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askatknits's review against another edition
5.0
If you want a book exactly like A Man Called Ove, you will be sorely disappointed. But, if you are looking for a story that will challenge your thoughts and ideas on aging and death, then this book will not disappoint!
Millard Salter is a widower who has determined that he wants to be the master of his destiny, even unto (and especially in) death. This wonderful story shares his last day on earth; a day that is interspersed with friends, family, an explosion, a tangle with a lynx, and even a surprise birthday party. One thing I especially found endearing in this story was how brilliant the author shows how random things can trigger memories! And once those memories are triggered, how easily it is to get off track. Which Millard does frequently, with rich and powerful memories and while some might find this tedious, I found this portrayal profoundly accurate. The writing is compelling, moving, and at times humorous!
This story is also about ones right to die. And, Appel does this unbelievably well. The tenderness that love and intimacy bring to the end of life are portrayed powerfully. Millard Salter's Last Day explores a difficult subject in a fresh and inviting way and it is a book that will stay with you long after you have finished it.
I received this book from NetGalley for an early review.
Millard Salter is a widower who has determined that he wants to be the master of his destiny, even unto (and especially in) death. This wonderful story shares his last day on earth; a day that is interspersed with friends, family, an explosion, a tangle with a lynx, and even a surprise birthday party. One thing I especially found endearing in this story was how brilliant the author shows how random things can trigger memories! And once those memories are triggered, how easily it is to get off track. Which Millard does frequently, with rich and powerful memories and while some might find this tedious, I found this portrayal profoundly accurate. The writing is compelling, moving, and at times humorous!
This story is also about ones right to die. And, Appel does this unbelievably well. The tenderness that love and intimacy bring to the end of life are portrayed powerfully. Millard Salter's Last Day explores a difficult subject in a fresh and inviting way and it is a book that will stay with you long after you have finished it.
I received this book from NetGalley for an early review.
emilymahon15's review against another edition
3.0
This is exactly what the title advertises. An old man, Dr. Millard Salter, a psychiatrist, whom in the wake of is love’s health decline decides that today, his 75th birthday is his last day. Overall the book was a bit slow, and didn’t speak to me the way I thought it would. However, I found myself rooting for the title to be wrong. it wasn’t. And I wished Millard the best in wherever we end up on our last days.
karenleagermain's review against another edition
2.0
Thank you to Gallery Books for providing me with a copy of Jacob M. Appel's novel, Millard Salter's Last Day, in exchange for an honest review.
PLOT- Psychiatrist Millard Salter has decided to kill himself. The love of his life has recently died after an illness and he fears the idea of growing old with the possibility of having a disease or needing assistance. He feels that he has lived enough life and plans to hang himself, while things are still good. With this plan in mind, he spends his last couple of days tying up loose ends. He tries to wrap things up at work and visits with his ex-wife and adult children. He soon learns that leaving might not be as easy as he had anticipated.
LIKE- It took me time to get into the pacing and rhythm of Millard Salter's Last Day, but as soon as I did (last third of the story,) I felt swept away. Appel has created a complicated protagonist in Salter and I felt the weight of his worries and sorrows. Through his characters, Appel makes a strong argument for the need to have assisted suicide and speaks to the trauma of watching a loved one battle through a terminal disease. Salter helps a loved on with assisted suicide, which is described in detail.
Although Salter is a lauded psychiatrist, his fears and depression create a situation where he justifies ending his life. I suppose the argument could be made that people should have the freedom to live their lives ( or end their lives) as they see fit, at any stage, but I felt the overriding theme of Millard Salter's Last Day is that Salter's life should not end. His judgement is clouded. The worst of it, is none of the other doctor's at the hospital where he works, even notice that something is wrong. They are too busy trying to get ahead in their careers and dealing with office politics. Salter's family doesn't notice either. It's a sad and unfortunate situation all around, a commentary on how isolated people can feel and how blind we can all be to the suffering of others.
DISLIKE- Millard Salter's Last Day is pitched as a book similar to Frederik Backman's novel, A Man Called Ove. They deal with similar themes; like Salter, Ove is hell-bent on killing himself and finds the leaving process to be more difficult than anticipated. However, that's where the similarities end. Backman's novel has humor and light to breakup the heavy theme. Ove undergoes a huge transformation, where as Salter stays the same. Salter's weak story arc, my primary issue with the story.
I had compassion for Salter, but I found him to be a difficult character to stay with for an entire novel. I couldn't read Millard Salter's Last Day, without reading several other books at the same time. As such, it took me over a month to read, when it should have taken a day or two. As I mentioned previously, it didn't grab me until the last third, the first two-thirds were sluggish.
