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Terminal House
WOULD YOU BE AFRAID?
Imagine a malign force dismantling your mind by insidious degrees, stripping away a lifetime of knowledge, cherished memories, and human connections. Now imagine being intimately aware of the process, but helpless to arrest it. Would you be afraid?
For retired physician Ben Hunter, that malign force is Alzheimer’s disease—and he is terrified.
Now a resident in a major geriatric center, Ben straddles an ever-widening gulf between a muddled present and an idealized past, never quite certain which will support his weight. Against this backdrop, he meets Roxanne Austen, an 18-year-old student who both enriches his life and accelerates his descent into bewilderment.
With equal measures of frankness and humor, Terminal House illuminates the many challenges of aging, including dementia, death and dying, voluntary euthanasia, and romantic love.
Here's a sample of what advance readers are saying about Terminal
"As a retired editor who doesn't watch television I probably read 300 novels a year (about one a day).
Unequivocally, Terminal House is the best of the year, actually the best for a long while. How someone who is not that old could capture the feelings, desires, memories and fears of an older person is astounding. He emotionally touched the true feelings of both elderly people and the younger persons around them. No one will be able to put this book down once they start reading.
Imagine a malign force dismantling your mind by insidious degrees, stripping away a lifetime of knowledge, cherished memories, and human connections. Now imagine being intimately aware of the process, but helpless to arrest it. Would you be afraid?
For retired physician Ben Hunter, that malign force is Alzheimer’s disease—and he is terrified.
Now a resident in a major geriatric center, Ben straddles an ever-widening gulf between a muddled present and an idealized past, never quite certain which will support his weight. Against this backdrop, he meets Roxanne Austen, an 18-year-old student who both enriches his life and accelerates his descent into bewilderment.
With equal measures of frankness and humor, Terminal House illuminates the many challenges of aging, including dementia, death and dying, voluntary euthanasia, and romantic love.
Here's a sample of what advance readers are saying about Terminal
"As a retired editor who doesn't watch television I probably read 300 novels a year (about one a day).
Unequivocally, Terminal House is the best of the year, actually the best for a long while. How someone who is not that old could capture the feelings, desires, memories and fears of an older person is astounding. He emotionally touched the true feelings of both elderly people and the younger persons around them. No one will be able to put this book down once they start reading.
- GenresFiction
232 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 31, 2017
145 people are currently reading
130 people want to read
About the author
Sean Costello
18 books295 followersSean Costello is the author of nine novels and numerous screenplays. His novel Here After has been optioned to film by David Hackl, director of Saw V. Depending on the whims of his muse, Costello's novels alternate between two distinct genres: Horror and Thriller. His horror novels have drawn comparisons to the works of Stephen King, and his thrillers to those of Elmore Leonard. In the real world he's an anesthesiologist, but, if asked, he'd tell you he'd much rather be writing.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
February 7, 2017
Must be read by everyone.
This book is for every age group, if you're just starting to make plans for your future, you'll learn from Benji. If you were a caregiver now or was in the past, you'll understand more about this terrible disease called Alzheimer.
Four close friends living in the long-term assistant living center. Benji is brilliant scientist, drug he discovered are helping many people, but he cannot take it. His friendship with the young girl that works there will make you smile, but at the meantime you'll be sad. Terminal House was learning experience, especially for me at this age. Many light moments, you'll be laughing out loud, but make sure tissue box is near by. Will be coming back to read this book again and again. Five stars are made out of the five carats of diamonds.
‘All that is gold does not glitter, not all those who wander are lost; the old that is strong does not wither, deep roots are not reached by the frost.’
This book is for every age group, if you're just starting to make plans for your future, you'll learn from Benji. If you were a caregiver now or was in the past, you'll understand more about this terrible disease called Alzheimer.
Four close friends living in the long-term assistant living center. Benji is brilliant scientist, drug he discovered are helping many people, but he cannot take it. His friendship with the young girl that works there will make you smile, but at the meantime you'll be sad. Terminal House was learning experience, especially for me at this age. Many light moments, you'll be laughing out loud, but make sure tissue box is near by. Will be coming back to read this book again and again. Five stars are made out of the five carats of diamonds.
