The Last Days of Roger Federer

And Other Endings

By: Geoff Dyer

Narrated by: Richard Burnip

Length: 11 hrs and 29 mins

Publisher's summary

Much attention has been paid to so-called late style—but what about last style? When does last begin? How early is late? When does the end set in?

In this endlessly stimulating investigation, Geoff Dyer sets his own encounter with late middle age against the last days and last achievements of writers, painters, athletes and musicians who've mattered to him throughout his life. With a playful charm and penetrating intelligence, he examines Friedrich Nietzsche's breakdown in Turin, Bob Dylan's reinventions of old songs, J.W. Turner's paintings of abstracted light, John Coltrane's cosmic melodies, Jean Rhys' return from the dead (while still alive) and Beethoven's final quartets—and considers the intensifications and modifications of experience that come when an ending is within sight. Oh, and there's stuff about Roger Federer and tennis, too.

This book on last things—written while life as we know it seemed to be coming to an end—is also about how to go on living with art and beauty, on the entrancing effect and sudden illumination that an Art Pepper solo or an Annie Dillard reflection can engender in even the most jaded sensibilities. Blending criticism, memoir and repartee into something entirely new, The Last Days of Roger Federer is a summation of Dyer's passions and the perfect introduction to his sly and joyous work.

©2022 Geoff Dyer (P)2022 Canongate Books

Hmmm

Had to force myself to finish the book which, ironically, has a lot of content about books the author struggled to finish. Bit too self indulgent for me. Funny in a couple of places but reward to effort ratio very low. Could have included more on the positive nature of many endings, like the overwhelming relief I experienced when I heard the "I hope you have enjoyed listening" message finally play at the conclusion of the book