by Emma Cline

David Hastings is losing his memory, so much so that he has had to resign from his high-level executive job. David’s mental deterioration is happening so rapidly that he has made the decision to travel to Switzerland for medical assistance in dying. But before he dies, he has some last-minute personal business to attend to.

Handily enough, David has money. A lot of money. Private-jet, personal-assistant money. Cody, David’s personal assistant, is with him to cater to his every need. Unfortunately, David is beginning to suffer a bit of paranoia and doesn’t entirely trust Cody, so while Cody is organizing these final days for David, David can’t help but feel Cody is stealing from him.

This unfinished business includes one last visit with his daughter (who is unaware of her father’s condition) and with an old childhood friend he wronged in the past. The closer it gets to his scheduled departure, the more personal the narrative becomes. We, the reader, are privy to an examination of conscience of sorts. And remember, David, no matter his state of mind, can still change his mind and live out his final days at home.

I found this novel evocatively written and entirely sobering (no wonder, considering the subject matter). Because we, the reader, are so completely exposed to David, his life and his thoughts (muddled as they are), I didn’t find him a sympathetic character. Not that I didn’t wish him peace during his final days, but I didn’t exactly care whether he found resolution for the emotional conflicts he was seeking to heal.

Would I recommend this book? It depends. I greatly appreciated the premise and the writer’s craft. Did I take away any deeper understanding of myself or others? Not really. Did it create empathy in me, the reader? Slightly. Would I read it again? I don’t think so, but there are a few passages I found very artfully written.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for the copy.