RECOMMEND- Probably not. Millard Salter's Last Day is heavy. Salter is a solid character, but he doesn't have a solid story.
Like my review? Check out my blog!
PLOT- Psychiatrist Millard Salter has decided to kill himself. The love of his life has recently died after an illness and he fears the idea of growing old with the possibility of having a disease or needing assistance. He feels that he has lived enough life and plans to hang himself, while things are still good. With this plan in mind, he spends his last couple of days tying up loose ends. He tries to wrap things up at work and visits with his ex-wife and adult children. He soon learns that leaving might not be as easy as he had anticipated.
LIKE- It took me time to get into the pacing and rhythm of Millard Salter's Last Day, but as soon as I did (last third of the story,) I felt swept away. Appel has created a complicated protagonist in Salter and I felt the weight of his worries and sorrows. Through his characters, Appel makes a strong argument for the need to have assisted suicide and speaks to the trauma of watching a loved one battle through a terminal disease. Salter helps a loved on with assisted suicide, which is described in detail.
Although Salter is a lauded psychiatrist, his fears and depression create a situation where he justifies ending his life. I suppose the argument could be made that people should have the freedom to live their lives ( or end their lives) as they see fit, at any stage, but I felt the overriding theme of Millard Salter's Last Day is that Salter's life should not end. His judgement is clouded. The worst of it, is none of the other doctor's at the hospital where he works, even notice that something is wrong. They are too busy trying to get ahead in their careers and dealing with office politics. Salter's family doesn't notice either. It's a sad and unfortunate situation all around, a commentary on how isolated people can feel and how blind we can all be to the suffering of others.
DISLIKE- Millard Salter's Last Day is pitched as a book similar to Frederik Backman's novel, A Man Called Ove. They deal with similar themes; like Salter, Ove is hell-bent on killing himself and finds the leaving process to be more difficult than anticipated. However, that's where the similarities end. Backman's novel has humor and light to breakup the heavy theme. Ove undergoes a huge transformation, where as Salter stays the same. Salter's weak story arc, my primary issue with the story.
I had compassion for Salter, but I found him to be a difficult character to stay with for an entire novel. I couldn't read Millard Salter's Last Day, without reading several other books at the same time. As such, it took me over a month to read, when it should have taken a day or two. As I mentioned previously, it didn't grab me until the last third, the first two-thirds were sluggish.
RECOMMEND- Probably not. Millard Salter's Last Day is heavy. Salter is a solid character, but he doesn't have a solid story.
Like my review? Check out my blog!
justjoel's review against another edition
2.0
This book turned out to be just okay to me.
Our titularly named protagonist wakes up on his 75th birthday, determined to put a few issues to rest before committing suicide. One of these issues is the assisted suicide of the first woman he's loved since his wife died.
There's not a lot of external drama here (discounting the missing lynx): almost all of the struggle is internal as the reader rides along in Millard's head as he ponders how and why he is ready to end his days. He is a complex and flawed character, and as such has been both hero and villain in his lifetime, and has come to terms with who he is.
There are still some small wonders ahead in Millard's last day, and for the most part I enjoyed seeing things from his perspective: of someone feeling nostalgic for the past, as someone wishing they could undo mistakes, as someone wanting the best for a struggling adult child. But there were a few issues that held me back from enjoying it more fully. These were mainly editorial issues. Pacing could have been better (this would probably have been stronger as a short story). Spelling could have been better (I'm looking at you, "Pekinese"). Twists could have been more impactful by being less predictable.
But the main reason this didn't rate higher for me was.
I did enjoy the details that made a couple of the side characters really come to life. I think I will remember the pair of them far longer than I will Millard Salter.
2 out of 5 stars
Our titularly named protagonist wakes up on his 75th birthday, determined to put a few issues to rest before committing suicide. One of these issues is the assisted suicide of the first woman he's loved since his wife died.
There's not a lot of external drama here (discounting the missing lynx): almost all of the struggle is internal as the reader rides along in Millard's head as he ponders how and why he is ready to end his days. He is a complex and flawed character, and as such has been both hero and villain in his lifetime, and has come to terms with who he is.
There are still some small wonders ahead in Millard's last day, and for the most part I enjoyed seeing things from his perspective: of someone feeling nostalgic for the past, as someone wishing they could undo mistakes, as someone wanting the best for a struggling adult child. But there were a few issues that held me back from enjoying it more fully. These were mainly editorial issues. Pacing could have been better (this would probably have been stronger as a short story). Spelling could have been better (I'm looking at you, "Pekinese"). Twists could have been more impactful by being less predictable.