‘All that is gold does not glitter, not all those who wander are lost; the old that is strong does not wither, deep roots are not reached by the frost.’
February 5, 2017
I got this book to read before release. It took me a while to really get into story. I think I resisted reading because I am getting closer to this age group and the problems that are associated with aging. Ben and Roxanne are very engaging characters. Ben's friends can come off as childish and a little gross in their behavior, but also amusing. The story gives you a lot to think about regarding aging with some dignity. It was easy to relate to the fact that as your body ages your mind may still be young at heart. Not exactly a feel good story but a well written view on aging and euthanasia.
February 6, 2017
Wow!
Sean Costello is a fantastic writer. He writes so well, I'll read anything he publishes. Every character is authentic, story after story, from majors to minors. My favorite Costello novel is "Squall," even though "over the top" might be a fair accusation. Hey. I love Over the Top. (Sounds like a good name for a rock band.)
This novel. This...
The title is fair warning. People come to "Terminal House" to die. Why waste away in a nursing home when you can go with dignity and plan your death to the hour and day?
If you need a pleasant surprise of a plot twist -- "Hey, Grandpa is conscious, he just squeezed my hand, let's not euthanize him!", you need to read some other book.
December romance, like Gabriel Garcia's "Love in the Time of Cholera"--? Nope, not here.
What *is* here is a brutally honest, illuminating glimpse into the mind of a brilliant doctor losing his self as dementia takes over. I'm amazed at how well Costello gets into the Point of View of this man and seamlessly shows us the slide from sanity to not knowing what year it is or how old you are now or who that girl at your side really is.
The idea of old boys skipping out of the seniors' home to snort coke or smoke or eat brownies laced with marijuana - it's disconcerting, and could be hilarious, and most readers probably will laugh at it. I can see it now in movie trailers. Still. Childhood friends, reminiscing, reliving that golden moment of seeing Led Zeppelin live in concert when Robert Plant was still young, too -- for me, it's just sad. Physicist Niels Bohr says some things are so serious, they can only be joked about, and perhaps this is a prime example. Maybe I'm more like Wittgenstein, the math genius who said some things must be passed over in silence.
I love the writing, I love the characters, I hate the setting, I hate the premise, I hate the way we grow old and die, and most of all, I detest the final scene -- and yet, I cannot hate the novel. I wanted a positive note to emerge from the sad song of Ben's life.
Again, I'll read anything Sean Costello writes, because he writes so damn well, and talent like his is far too rare in this world of billions of indie books clamoring for a place in my Kindle.
I just hope the next story is less about irony and pity, more about, say, a magnificently vital hero--a Zorba the Greek -- who grows old, is widowed, marries a young woman, and writes from his deathbed, "Whatever I have done, I have no regrets... I've done heaps and heaps of things in my life, but I still did not do enough. Men like me ought to live a thousand years!"
Sean Costello writes with as much passion and poetry as Nikos Kazantzakis (1885-1957), but he writes from a different time and place, a 21st Century world that is more cynical and brutally real than I want to know. After "Terminal House," I downloaded some lame romance novels, knowing I'd get my happy ending, but so far, I've deleted every one of 'em after Chapter One. Looks like I'll have to tackle Dostoevsky instead. (My jazz musician son, at age 26, read all of Brothers Karamazov, and my clever offspring has all manner of incentives for me to slog through the excess verbiage too. Patience is my #1 obstacle.)
Happy Endings! Help! "Squall" can't be the only one Costello has up his literary sleeve.
Sean Costello is a fantastic writer. He writes so well, I'll read anything he publishes. Every character is authentic, story after story, from majors to minors. My favorite Costello novel is "Squall," even though "over the top" might be a fair accusation. Hey. I love Over the Top. (Sounds like a good name for a rock band.)
