Millard Salter's Last Day

By: Jacob M. Appel

Narrated by: Joe Barrett

Length: 7 hrs and 6 mins

Publisher's summary

In an effort to delay the frailty and isolation that comes with old age, psychiatrist Millard Salter decides to kill himself by the end of the day - but first he has to tie up some loose ends. These include a tête-à-tête with his youngest son, Lysander, who at 43 has yet to hold down a paying job; an unscheduled rendezvous with his first wife, Carol, whom he hasn't seen in 27 years; and a brief visit to the grave of his second wife, Isabelle.

Complicating this plan, though, is Delilah, the widow with whom he has fallen in love in the past few months. As Millard begins to wrap up his life, he confronts a lifetime of challenges during a single day - and discovers that his family has a big surprise for him as well.

©2017 Blackstone Audio, Inc. (P)2017 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Right up to the end

Strange plot premise to me, but somehow I kept listening. A little wordy but engaging, right up to the end. Definitely unexpected. Four stars, but not on my re-listen to list.

Very tongue in cheek funny

Funny. Fine performance aside from some pronunciation limitations re some yiddishism words or the word “consult”.

Funny probably in particular for people in academics or in medicine or both or a New Yorker ir a baby boomer or familiar with NY Jewish culture
I identified with almost all of it.
Funny even without identification.

Excellent,Multi-dimensional story

The depth and reality of this story draw you in and paint a wonderful image of a sad time at the end of a life well lived. It is mysterious at times, but also relatable in a dark sense. There is a commitment to the story, hoping that the obvious will not happen and desiring a surprise twist at the end. It is, however, much like reality.... and sad in it’s ending. Very entertaining!

The author was so interesting I had to read it

A few years back I watched a documentary, which I think was a Bitcoin doc… anyways Jacob M. Appel was in it and this guy had a record number of high level degrees and jobs. He’s a; lawyer, doctor, etc, etc, and a writer. Jacob was so interesting that when it was mentioned he wrote a book, I looked it up immediately and added it to my watch list. Just recently it went on sale, I picked it up, and once starting I plowed through it in like 3 days.
I really enjoyed this book, it was very well written, and the reader Joe Barrett was perfect for the part. You know from the title and the first few lines that it’s going to be a little dark, but the constant humor always cuts through the dark. It is mentioned a few times that he is Jewish and that particular humor does show through the whole time, one of my favorite humors. Also the age of Millard was written perfectly and brought to fruition with Joe Barretts voice.
Well done, I would read another Appel book if another is ever written and Audibleized.

keeps your attention

I was entertained throughout the reading. I wanted to know what happens next from start to finish.

Refreshing, Original, Creative

Loved this book. Jacob Appel is genius. Why am I only now hearing of him?

great storytelling....

great story. ... kept me guessing til the end .... humorous, sad, and authentic all at the same time. learned of this book after watching the documentary of the author "Jacob".

A real gem

Loved this, smart, funny and inspirational, don’t miss it. I’ll be reading as many Jacob Appel books as I can find, please give us more Audible!

super compelling!

I really enjoyed this book! I think we can all identify with the main protagonist some if not most ways. Very down-to-Earth. also read about the author, there's an Amazon documentary about him. he's amazing!

Disappointing

As a 65 yo psychiatrist w ex-wives. I am right in the center of the target audience. I found the main character entertaing and likeable. i largely enjoyed the book. it was often humorous. However, his action in the final chapter were never really explained or justified. They seemed hollow.