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288
Novel • Fiction
Los Angeles, California • Contemporary
2010
Adult
18+ years
The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey follows ninety-one-year-old Ptolemy Grey, who struggles with memory loss and lives alone in a rundown Los Angeles neighborhood. After his caregiver and grand-nephew Reggie is killed, teenage Robyn becomes his new caretaker. With her help, Ptolemy takes an experimental drug to regain his memory for a final opportunity to right past wrongs. This novel explores dementia, elder care, and the impact of violence.
Emotional
Melancholic
Contemplative
Mysterious
Heartwarming
10,655 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Walter Mosley's The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey is commended for its poignant exploration of aging and memory, featuring a compelling protagonist and eloquent prose. Critics appreciate its emotional depth and thought-provoking themes. However, some find the plot pacing uneven. Overall, it is praised for its humanistic narrative and rich character development.
Readers who enjoy The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey by Walter Mosley likely appreciate character-driven narratives with deep emotional and psychological themes. Fans of Toni Morrison's Beloved or Kazuo Ishiguro's Never Let Me Go will find similar introspective and poignant storytelling in Mosley's work.
10,655 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Robyn Small
An eighteen-year-old orphan who becomes Ptolemy's caregiver, helping him tidy his life and home, and forming a deep, affectionate bond with him.
Coy "Coydog" McCann
An old sharecropper from Ptolemy's past whose memory and advice continue to guide Ptolemy, having left Ptolemy with a secret about hidden gold.
Melinda Hogarth
A woman who lives near Ptolemy and has been intimidating and extorting money from him for years, while being largely unaware of the treasure in his possession.
Doctor Bryant Ruben
A researcher offering Ptolemy an experimental treatment for memory recovery, presenting both potential benefits and ethical dilemmas.
Hilda "Niecie" Brown
Ptolemy's grandniece, who attempts to support him by involving family members in his care, while also managing her own complex family dynamics.
Hilliard "Hilly" Brown
Niecie’s son, reluctantly takes on the role of Ptolemy’s caretaker, characterized by his greedy and self-serving behavior.
Nina Brown
Reggie's wife who is more concerned with her own desires than family, involved in complicated personal relationships.
Alfred Gulla
Nina's boyfriend who becomes entangled in the lives of Ptolemy and his family, bringing conflict and danger.
288
Novel • Fiction
Los Angeles, California • Contemporary
2010
Adult
18+ years
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