This novel. This...
The title is fair warning. People come to "Terminal House" to die. Why waste away in a nursing home when you can go with dignity and plan your death to the hour and day?
If you need a pleasant surprise of a plot twist -- "Hey, Grandpa is conscious, he just squeezed my hand, let's not euthanize him!", you need to read some other book.
December romance, like Gabriel Garcia's "Love in the Time of Cholera"--? Nope, not here.
What *is* here is a brutally honest, illuminating glimpse into the mind of a brilliant doctor losing his self as dementia takes over. I'm amazed at how well Costello gets into the Point of View of this man and seamlessly shows us the slide from sanity to not knowing what year it is or how old you are now or who that girl at your side really is.
The idea of old boys skipping out of the seniors' home to snort coke or smoke or eat brownies laced with marijuana - it's disconcerting, and could be hilarious, and most readers probably will laugh at it. I can see it now in movie trailers. Still. Childhood friends, reminiscing, reliving that golden moment of seeing Led Zeppelin live in concert when Robert Plant was still young, too -- for me, it's just sad. Physicist Niels Bohr says some things are so serious, they can only be joked about, and perhaps this is a prime example. Maybe I'm more like Wittgenstein, the math genius who said some things must be passed over in silence.
I love the writing, I love the characters, I hate the setting, I hate the premise, I hate the way we grow old and die, and most of all, I detest the final scene -- and yet, I cannot hate the novel. I wanted a positive note to emerge from the sad song of Ben's life.
Again, I'll read anything Sean Costello writes, because he writes so damn well, and talent like his is far too rare in this world of billions of indie books clamoring for a place in my Kindle.
I just hope the next story is less about irony and pity, more about, say, a magnificently vital hero--a Zorba the Greek -- who grows old, is widowed, marries a young woman, and writes from his deathbed, "Whatever I have done, I have no regrets... I've done heaps and heaps of things in my life, but I still did not do enough. Men like me ought to live a thousand years!"
Sean Costello writes with as much passion and poetry as Nikos Kazantzakis (1885-1957), but he writes from a different time and place, a 21st Century world that is more cynical and brutally real than I want to know. After "Terminal House," I downloaded some lame romance novels, knowing I'd get my happy ending, but so far, I've deleted every one of 'em after Chapter One. Looks like I'll have to tackle Dostoevsky instead. (My jazz musician son, at age 26, read all of Brothers Karamazov, and my clever offspring has all manner of incentives for me to slog through the excess verbiage too. Patience is my #1 obstacle.)
Happy Endings! Help! "Squall" can't be the only one Costello has up his literary sleeve.
February 2, 2017
I read this as an ARC, having met Sean in high school, as well as having done book covers for some of his previous releases. And then I forgot to post it / get back to him until now, due to life / news / etc.
This was bittersweet to read. Doctor Ben Hunter has worked in geriatric medicine, helped to develop an effective treatment for Alzheimer's. He is allergic to it however, on his developing Alzheimer's himself.
Set in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, Ben resides in an imagined assisted living community encompassing housing, entertainment, shopping, health care, and a euthanasia facility. Conceptually, the community is wonderful, as I have visited several assisted living facilities as well as nursing homes over the years, and often they feel isolated when residents lack the energy to take shuttle buses on excursions, or have progressed dementia or Alzheimer's and are not permitted to leave by themselves.
Elder care, especially compassionate and respectful elder care is a vitally important field, with an ever-aging population and extended life expectancy. Insight into living with Alzheimer's, even a fictional facsimile is useful for those who have not personally encountered the shifts in personality and temporal awareness a person can undergo.
This was bittersweet to read. Doctor Ben Hunter has worked in geriatric medicine, helped to develop an effective treatment for Alzheimer's. He is allergic to it however, on his developing Alzheimer's himself.
