The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey

"Perhaps they are not stars, but rather openings in Heaven where the love of our lost ones pours through and shines down upon us to let us know they are happy." —Inspired by an Eskimo Legend

Walter Mosley's The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey has replaced A Prayer for Owen Meany as my all-time favorite book. And I couldn't have read it at a more appropriate time. Its message was comforting to me during a time when I needed comfort.

According to Bookmarks Magazine, "Critics described The Last Days of Ptlomey Grey as a remarkable blend of literary fiction, mystery, and fantasy. Most were moved by the story of a man slowly losing himself to dementia and his friendship with the compassionate and pragmatic Robyn . . . And though Mosley's latest is a pretty big departure from his private detective series featuring Easy Rawlins, the novel stands on its own as an original tale of aging, family, love, and loss."

I fell in love with the characters because of their authenticity, and I was touched by the fortitude of the 91-year-old Ptolemy as he reflects on his substantial life lessons, especially those learned in childhood from his mentor, Coy McCann.

Ptolemy wondered how he could have lived for so long but still the most important moments of his life were back when he was a child with Coy McCann walking at his side. How could the most important moments of his life be Coy’s last dance on fire and Maude’s death in flames? Hadn’t he lived through poverty, war, old age? Didn’t any of that mean anything?

For me, the poignant story inspired patience and tolerance for the experiences my own father was going through. Reading about Ptolemy's perspective gave me strength, as if I was receiving solace from a dear and trusted friend.

There are times in your life when things line up and Fate takes a hand in your future,” Ptolemy remembered Coydog saying. “When that happens, you got to move quick and take advantage of the sitchiation or you’ll never know what might have been.”

“How do I know when it’s time to move quick?” L’il Pea asked.

“When somethin’ big happens and then somethin’ else come up.”