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Bill Warrington’s Last Chance Audiobook
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(3.06) - 265 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
This insightful novel follows Bill Warrington, an elderly Korean War veteran and widower, on his quest to reconcile with his three grown children before he succumbs to Alzheimer’s. When his fifteen-year-old granddaughter, April, runs away from home, Bill obliges her wish to drive from Ohio to San Francisco, where she hopes to become a rock singer. As the unlikely pair head west, he leaves clues intended to force April’s mother and uncles to overcome their grievances and mutual distrust and work together to find them. A rich multigenerational saga, Bill Warrington’s Last Chance soars with humor, compassion, and unflinching insight into the pain and joy of all family life, while the promise of a new generation shines bright against the ravages of aging in a man who does not go gently…anywhere.
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"I really enjoyed this story. It was not profound or earth-shattering, but in spite of the cantankerous or annoying personalities of some of the characters, it was endearing and actually heart-warming. It's the story of a grandfather/granddaughter relationship. It is also the story of a father who wanted to do a better job but didn't, and it tells how he comes together with his grown kids in the end. Both pieces of the story were compelling, but I enjoyed the granddaughter part the most. I listened to this book on my ipod, very enjoyable read."
— Judy (4 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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“Perhaps one of the best things you can say about a novel is that the story lingers after you finish it. I have gone on thinking about this one without trying.”
— Sue Monk Kidd, New York Times bestselling author -
“My sympathies were engaged throughout and I was invested in the outcome. As far as I’m concerned, this is what reading is about and what a good book is supposed to do.”
— Sue Grafton -
“James King’s debut novel is a mature, nuanced, and insightful story; a family drama that will resonate with so many readers.”
— Tim McCall, Penguin’s vice president of online sales and marketing -
“Everything about this novel is sharp—the angular prose, the twisty plot, the keenly etched details of place and person, the barbs characters fling at one another. Yet the reader comes out the back of this book with his eyes tearing up and his mind opened to the possibility that resentment, regret, and anger can yield to understanding and hope, even in the most dysfunctional families.”
— Eamon Dolan, vice president and editor-in-chief, The Penguin Press -
“[A] nicely tuned road trip novel from 2009 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award–winner King…The spirited interplay between the gruff but wounded Bill and the perhaps too precocious April provides the most sensitive scenes in this enjoyable first novel.”
— Publishers Weekly -
“Joe Barrett narrates with a gravelly tone that’s a perfect match for the gruff Bill’s voice and thoughts. With only a small shift, Barrett gives April a cynical teen voice. Along the way, Bill’s disintegrating mental state and April’s increasing concern for him are brought to life in Barrett’s voice. The dysfunctional characters feel familiar at times, but Barrett and King keep the interest going in this family drama.”
— AudioFile -
“Part road odyssey, part coming-of-age tale, King’s novel achieves the exact right balance of humor, redemption, and reconciliation.”
— Booklist -
“Bill Warrington’s Last Chance turns out to be quite a ride for all the characters involved—and it proves that taking a chance may not turn out exactly as you had planned, but it’s darn worth a try.”
