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The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey
The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey | Walter Mosley
16 posts | 15 read | 15 to read
A masterful, moving novel about age, memory, and family from one of the true literary icons of our time. Ptolemy Grey is ninety-one years old and has been all but forgotten-by his family, his friends, even himself-as he sinks into a lonely dementia. His grand-nephew, Ptolemy's only connection to the outside world, was recently killed in a drive-by shooting, and Ptolemy is too suspicious of anyone else to allow them into his life. until he meets Robyn, his niece's seventeen-year-old lodger and the only one willing to take care of an old man at his grandnephew's funeral. But Robyn will not tolerate Ptolemy's hermitlike existence. She challenges him to interact more with the world around him, and he grasps more firmly onto his disappearing consciousness. However, this new activity pushes Ptolemy into the fold of a doctor touting an experimental drug that guarantees Ptolemy won't live to see age ninety- two but that he'll spend his last days in feverish vigor and clarity. With his mind clear, what Ptolemy finds-in his own past, in his own apartment, and in the circumstances surrounding his grand-nephew's death-is shocking enough to spur an old man to action, and to ensure a legacy that no one will forget. In The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey, Mosley captures the compromised state of his protagonist's mind with profound sensitivity and insight, and creates an unforgettable pair of characters at the center of a novel that is sure to become a true contemporary classic.
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TieDyeDude
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#top10of2022 Another less than stellar year of reading, but I spent the first half focused on Star Wars the High Republic, which was disappointing, despite a strong start. Checked off a couple books that have been on my TBR for years. I have a couple books I want to prioritize in 2023, but no real goals yet.

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S3V3N
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Pickpick

Wonderful, phenomenal and beautifully written book. It‘s been a while since I‘ve read a book that I couldn‘t put down, but this is one! I just couldn‘t get enough of it and didn‘t want it to end. Ptolemy reminded me of my grandfather who passed away when he was 93. Ptolemy was 91 in this story. I‘m going to watch the movie soon.

CBee I read this years ago and remember being so affected by it - one of those books that stays with you ♥️ 2y
S3V3N @CBee I can‘t stop thinking about the characters. 2y
CBee @BeaG I felt the same! I haven‘t watched the movie - I‘m a little nervous as it might hit a bit too close to home for me (my mother had dementia) 🙁 I‘m sure the movie is excellent! 2y
29 likes2 stack adds3 comments
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TieDyeDude
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It is rare and wonderful when you find such an original story. I have been wanting to delve into Mosley's work for a while, and this did not disappoint. Somewhat reminiscent of Flowers for Algernon, but dealing with themes of race and aging, a 91 year old man is pulled out of his dementia stupor by a caring teen and an experimental drug. Beautifully written, and one of my new favorite final lines.

Readergrrl Sounds perfect! I have a new summer read, I think! 2y
TieDyeDude @Readergrrl Hope you like it. It was hard to put down 2y
27 likes4 stack adds2 comments
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LeafingThroughLife
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Pickpick

I had mixed feelings about this one. The reflection on aging and the convincing perspective of a character with dementia were powerful, but Ptolemy and Robyn‘s relationship was a little weird for me. A soft pick. My October #bookspin

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 2y
20 likes1 comment
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DAB
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I have read most of Mr. Mosley books and I am fascinated by his use of language in his writings, as well as he characters.

#funfriYAY @HappilyEverKrafter

HappilyEverKrafter I have never read this book, but it‘s been on the periphery of my reading list for years if that makes sense. Thank you for the push to check it out! 4y
DAB 😁 😁@HappilyEverKrafter 👍 4y
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cdreincarnate
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Pickpick

It took me a while to get into this one, but once I did I found it fascinating. It‘s about a 91-year-old black man with dementia and a pile of stolen treasure trying to help out his family and his race as a whole. It‘s third person limited from Ptolemy‘s POV and I thought the way Mosley conveyed the confusion of dementia was masterful.

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jessberk13
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Today's thrift store haul! Best find: the Walter Mosley, which I just came across on a list of "what to read if you're missing Ove" and immediately added to my TBR!

Another score - I am only one book short of the full Little House series. As soon as I find The Long Winter, I'm starting a reread!

LeahBergen I'm feeling the need for another thrift store book hunting adventure in MY near future now! 7y
CocoReads I'm thinking of rereading the little house books too. I think my set might be missing one as well, I need to check, so I can track it down and do a reread as well. 7y
kspenmoll Nice haul-! 7y
See All 6 Comments
RadicalReader What has been your favorite book you have ever read in your lifetime? 7y
LeslieO Oh Bel Canto is soooo good. 7y
ericarobynreads LOVE Bel Canto!! I need to reread it soon! 7y
115 likes1 stack add6 comments
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leslieisreading
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I tend to cycle through books (when I actually read the ones I own instead of just collecting them and then reading books from the library instead). Except for a few keeper shelves, I like to pass books along once I have read them. Today is sunny, though chilly, so I took a stroll to my neighborhood's Little Free Library to drop off a couple recent reads.

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leslieisreading
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Pickpick

This was my first Walter Mosley and I'll definitely be seeking out more. The main character, a 91 year old black man descending into dementia, had a voice that I won't soon forget. This book had so much to say about family, love, loss, memory, race... Totally gripping and thought provoking.

Eyelit Tabby cat! 💜🐱💜 7y
10 likes1 comment
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leslieisreading
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leslieisreading
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I'll be finishing this one up today. Ptolemy is such a wonderful character.

MrBook Mmmmm!!! 7y
Krisjericho Love that mug! 7y
7 likes2 comments
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leslieisreading
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Heading out of town for approximately 24 hours. Do you think I'll have enough to read? Happy Thanksgiving!

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leslieisreading
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leslieisreading
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Taking my book around with me on today's vacation in my own town.

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leslieisreading
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Vacation breakfast and my next read.

Linsy I really like that cover. 7y
8 likes1 comment
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misslisha3
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I fell down a Walter Mosley rabbit hole recently & I'm glad I did. Love this cover.

4 likes1 stack add