Set in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, Ben resides in an imagined assisted living community encompassing housing, entertainment, shopping, health care, and a euthanasia facility. Conceptually, the community is wonderful, as I have visited several assisted living facilities as well as nursing homes over the years, and often they feel isolated when residents lack the energy to take shuttle buses on excursions, or have progressed dementia or Alzheimer's and are not permitted to leave by themselves.
Elder care, especially compassionate and respectful elder care is a vitally important field, with an ever-aging population and extended life expectancy. Insight into living with Alzheimer's, even a fictional facsimile is useful for those who have not personally encountered the shifts in personality and temporal awareness a person can undergo.
February 9, 2017
A love story as terrifying as any Costello thriller.
After rejoicing in the delight of only recently discovering Sean Costello’s books, I have read and enjoyed all of them and happily signed up to be an advance reader of his work. 'Terminal House' arrived in my inbox 2 days before we were moving house, but even the crazy busy-ness and chaos of such a time didn't prevent me from devouring the book in a couple of sittings over 24 hours. Interestingly, the advance copy came with the following 'warning':
"My best guess is that it was one of my thrillers--Squall, Finders Keepers, Here After---that convinced you to subscribe [as an advance reader] in the first place. Unfortunately, Terminal House doesn't slot comfortably into that genre. There are no action sequences, crazed killers or supernatural entities in this effort. At its heart, it's a story about ordinary people. In this case, the elderly, and the many challenges and choices they may face in the not-too-distant future".
Sean's description of the new book is accurate except that there is nothing at all unfortunate about it not fitting into his usual genre and quite frankly, I found the plot of the book to be terrifyingly real. Readers who have enjoyed Costello's earlier works will still enjoy his outstanding ability to create and develop characters we love and empathise with, as well as his rare ability to skilfully manipulate language to capture the extremes of human emotions.
Terminal House takes us on a journey with Ben, a journey that is terrifying and beautiful, lonely yet filled with love and nostalgic while daring us to look to our own future. While we are able sink into the story and simply enjoy it, I found that I couldn't help but be drawn in to wrestling with my point-of-view on topics which are generally easier to avoid.
The triumph of the book is the reader's opportunity to truly experience Ben's struggle. Similarly, as Ben's friends attempt to navigate his decline in a caring and respectful way, I think readers who have had similar experiences (I have not) will make strong connections with the situations and choices made by the other characters. Costello manages in a particularly sensitive and skilful way, the kinds of challenges which must be all too real for friends and family of people with Alzheimer's Disease. I loved this book and I am certain others will, too.
After rejoicing in the delight of only recently discovering Sean Costello’s books, I have read and enjoyed all of them and happily signed up to be an advance reader of his work. 'Terminal House' arrived in my inbox 2 days before we were moving house, but even the crazy busy-ness and chaos of such a time didn't prevent me from devouring the book in a couple of sittings over 24 hours. Interestingly, the advance copy came with the following 'warning':
"My best guess is that it was one of my thrillers--Squall, Finders Keepers, Here After---that convinced you to subscribe [as an advance reader] in the first place. Unfortunately, Terminal House doesn't slot comfortably into that genre. There are no action sequences, crazed killers or supernatural entities in this effort. At its heart, it's a story about ordinary people. In this case, the elderly, and the many challenges and choices they may face in the not-too-distant future".
Sean's description of the new book is accurate except that there is nothing at all unfortunate about it not fitting into his usual genre and quite frankly, I found the plot of the book to be terrifyingly real. Readers who have enjoyed Costello's earlier works will still enjoy his outstanding ability to create and develop characters we love and empathise with, as well as his rare ability to skilfully manipulate language to capture the extremes of human emotions.
Terminal House takes us on a journey with Ben, a journey that is terrifying and beautiful, lonely yet filled with love and nostalgic while daring us to look to our own future. While we are able sink into the story and simply enjoy it, I found that I couldn't help but be drawn in to wrestling with my point-of-view on topics which are generally easier to avoid.
