Book Review | THE BIG FINISH by Brooke Fossey

  

The Big Finish by Brooke Fossey
Publication: April 14, 2020
Publisher: Berkley
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Rating: ★★★★★

Meet Duffy, an old curmudgeon who lives in an assisted living home.

Meet Josie, a desperate young woman who climbs through his window.

Together, they’re going to learn it’s never too late—or too early—to change your ways.

The book opens to a day's schedule. For many, that schedule would be a very dull itinerary but for the residents of Centennial, that makes their daily existence.

We counted on stuff like this to keep us afloat,
and none of us took it for granted.

Carl and Duffy are roommates who seemed content living the rest of their monotonous life at Centennial,  an assisted home for seniors. Then, Josie appeared and tipped the balance off that monotony. I have to admit, I like Duffy from the first go. He is gruff and way too perceptive for his own good. And I love how this heartwarming community walks the extra mile to help each other. Often with the aid of a walker or a wheelchair, but they do get there.

I really appreciate how Ms. Fossey approached the heavy topics of alcoholism, abandonment, and the inevitable loneliness of old age with humor and lightheartedness. It is absolutely unique to find these characters bursting with excitement and interactions despite their advancing age and limitations. Moreover, here they are giving us a witty and profound lesson on family, community, and second chances.

THE BIG FINISH is a wonderful debut and I highly recommend it.

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About the Author:

Brooke Fossey was once an aerospace engineer with a secret clearance before she traded it all in for motherhood and writing. She’s a past president and an honorary lifetime member of DFW Writers’ Workshop. Her work can be found in numerous publications, including Ruminate Magazine and SmokeLong Quarterly. Her debut novel, THE BIG FINISH is forthcoming in 2020 from Penguin/Berkley (US), and Piper/Pendo (DE). When she’s not writing, you can find her in Dallas, Texas with her husband, four kids, and their dog Rufus. She still occasionally does math.

*Thanks to Berkley and Edelweiss for the advance review copy in exchange for this unbiased review.
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