Lewis, desperate for cash, swallows every last ounce of pride and steps in as Chester’s caregiver. How bad can it be to run a few errands, be on call, and put up with the miserable oul lad?
They exchange barbs, bicker and bait each other relentlessly, but when Chester hits Lewis with his dying wish: drive Chester to Arizona in his rust bucket of a Winnebago, he cannot say no.
Chester wants to see his ex-wife for the first time in thirty-two years and for one last time. One week, two thousand miles. For Lewis and Chester to be so constrained for this time should be hell on earth, but they learn about each other, their innermost secrets and vulnerabilities.
So Long, Chester Wheeler is a character-driven book. It is a story that will make you smile, laugh and gasp in pure horror at times. But ultimately, it is a book of personal growth, introspection and understanding, as themes of love, loss, hate, forgiveness, and redemption are threaded through the story. 3.5⭐
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an Advance Readers Copy in return for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Terminal illness, Cancer, Grief, and Death
srivalli's review
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
3.75
3.7 Stars
One liner: Heartwarming but not enough
Lewis Madigan is having the worst time of his life. He lost his job, the market is dull, and has no money to pay the rent. Having a rude, homophobic old man in a wheelchair as a neighbor frustrates him even more. But desperate times call for desperate measures. He agrees to become a temporary caregiver for his neighbor, Chester Wheeler.
As if that isn’t enough, Lewis feels compelled to take Chester on a drive to Arizona to meet his ex-wife. Driving Chester in a Winnebago and becoming a part of his complicated life wasn’t Lewis’ plan. But he does it anyway.
Lewis is more than surprised to learn more about the dying old man’s past. Their friendship forms a new beginning in his life… but Chester has only days left on this earth.
The story comes from the first-person POV of Lewis.
My Thoughts:
I read Dreaming of Flight by the author and loved it. Though I wasn’t expecting a similar story, I did want the same kind of feeling. This one delivers only 70% of it.
The writing is easy to follow. Lewis is 24 years old and sounds almost close to his age (and like a late teen at times). He grows assertive as the story progresses, so that’s good to read.
The premise is very good, but the execution seemed more on the surface level. Chester’s homophobia is the only thing that seems emphatic and disturbing. The rest of the emotions were sorted a little too quickly. What’s more, it feels like the author doesn’t want readers to see too deep into Chester’s past. We get bits and pieces and have to weave a story on our own.
Monetary troubles are real in any country. Here Lewis has money issues, but they are sorted out without much effort. The only thing is that he has to take care of Chester for the time being. Ellie seems to be super generous with finances. I sure wouldn’t say no to a fairy godmother like her!
Sue’s character is well done, though she gets limited space. Her arc is more implied, but it is still a better arc in the book.
Lewis is a sweet guy. He knows to draw boundaries and still be caring toward others. The book is his coming-of-age story as well. But it’s not seamless for two reasons.
Two, he is a software engineer. Sure, Ellie and Sue say caregiving is his calling. Brian agrees. But Lewis’ decision to shift careers is just not as impactful as it should have been. Also, as a software engineer, he can continue to work on freelance projects while taking care of semi-valid elders.
The last chapter/ epilogue is a short story in itself. I was ready to get a rough gist of Lewis as a happy man in his new career and with a thriving love life. What I get is another story half-similar to Chester in a condensed form. Let’s say it did nothing to make me feel warm, say aww… or get teary-eyed.
To Summarize, So Long, Chester Wheeler is a heartwarming story about dealing with life and learning to grow with grace. I wish it was better edited to up the emotional quotient.
Thank you, NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Terminal illness, Homophobia, and Death
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