The triumph of the book is the reader's opportunity to truly experience Ben's struggle. Similarly, as Ben's friends attempt to navigate his decline in a caring and respectful way, I think readers who have had similar experiences (I have not) will make strong connections with the situations and choices made by the other characters. Costello manages in a particularly sensitive and skilful way, the kinds of challenges which must be all too real for friends and family of people with Alzheimer's Disease. I loved this book and I am certain others will, too.
September 27, 2018
This book is beautifully written,hilarious in places and a subject close to my heart.having been through this terrible disease with my own father,his sister and his second wife i can relate to this story.I worry about how Alzheimer's could affect me as I am struggling with short term memory loss myself.the story itself is a great read and I thank you for it.
December 10, 2018
Reflecting
What a lovely story, this I believe is the first book I have read by this author, but will not be the last. This story is an incredible reflection on loves lost, old friends, new friends. It was one that brought laughter as well as sadness. In many cases reflecting on the past or even stealing a glance into the future can bring an incredible peace, hoping that those things we missed on, people we lost, problems we never solved became a brighter picture, intergrading our past with a hopeful future. Being someone who worked with many suffering from Alzheimer’s as devastating it is to see, the one thing each one experienced is reflecting or falling into moments that brought much joy, bringing a response from those on the outside of sadness seeing a painful journey ahead, while within the person who have lived many type of experiences is just wrapped in their past. Many times in a joy that when realized by the rest of us may be the blessing instead of experiencing the results we witness. The actions and words are devastating. But maybe just maybe inside the one we love and care for are in a world of pleasure being protected from whatever portrays itself coming from the mind to the mouth. My father was an angry man, that brought much abuse of many kinds onto those he claimed to love. He was an incredible man, loved by many on the outside. Was it him being manipulative or really the man he truly was at some point? When he started with dementia, it was in that time we became the true family. He was kind, loving and supportive in his words. We in pieces started to see what made him the way he was to his family, we shared tears with him, something we never did before. We saw a light in his eyes that never was there before. Sure there were times of anger and Vulgarity but we saw that, that to was not truly for us. We hated The disease, but we loved him. We handled the last knowing that his final time was spent mostly with and in the times that made him the happiest. I understand not everyone has this experience, and it is the terrible disease for loved ones to witness. Sorry for talking everybody Zeise off.
What a lovely story, this I believe is the first book I have read by this author, but will not be the last. This story is an incredible reflection on loves lost, old friends, new friends. It was one that brought laughter as well as sadness. In many cases reflecting on the past or even stealing a glance into the future can bring an incredible peace, hoping that those things we missed on, people we lost, problems we never solved became a brighter picture, intergrading our past with a hopeful future. Being someone who worked with many suffering from Alzheimer’s as devastating it is to see, the one thing each one experienced is reflecting or falling into moments that brought much joy, bringing a response from those on the outside of sadness seeing a painful journey ahead, while within the person who have lived many type of experiences is just wrapped in their past. Many times in a joy that when realized by the rest of us may be the blessing instead of experiencing the results we witness. The actions and words are devastating. But maybe just maybe inside the one we love and care for are in a world of pleasure being protected from whatever portrays itself coming from the mind to the mouth. My father was an angry man, that brought much abuse of many kinds onto those he claimed to love. He was an incredible man, loved by many on the outside. Was it him being manipulative or really the man he truly was at some point? When he started with dementia, it was in that time we became the true family. He was kind, loving and supportive in his words. We in pieces started to see what made him the way he was to his family, we shared tears with him, something we never did before. We saw a light in his eyes that never was there before. Sure there were times of anger and Vulgarity but we saw that, that to was not truly for us. We hated The disease, but we loved him. We handled the last knowing that his final time was spent mostly with and in the times that made him the happiest. I understand not everyone has this experience, and it is the terrible disease for loved ones to witness. Sorry for talking everybody Zeise off.
June 25, 2018
4.5 stars
February 11, 2017
Mr. Costello, you were too modest to give your readers that warning before buying the book. Yes, indeed, your thriller and horror fans might not take a liking to this book that is anything but...A book about getting old is really far off the usual scripts you write, but then again, why not? Being a fan of anything ficton, and having read most of your books, I did not pay too much attention to said warning, and I am glad I went ahead and bought the book just the same.