But the main reason this didn't rate higher for me was
Spoiler
due to the sheer unbelievability factor generated where no one seemed the least bit surprised to see a 75-year-old return home from work with wounds and torn clothesI did enjoy the details that made a couple of the side characters really come to life. I think I will remember the pair of them far longer than I will Millard Salter.
2 out of 5 stars
mindfullibrarian's review against another edition
3.0
What a quirky little book! My rating for this one was knocked down by some of the major meandering in the last half of the story, but I still definitely enjoyed the read and the thought-provoking topic of assisted suicide and suicide in general. I'm also fascinated by books about hospitals and medicine, so all of the asides about Millard's work life were much appreciated, whereas the ponderings about his old neighborhood and such were parts I ended up just skimming over. As for the ending......well, without spoilers, I was kind of rooting for things to end up the way they did.
All in all, this was a quick read that gave me a lot to think about regarding aging, grief, family and suicide. Recommended for those who are up for something different and appreciate New York and medical history, as well as a meandering look inside someone's thoughts.
Thanks to Gallery Books for the review copy of this title.
All in all, this was a quick read that gave me a lot to think about regarding aging, grief, family and suicide. Recommended for those who are up for something different and appreciate New York and medical history, as well as a meandering look inside someone's thoughts.
Thanks to Gallery Books for the review copy of this title.
notesonbookmarks's review against another edition
2.0
picked up this galley because it was billed as being perfect for fans of A Man Called Ove, but instead of finding another grumpy curmudgeon who finds purpose in life and becomes indispensable to those around him, I found a rich old man determined to kill himself on this last day, his birthday, reminiscing about his life lived in wealth and prosperity. We also get a glimpse of the hearts he's broken along the way, his dysfunctional son, and his aging girlfriend who also plan to off herself today after a long, brutal illness. I just didn't find the redeeming, heartwarming story I was expecting here. it was more like a cynical parody of a book I could have otherwise enjoyed. sad to say it.
still, grateful to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
still, grateful to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
shellysbookcorner's review against another edition
4.0
This book was very interesting to say the least! I was in a horrible book funk and it was able to snap me out and hold my attention as I read. This is the first time I’ve read anything by this author and it was a decent read. I liked the premise of the story but at certain times while reading I felt the plot was scattered over the place. There were a lot of side stories mentioned in this book with no resolution. Plus the ending in my opinion was abrupt. A small part of me hoped for a different outcome but I’m not surprised with what happened. My issue with the ending is how is just ends. No aftermath. Nothing. So that was a little disappointing for me but overall I did enjoy the story by this author.
3.5 Stars
*Review copy received from NetGalley*
For more reviews check me out at: http://www.shellysbookcorner.com
3.5 Stars
*Review copy received from NetGalley*
For more reviews check me out at: http://www.shellysbookcorner.com
nerdyrev's review against another edition
3.0
Hmmm. I am torn about this book. The reason why I am torn is I think I am becoming burnt out with the whole older person who cracks wise yet is endearing in his/her crankiness genre that has sprung up since Man Called Ove became a best seller. I have read 5 books like this one in the last year, so it may be a case of its me and not you.
What I did enjoy is the focus on regret in the midst of death. Salter wants to die simply because he has seen what old age does to a person and he does not want to go through that, but it means leaving behind a world of regret and a loss of loved ones. It also means he gets out of a job where he dislikes his co-workers, so there is a conflict. I did enjoy that approach to the genre, but for some reason it just didn't stick with me. I do not think that is the author's fault at all, I just think it is entering a world where these types of books have hit their peak. Again, I think it is more me and I apologize for that.
*I received this from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
What I did enjoy is the focus on regret in the midst of death. Salter wants to die simply because he has seen what old age does to a person and he does not want to go through that, but it means leaving behind a world of regret and a loss of loved ones. It also means he gets out of a job where he dislikes his co-workers, so there is a conflict. I did enjoy that approach to the genre, but for some reason it just didn't stick with me. I do not think that is the author's fault at all, I just think it is entering a world where these types of books have hit their peak. Again, I think it is more me and I apologize for that.
*I received this from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
pamiverson's review
3.0
Another grumpy old man story. This time it’s a widowe psychiatrist living in New York City who has agreed to help a woman die before he kills himself. Enjoyable, raising some interesting issues, but not that memorable.
ginabooks2021's review against another edition
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5