Baxter's Requiem

This is such a wonderful story. I remember whist reading it that I thought there really wasn't too much going on but, by the time I finished it and sat back and pondered on what I had just read, I realised that there was so much more to the story than on face value.
Baxter has been pretty much forced into moving into a home. He is not really happy with this decision and initially tries to push boundaries as he rocks the boat. But then he gets to know one of the employees, Greg, a young man who is floundering a bit in his own life. They realise that they have one key thing in common; the loss of a loved one and appear to bond over this. With Baxter not too much longer for the world, there is something he needs to do and needs Greg's help to do it, and hopefully, maybe, help Greg along the way.
I took to the two main characters right from the off. They both tugged at my heart-strings more and more as I got to know them better. Baxter's backstory was especially poignant for many reasons and had me smiling and crying in equal measure as more was revealed. Greg's story is only just beginning but, like us all, he needs a bit of guidance and as his friendship with Baxter grows, he appears to have found his source.
What really gripped me about this book, what impressed me the most is the way it was told. It was simply told as it was, with no agenda that I could see, just pure, beautiful storytelling. It was a very emotional read for me, probably for that reason. I also really gelled with the author's style from the off, the book pretty much reading itself to me with no effort really required.
Being a new author to me, obviously I went to see what else he has written and was delighted to find a whole back catalogue to check out further. The fact that they appear to be YA does not deter me as I have read some cracking YA books before. It also got me thinking that maybe one of the reasons I loved this book so much was that as I was reading it, it reminded me a little of Matthew Quick in characterisation and style. Quick is another author who writes cracking YA books and who also happens to be my favourite author.
All in all, a delightful read that held my attention nicely throughout and left me satisfied, albeit a bit emotionally spent, at the end. My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, it is a feel good story even though it had sad undertones. The characters are all likeable and well drawn and the writing sublime.

My one regret is that it wasn't long enough, I didn't want it to end and when it did I felt like I was saying goodbye to new found friends.

Highly recommended!

What a fabulous book, I really enjoyed it! The story of 94 year old Baxter and his young friend Greg, who have both suffered terrible loss in their lives. Baxter enlists Greg to help him escape his care home and go on a road trip to France to say goodbye to his lost love Thomas for the final time.
This book was heartbreakingly sad at times, but the humour throughout was a brilliant contrast and helped really make the story come to life. The friendship between the two men was a joy and I loved the other characters, Suzanne and Ramilla who worked in the care home, and his oldest and best friend Winnie who was his partner in crime and drinking pal, they were all wonderfully drawn and really added to the story.
This book is life affirming, joyous, hilarious and also tragic at times, it is a story which will stay with me for a long time and I would thoroughly recommend it.

This is a lovely feel-good story about an elderly gentleman, Baxter, nearing the end of his life, and a young lad, Greg, just embarking on his. Each has suffered the painful loss of a much loved person, who died well before their time. For Baxter, it was the love of his life, who died during WWII. For Greg it was his younger brother, who committed suicide.
They meet at the Melrose Gardens Retirement home, where Baxter is a rather unwilling inmate (‘It’s like practising being dead and paying for the privilege!’), and Greg is trying hard to cope with his first ever job, as a care assistant.
Right at the start, Baxter is informed by his doctor that he is unlikely to last another year. At 94 years of age, Baxter is unperturbed by impending death, but there are two missions he sets himself to accomplish before his demise: first is to go to France and finally say goodbye to his lover, to ensure that he is never forgotten; second is to save Greg from the overwhelming grief, that threatens to blight his young life forever.
Baxter’s romance was so beautifully captured, and it was plain to see what a traumatic effect the loss of his love had on Baxter’s subsequent life. Luckily, he had two very good friends to help him cope. Now, he wants to offer the same help to Greg – to show him that life can still be joyful, and not be just a dreary existence.
Greg’s pain is obvious, not only to Baxter, but to both of his co-workers, Suzanne and Ramila: “That Greg was troubled was self-evident. His body and his mind operated on two separate planes – as if he were trying to navigate his own avatar with a faulty joystick”. Greg gets no respite at home, where his father is incapable of dealing with either his own grief – or that of his son. Currently, work is the only solace for both Greg and his father.
Baxter’s plan to help Greg get off to a rocky start: “‘My ship’s sailed,’ Greg said flatly. ‘You’re eighteen years old,’ said Baxter with an exhausted smile. ‘Your ship hasn’t even been built yet’.” But with help from Suzanne’s friendly ear and Ramila’s flirting – not to mention the incorrigible Winnifred (one of Baxter’s dissolute elderly friends) – Greg slowly emerges from his shell.
I loved this book. All the main and secondary characters are well developed, each with their own back stories, so that they quickly become real people, with whom you can empathise, and most of whom you would like to meet. You become fully invested in all of them, and need to know how their lives turn out. I particularly liked Ramila, who is nowhere near as shallow as she likes to make out. I highly recommend this book.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book - so moving and funny in equal measure. The story of the late life adventures of Baxter and his new young friend Greg kept me turning pages as we learned of the past of both these men and joined with them as they dealt with their experiences in order to live in the present and step forward into the future.

This is not another quirky old person defies the rules book, it's a joy, a lesson for living, utterly delightful and yes, I have an unexpected tear in my eye. Baxter, 94 and in a nursing home, and Gregory, 19 and mired in grief, form an unlikely bond and they go on a trip that opens up Gregory's life and enables closure for Baxter. All the characters in this thoughtful, funny tale are well-developed and the steps back in time to Baxter's tender romance with Thomas are beautifully told. Bravo.

I'm really pleased to have met this book. It is brilliant. It has two very loveable main characters (although you wouldn't think so at first sight), and a host of colourful and equally loveable supporting characters.
Mr Baxter looked an old curmudgeon when I first saw him. But later I warmed towards him.
He is haunted by the memories of a great love and great loss from his past and before he dies he wants to have closure.
Greg who accompanies him also had to endure a great loss and now feels himself in a sort of limbo because of his grief.
A very unlikely sort of friendship forms between them that is heatwarming to watch unfold.
The book also very tastefully deals with a sensitive subject - the love of Mr Baxter's life was a man, and Greg's brother also suffered because he was taunted for being gay.
The storyline alternates between the past and the present and it ends in a sort of cliffhanger, but with Greg we can hope that something better is coming.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and was sorry to see it end. I will definitely look out for the works of this author.

Beautiful, touching, heart-rending and uplifting story about love, loss and friendship. If you think you have read enough about plucky old people in a nursing home; you are wrong. This tale is wonderfully written with deftly engaging characters that feel like friends. I would love a sequel please. This is a genuine five star read and I wholeheartedly recommend it.