With fourteen chapters, set in 2028, this short book referenced a number of fads in the 70's, 80's and 90s. Oh, how I was able to relate, but it also made me feel ancient! Hahaha! Anyway, not that it matters...
The Geriatric Center is a place for senior people in various conditions: independent ones are housed in condominiums; there's a hospital for the ill; a euthanasia center... The central character, Dr. Ben Hunter was one of the founders. At 79, his lucid moments are starting to come and go. Alzheimer's is indeed a fearful condition, even for a geriatrics specialist like Dr. Hunter. Support from family and friends is primarily what the patient needs, as with any other ailment, but more so for dementia.
The writing was very much to the author's style of lightness while tackling a serious subject; I like that. There is just enough balance for the reader to absorb the meaning and implications but not drown in a very depressing state.
For people living with someone teetering on the edge of dementia or those already in another world in their minds; for the almost-retirees, who've had a family history of the disease, or even those who don't...this book is for all of us, for our understanding, and for our our acceptance.
With fourteen chapters, set in 2028, this short book referenced a number of fads in the 70's, 80's and 90s. Oh, how I was able to relate, but it also made me feel ancient! Hahaha! Anyway, not that it matters...
The Geriatric Center is a place for senior people in various conditions: independent ones are housed in condominiums; there's a hospital for the ill; a euthanasia center... The central character, Dr. Ben Hunter was one of the founders. At 79, his lucid moments are starting to come and go. Alzheimer's is indeed a fearful condition, even for a geriatrics specialist like Dr. Hunter. Support from family and friends is primarily what the patient needs, as with any other ailment, but more so for dementia.
The writing was very much to the author's style of lightness while tackling a serious subject; I like that. There is just enough balance for the reader to absorb the meaning and implications but not drown in a very depressing state.
For people living with someone teetering on the edge of dementia or those already in another world in their minds; for the almost-retirees, who've had a family history of the disease, or even those who don't...this book is for all of us, for our understanding, and for our our acceptance.
Want to read
July 27, 2018FREE GIFT FROM SEAN COSTELLO
September 18, 2018
Could have been great
The story was well written and could have been great if not for the profanity and liberal theme. Uthanasia is something I really could never condone. The story had to have a lesbians, potheaded old men, kinky sexual situations. I get it. Real life. Not my cup of tea though.
The story was well written and could have been great if not for the profanity and liberal theme. Uthanasia is something I really could never condone. The story had to have a lesbians, potheaded old men, kinky sexual situations. I get it. Real life. Not my cup of tea though.
August 30, 2017
A beautiful and sad story
I loved the story. I have been around Alzheimer's in family. It stirred up past memories and maybe what the future will be like for me. This really was different from Mr. Costello other books but I enjoyed just as much.
I loved the story. I have been around Alzheimer's in family. It stirred up past memories and maybe what the future will be like for me. This really was different from Mr. Costello other books but I enjoyed just as much.
July 26, 2018
The premise sounded interesting, and I enjoyed the first few chapters. However it soon became an account of several old men’s drug habits. There were a few plot “twists“ that were totally predictable. All in all, a disappointing read.
January 24, 2018
A very touching book.
I laughed my butt off and cried my eyes out. Sometimes I laughed so hard I cried. It's a book that I'm glad I read and recommend it to others.
I laughed my butt off and cried my eyes out. Sometimes I laughed so hard I cried. It's a book that I'm glad I read and recommend it to others.
July 29, 2018
Life Happens
What a beautiful story of friendship, loyalty and love that never dies. We should all be so lucky to have people in our lives like the characters in this story.
What a beautiful story of friendship, loyalty and love that never dies. We should all be so lucky to have people in our lives like the characters in this story.
August 23, 2018
Sorry, but I just couldn't get past the constant language and dirty old man junk. Not my thing. No thanks. The story idea sounded great though.
