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There are currently 48 member reviews
for The Big Finish
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Ann B. (Kernville, CA)
The Big Finish deserves big kudos
Brooke Fossey had me at 9am Sit and Be Fit. I swear I've seen those exact activities on the board at my aunt's assisted living facility. I love that the novel is broken into bulletin board calendar days as well as numbered chapters. Time and its rate and manner of passing is a key thread in this novel, as it should be. Though Duffy is 88, his mind and internal dialog zip the narrative along. Stakes are high in the Centennial assisted living home, after all. I recommend this to readers who like a funny and character-driven story that demonstrates how its never too late to be the person you mean to be.
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Mark S. (Blauvelt, NY)
The Big Finish Lives Up to Its Title
For a first work, Fossey has a knack for creating real characters that force readers to both accept them as real and root for them throughout the story. I enjoyed the relationships, the conflicts, and the way that Fossey created such a unique storyline in such an unexpected setting. I was also a big fan of the opportunity for redemption that Fossey created for more than just one of the principal characters. Probably the best indicator of how much I enjoyed this book was that I read it in less than 24 hours. As a high school teacher, I would definitely recommend it to book clubs and plan on passing it along to the teachers who run one in our English department.
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Jan M. (Broken Arrow, OK)
Ending Well
As a fellow "Golden Ager" I could relate to the characters in this book and their thought processes. Just because we're old, doesn't mean we can't experience deep feelings of friendship, love, loss and everything in between. Carl and Duffy were good friends living a somewhat predictable life in a retirement home. Along came Carl's granddaughter, Josie, and all of a sudden their world became much more interesting. The next week was filled with many experiences and emotions as these two old friends broke all the rules to give Josie some protection and a chance to know her grandfather. The writer did a terrific job of developing her story and helping the reader to know her characters. Although the story was fiction, the characters were very real and perhaps resembled many of our friends. I really enjoyed the book and will be recommending it to my book club friends.
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Sandi W. (East Moline, IL)
Laugh out loud funny...
What a funny, funny book. Has been some time since I have laughed out loud at a book. But this one did it.
A local nursing home, an old curmudgeon and his roommates granddaughter. These make for a cute, funny and heartfelt story. As Duffy and Josie come to an understanding, Duffy's room mate Carl and the rest of the group from the nursing home rally around to see to it that Josie has the best of care.
Easy reading, good character development and a heartfelt story plot, with a lot of witticism from the lovable curmudgeon, Duffy. Light, entertaining, enjoyable book. Worth the read.
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Windell H. (Rock Hill, SC)
"The Big Finish" Review
Wow! What a great read. Who knew that assisted living could produce some real life drama. Encouraging for me being 71. Duffy has been through the 12 steps and is ready to tackle life on life's terms. All the people around Josie have a common goal. This book brings out how adversity can lead to good things. Great story because of well developed characters. 5 Stars. I read this in 2 sittings!
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Henry W. (Lake Barrington, IL)
Mayhem in the Institution
The Big Finish is a story about a week in the lives of inhabitants of an assisted facility. In the beginning you quickly become attached to the characters. Beneath their surface persona are deeply hidden feelings which become apparent as the story unfolds. An unimaginable event occurs engulfing the occupants of the institution in totally unpredictable ways. Mayhem reigns. While there is a great deal of humor, the storyline delves into loyalty, love, guilt, shame, addiction and recovery. The response of the characters to these drivers forces one to think about ones own experience with these same forces. You must suspend reality as the book races to its conclusion. All in all the book is a very satisfying read providing great insight into friendship, loyalty, love and persistence. Author style is very readable and enjoyable. As usual I found my self questioning what occurred in the author's life to generate this story. Impossible to put down.
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Arden A. (Longboat Key, FL)
Wonderful first novel!
My husband is 90. Fortunately, he is nowhere near nursing home bound, but I can definitely relate to the curmudgeon angle of this novel. In addition, how on earth the young author of this book can nail the situations and insights, not to mention the dialog of the aged and somewhat infirm characters in the story, as well as the staff of the nursing home, is amazing to me. The situations within the nursing home all ring true, with no over exaggerations, at least in my view. Love the puppy visits, music nights with Glenn Miller, and the fear of being booted into the nursing home from hell if they rile up the owner or reach a greater degree of infirmity.
This was an excellent book, very well written with well-defined characters and full of meaningful details, so many details that add to the deliciousness of the novel. Josie is the youth of the story, as well as the catalyst for the back story. Her grandfather and nursing home resident Carl, and his roommate Duffy work together to help Josie overcome her alcohol and men problems, all with a sense of humor which makes it a feel-good story. I highly recommend this beautifully written first novel.
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