A special thank you to Edelweiss and Harper for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.You may be familiar with Quick because of the success of The Silver Linings Playbook—isn't that such a great title? I had not read anything of his and happily requested this book because The Silver Linings Playbook was such a fantastic movie, not just because of Bradley Cooper, but because of the story.
David Granger is a sixty-eight-year-old Vietnam vet that has crashed his BMW. Upon further testing, it is revealed that he has a brain tumour that he attributes to his exposure to Agent Orange. In the twilight from surgery, David repeats the name "Clayton Fire Bear" over and over. Fire Bear a Native American soldier that Granger had the task of disciplining during the war, and his nemeses. Granger stole something from him and decides that in order to make peace with his life, he must return it. In search of closure, he embarks on a journey of self-discovery; this may save his sanity and help him deal with the loss of his beloved wife.
He is an incredibly multi-faceted character that is hanging on to his not so politically correct ideals in a changing world. There is so much he doesn't understand, yet he ploughs forward, and stumbles his way through awkward social situations and modern American life with the help of his loved ones. At times his behaviour is cringe-worthy, but under the surface is a kind, patriotic, honourable, and compassionate man.
I loved the book and by the end I absolutely adored David, even with his many flaws. His outspokenness was so comedic yet strangely endearing. Pick this up, you'll be so glad you did!
MATTHEW QUICK is the New York Times bestselling author of several novels, including The Silver Linings Playbook, which was made into an Oscar-winning film, and The Good Luck of Right Now.
Quick lives with his wife, the novelist-pianist Alicia Bessette, on North Carolina's Outer Banks.
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