October 14, 2018
Great
Great read made me think of my first love and how I think of him a lot but some of God's greatest gifts are unanswered prayers
Great read made me think of my first love and how I think of him a lot but some of God's greatest gifts are unanswered prayers
October 17, 2018
Touching story on true to life subject
Great perspective on aging, thoughtful, provocative and at times downright funny. Insight into a disease no one is immune to!
Great perspective on aging, thoughtful, provocative and at times downright funny. Insight into a disease no one is immune to!
January 1, 2019
Good ending
Kept me hoping thru all the drama and laughter. Life throws many curves balls and too few home runs. Thanks for new perspective on life
Kept me hoping thru all the drama and laughter. Life throws many curves balls and too few home runs. Thanks for new perspective on life
January 6, 2019
Really enjoyed it
It took a little bit to get into this story but once I did I couldn't put it down. So many different emotions throughout the book. I highly recommend it.
It took a little bit to get into this story but once I did I couldn't put it down. So many different emotions throughout the book. I highly recommend it.
November 8, 2019
Recommend
Mr Costello created characters so clearly you could see them and though not fast paced you can’t wait to find out where life is taking these characters.
Mr Costello created characters so clearly you could see them and though not fast paced you can’t wait to find out where life is taking these characters.
May 8, 2022
Another first-rate story from Sean Costello. I found it very interesting to learn about people who are afflicted with Alzheimer's disease while also telling a very good story.
August 27, 2018
Very inspiring book
I have a better understanding of fomenting after reading this book. It was a very good idea to have a place for people to go to and decide when their life should end.
I have a better understanding of fomenting after reading this book. It was a very good idea to have a place for people to go to and decide when their life should end.
February 9, 2017
One might argue that this novel is a bit of a departure from Costello's regular fare of non-stop horror and thriller action.
But I would argue that this novel is, indeed a horror novel.
It's just a different type of horror novel. A different type of darkness, a different type of fear.
Costello paints the situation of the slow unraveling of his main character's mind in a poignant and heart-felt fashion that is touching, disturbing and realistic in the way a mind fading into dementia can be so much like the sun continuously and seemingly randomly disappearing behind clouds only to peek out again in full glory.
Fortunately there are many moments of levity and mad-cap hilarious adventures of a group of life-long friends coming together as old men and trying to recapture a little of their, as Bruce Springsteen sang about "Glory Days."
And, though there is no intense action to propel the plot forward, the author adeptly keeps the reader anxiously turning pages out of sheer compassion for the characters he has created who are fully three-dimensional and all too real.
This novel, this story and these characters will live with you long after you put the book down.
But I would argue that this novel is, indeed a horror novel.
It's just a different type of horror novel. A different type of darkness, a different type of fear.
Costello paints the situation of the slow unraveling of his main character's mind in a poignant and heart-felt fashion that is touching, disturbing and realistic in the way a mind fading into dementia can be so much like the sun continuously and seemingly randomly disappearing behind clouds only to peek out again in full glory.
Fortunately there are many moments of levity and mad-cap hilarious adventures of a group of life-long friends coming together as old men and trying to recapture a little of their, as Bruce Springsteen sang about "Glory Days."
And, though there is no intense action to propel the plot forward, the author adeptly keeps the reader anxiously turning pages out of sheer compassion for the characters he has created who are fully three-dimensional and all too real.
This novel, this story and these characters will live with you long after you put the book down.
March 6, 2017
This is a different book from Sean Costello, and he makes that known in both the description and introduction that you can read for free before purchasing the book. I knew that going in and I also knew that I loved Cartoonist, and Eden's Eyes, and have plans on reading all of his work eventually. Though, this was different. Nevertheless, Costello proves that he is not a niche genre writer, as are many of the genre writers I read. Just because one chooses a certain genre to write in does not mean they are not talented writers, as is the case with Costello.