— BookPage
Awards
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Winner of the 2009 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award
Bill Warrington’s Last Chance Listener Reviews
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" A unique story line--not the kind you can't put down, but a slower read that really makes you think. The author did an excellent job, I think, of portraying the teenage girl's thoughts and emotions. The grandfather's oscillation between present and past realities was well done. I found myself having moments, away from reading, imagining what it must be like to experience alzheimers, and occasionally wondering if I am experiencing it myself from time to time. "
— Cheryl, 2/4/2014 -
" I loved this book. I couldn't put it down. "
— Solkon, 1/30/2014 -
" I adored this book. I would put it in my top 3! The story and the characters felt so real to me! The dynamic between the siblings and how the tragic loss of their mother affected them rang true. For those who have ever suffered the loss of an immediate family member as a child, you may be better able to relate to this story. "
— Kelly, 1/16/2014 -
" Well-written story about a broken family being pieced back together. I liked how the author was able to write from so many points of view: old man, teen-aged girl, and middle aged men and women. Family drama plus road trip; what more could you ask for? "
— Carrie, 1/3/2014 -
" I didn't care for it at all. It was a very boring read with shallow characters. I feel like reading it was time wasted. "
— Jim, 12/16/2013 -
" wass a cute story.. makes you think about all the older folks and if and when was the last time you hugged your grandparents "
— Luna, 12/8/2013 -
" I gave 3 stars because I like the message and basic storyline. However, I almost gave only 2 stars because I think there were a lot of meaningless parts in the book. It dragged on and on for me. I am glad I pushed myself to finish, though. "
— Beth, 12/7/2013 -
" An entertaining read about a dysfunctional family. Several flawed but very likeable characters. "
— Sally, 3/7/2013 -
" Good story about a girl and her grandfather. Author does a good job of describing dementia through the mind of the victim; what things might seem like to him. "
— Susan, 12/15/2011 -
" James King has a definite talent for capturing the stream of consciousness of a wide range of characters, especially a wide range of ages, from 16 to 80. This is a unique disfunctional family story told with humor and pathos. "
— Linda, 8/4/2011 -
" While this was a good depiction of someone with Alzheimer's, like the disease, it has too many gaps. We learn about the characters in bits and pieces and never get the whole story. Threads are left unfinished and the ending is abrupt. "
— Lisa, 7/21/2011 -
" I just started it. I'm reading it for a book discussion group so I have a month to read it. The premise looks really good. "
— Lois, 3/17/2011 -
" well written and makes you think of how your actions affect other people, regardless of your intentions. really enjoyed this book. "
— Beth, 2/11/2011 -
" A first novel by the author - it really is between really liked it and amazing. Great characters - I read it straight through. "
— Fran, 2/4/2011 -
" Bill Warrington is a sad and angry widower with Alzheimer’s. He is practically estranged from his 3 grown children when he embarks on a cross-country odyssey with his 15 year old grand-daughter. It took e a while to get into this book but by the end I was enjoying it. "
— Shari, 1/19/2011 -
" Good story about a girl and her grandfather. Author does a good job of describing dementia through the mind of the victim; what things might seem like to him. "
— Susan, 1/15/2011 -
" I loved this book. I couldn't put it down. "
— Solkon, 1/2/2011 -
" James King has a definite talent for capturing the stream of consciousness of a wide range of characters, especially a wide range of ages, from 16 to 80. This is a unique disfunctional family story told with humor and pathos. "
— Linda, 12/19/2010 -
" Very enjoyable, funny, poignant without being trite. Recommend you read it. "
— Pat, 11/26/2010 -
" I liked it very much, but for me the ending was a bit disappointing. This is Mr. King's first novel, and I look forward to reading more of his work. "
— Linda, 11/14/2010 -
" An entertaining read about a dysfunctional family. Several flawed but very likeable characters. "
— Sally, 10/7/2010 -
" wass a cute story.. makes you think about all the older folks and if and when was the last time you hugged your grandparents "
— Luna, 9/27/2010 -
" Bill Warrington is taking his grandaughter to San Francisco, while on this trip he looks back on his life. He thinks about where he went wrong as a father in his childrens lives. I really enjoyed this book, makes you wonder if ever parent does this when they get older. "
— Delta, 9/12/2010
About James King
James King, a corporate communications specialist, has wanted to be a writer since he was a child. Born in Ohio, he currently lives in Connecticut with his wife and children. He wrote most of Bill Warrington’s Last Chance in 2008 while earning an M.A. degree in creative writing from Manhattanville College in Purchase, New York.
About Joe Barrett
Joe Barrett, an actor and Audie Award and Earphones Award–winning narrator, has appeared both on and off Broadway as well as in hundreds of radio and television commercials.