Book Synopsis:
Let me tell you a story, about a man I knew, and a man I know…
Mr Baxter is ninety-four years old when he falls down his staircase and grudgingly finds himself resident at Melrose Gardens Retirement Home.
Baxter is many things – raconteur, retired music teacher, rabble-rouser, bon viveur – but ‘good patient’ he is not. He had every intention of living his twilight years with wine, music and revelry; not tea, telly and Tramadol. Indeed, Melrose Gardens is his worst nightmare – until he meets Gregory.
At only nineteen years of age, Greg has suffered a loss so heavy that he is in danger of giving up on life before he even gets going.
Determined to save the boy, Baxter decides to enlist his help on a mission to pay tribute to his long-lost love, Thomas: the man with whom he found true happiness; the man he waved off to fight in a senseless war; the man who never returned. The best man he ever knew.
With Gregory in tow Baxter sets out on a spirited escape from Melrose, bound for the war graves of Northern France. As Baxter shares his memories, the boy starts to see that life need not be a matter of mere endurance; that the world is huge and beautiful; that kindness is strength; and that the only way to honour the dead, is to live.
Baxter’s Requiem is a glorious celebration of life, love and seizing every last second we have while we’re here.
Baxter’s Requiem is available now in all formats. Purchase your copy using the link below.
My Review:
This is a beautifully written though emotional book which will stay with me for a long time. The author has managed to create a wonderful story of friendship and lost love that was a very interesting read.
Baxter was a wonderful main character that I quickly warmed to. I felt very sorry for him when he is forced into the retirement home but I enjoyed watching his relationship with Greg develop and learning more about his past life. I think its quite sad that in our busy lives it is easy to write off elderly people and not think of them as having a past. It was therefore very interesting, though sad to realise what had happened in Baxter’s life which had obviously had long lasting effects. Greg was another endearing character and it was lovely to see how his friendship with Baxter helped and guided him.
This isn’t particularly a fast moving book and there isn’t a lot of action in it, though this doesn’t stop it from being a very compelling read. The story is a very emotional one as we learn more about the characters and I felt it unfolded in real time which made me warm further to the characters. I found myself thinking about this book long after I had finished reading and will look forward to reading more from this author. I have seen a few other reviewers comparing him to Matthew Quick which I would agree with as the style is similar. I’m looking forward to reading more from him in the future.
Huge thanks to Anne Cater for inviting me onto the blog tour and to the publishers for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
About The Author:
Matthew Crow was born and raised in Newcastle. Having worked as a freelance journalist since his teens he has contributed to a number of publications including the Independent on Sunday and the Observer. He has written for adults and YA. His book My Dearest Jonah, was nominated for the Dylan Thomas Prize.
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