Since I have gotten older I began thinking of my own mortality and my mind and I am afraid, as I am sure we all are, of losing my memories and the things about myself that make me who I am. This book helps bring some of these elements into focus and shines a light on them and examines a part of life that is truly inevitable and how we all deal with it; a truly masterful story about subjects all too real.
Since I have gotten older I began thinking of my own mortality and my mind and I am afraid, as I am sure we all are, of losing my memories and the things about myself that make me who I am. This book helps bring some of these elements into focus and shines a light on them and examines a part of life that is truly inevitable and how we all deal with it; a truly masterful story about subjects all too real.
February 8, 2017
Grow Old Disgracefully.
An eye-opener and must read for everyone over twenty. A funny and enlightening future that could happen to all of us. I hope to live Alzheimer free long enough to enjoy the film. Well written Sean, keep up the good work.
An eye-opener and must read for everyone over twenty. A funny and enlightening future that could happen to all of us. I hope to live Alzheimer free long enough to enjoy the film. Well written Sean, keep up the good work.
March 3, 2017
Scary, in a different way.
The specter of Alzheimer's is ever present in Dr. Costello's novel set in a retirement village (including a handy euthanasia center) in the near future. At times moving, funny and thought provoking, Ben's struggle with the disease is shared in such a way that we enter into his world and feel his confusion, loss of time, and fear. The irony of Ben's condition (he's the physician who's discovered an effective treatment, almost a cure, for the disease --- that he can't take) is O'Henry-esque. Other characters include quirky elderly folks, a saintly teenager, an obese hooker, an unrequited love interest and a nefarious bean counter. The only criticism I have is that the ending came much too quickly. But then, that is true of all good stories, isn't it?
The specter of Alzheimer's is ever present in Dr. Costello's novel set in a retirement village (including a handy euthanasia center) in the near future. At times moving, funny and thought provoking, Ben's struggle with the disease is shared in such a way that we enter into his world and feel his confusion, loss of time, and fear. The irony of Ben's condition (he's the physician who's discovered an effective treatment, almost a cure, for the disease --- that he can't take) is O'Henry-esque. Other characters include quirky elderly folks, a saintly teenager, an obese hooker, an unrequited love interest and a nefarious bean counter. The only criticism I have is that the ending came much too quickly. But then, that is true of all good stories, isn't it?
February 13, 2017
I'm a new fan of Sean Costello's books and I'm a member of his fan club. His thrillers are taut and this diversion in his writing was just a satisfying. The characters were well developed and the writing was very witty and sharp. I found myself grinning at the dialogue many times throughout the book. It was a bittersweet experience being placed in the main character's brilliant mind suffering with Altzheimers. The ending was a bit abrupt but, it was very fitting considering the subject matter. Kudos to Costello for success with this foray into a different type of book. I absolutely adored it and recommend it highly.
December 24, 2017
Mr. Costello is brilliant!!! I was unsure if I would make it through the first chapter...😌 Suffice it to say, I read this stupendous story in two sittings...
I have read four of Costello's books and this offering cements him firmly in the top shelf of my library, right next to Grisham and Connelly. The master storyteller, Mr. Costello, can take any and all ideas and storylines, and weave me an inescapable web of departure... He takes me to that place where we all love to go - far, far away - but wait... I am still sitting here in my chair... Wait, I have to pee... I sure do love this Kindle... Hope I don't bump into the wall on my way!!!
I have read four of Costello's books and this offering cements him firmly in the top shelf of my library, right next to Grisham and Connelly. The master storyteller, Mr. Costello, can take any and all ideas and storylines, and weave me an inescapable web of departure... He takes me to that place where we all love to go - far, far away - but wait... I am still sitting here in my chair... Wait, I have to pee... I sure do love this Kindle... Hope I don't bump into the wall on my way!!!
February 5, 2017
My mother is almost 93,which is the reason I read this book. I honestly expected it to be depressing, but it wasn't. The characters were engaging and the story kept me interested throughout. I thoroughly enjoyed Ben and his friends. The love they had for each other was remarkable, and their banter and high jinks were funny.
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