The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey

By: Walter Mosley

Narrated by: Dominic Hoffman

Length: 8 hrs and 11 mins

Publisher's summary

A masterful, moving novel about age, memory, and family from one of the literary icons of our time.

Coming in March 2022 from Apple Plus, a six-part series starring Samuel L. Jackson.

Ptolemy Grey is 91 years old and has been all but forgotten - by his family, his friends, even himself - as he sinks into a lonely dementia. His grand-nephew, Ptolemy's only connection to the outside world, was recently killed in a drive-by shooting, and Ptolemy is too suspicious of anyone else to allow them into his life. Until he meets Robyn, his niece's 17-year-old lodger and the only one willing to take care of an old man at his grandnephew's funeral.

But Robyn will not tolerate Ptolemy's hermitlike existence. She challenges him to interact more with the world around him, and he grasps more firmly onto his disappearing consciousness. However, this new activity pushes Ptolemy into the fold of a doctor touting an experimental drug that guarantees Ptolemy won't live to see age 92 but that he'll spend his last days in feverish vigor and clarity. With his mind clear, what Ptolemy finds-in his own past, in his own apartment, and in the circumstances surrounding his grand-nephew's death-is shocking enough to spur an old man to action, and to ensure a legacy that no one will forget.

In The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey, Mosley captures the compromised state of his protagonist's mind with profound sensitivity and insight, and creates an unforgettable pair of characters at the center of a novel that is sure to become a true contemporary classic.

©2010 Penguin Audio; 2010 Walter Mosley

Critic reviews

"Mosley's depiction of the indignities of old age is heartbreaking, and Ptolemy's grace and decency make for a wonderful character and a moving novel." ( Publishers Weekly)

One Beautiful Story

This book starts off a bit disjointed and I kept thinking I either wasn't paying close enough attention or that it was poorly written. However, after reading other reviews, I hung in and am so glad I did. This is one of those stories that just won't leave your mind. I'll find myself thinking about Ptolemy at the oddest times. There are many levels to this book and all are thought provoking. Dominic Hoffman did a most excellent narration.

Enchanting

What other book might you compare The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey to and why?

It reminded me of the Last Pilgrimage of Harold Frey - same type of scenario, unlikely they will succeed but they do.

Have you listened to any of Dominic Hoffman’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

The narrator was just delightful - what depth of performance

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

This was a lovely tale of overcoming adversity, weaving in mysticism.
The author's style was just right - beautifully descriptive while capturing your attention.
Wonderful cast of characters

91 years in a slice of life

The story of Ptolemy Grey’s last few weeks is a heartfelt review of recent history, and a glimpse at a world that is slowly slipping away, not just for Ptolemy but for all of us.

The prose is by turns lyrical and sharp, and the characters are alive. It’s easy to see a reflection of ourselves in this book. And whilst the story itself will draw you in, the narration by Dominic Hoffman adds a rich layer of nuance, especially the long pauses which I believe pull you right into Ptolemy Greys experience.

It has an element of crime, and there is a gritty undertone for fans of hard boiled fiction, but it’s also a contemporary piece of literature, which will leave you with greater reward.

MASTERPIECE

Another Walter Mosley masterpiece. I LOVE IT! And, I subscribed to Apple TV to watch the limited series staring Samuel L Jackson.

Nice

It was a good listening experience. Makes me appreciate the show even more now

wow

I absolutely loved this work of art. I couldn't stop listening to it. Mosley really took his time to develop the characters. With in the first 5 chapters, I was caring for the characters and invested in knowing their story and their fates.

I didn't know this was a show on Apple tv until i purchased this book. i guess i will check that out.

Great Story

l absolutely loved the book and now I can watch the show! I could visualize every character and see each setting so clearly! I couldn't stop listening! Great Story!
The narrator was awesome 👌 Some narrators are not great but this one was as he nailed each character's voice

Loved it

Excellent book could not stop listening. I would recommend listening not lot of action but the story holds your attention. I hope the movie vie captures the essence of the storyline

The great Mr. Mosley does it again!!

It started slow but once it picked up, it never let up! The great Walter Mosley NEVER disappoints!!

Beautiful and moving

This book is about so many things. Transformative love and kindness, ugly realities, racial injustice - its legacy and persistence, the balance of good and evil, and more. It’s also a masterfully told story that can make you laugh out loud and cry shamelessly. And it reminds that getting old is a b**** and you’d better take care of your business before you end up old and alone.