The Last True Love Story by Brendan Kiely

Abstract

Reviewed by: The Last True Love Story by Brendan Kiely Karen Coats Kiely, Brendan The Last True Love Story. McElderry, 2016 [288p] Trade ed. ISBN 978-1-4814-2988-7 $17.99 E-book ed. ISBN 978-1-4814-2990-0 $10.99 Reviewed from galleys R Gr. 9-12 Hendrix wants to express his love and gratitude for his grandfather, Gpa, a Vietnam vet who’s now battling Alzheimer’s, before it’s too late. He’s also fascinated by bold Corrina, who was adopted from Guatemala by well-meaning hippies and who resents the way they treat her like a psychological specimen rather than a daughter. Since she’s seeking escape, she’s game when Hendrix proposes she join him and Gpa on a road trip from their home in California to Ithaca, New York, the place where Gpa grew up, married, and buried the love of his life. It’s no accident that they are heading toward a place called Ithaca, or that one of their stops involves a concert by a band called Father Lotus; the subtle allusions and themes are more keyed to Cavafy’s poem “Ithaka” than Homer’s Odyssey, though, as the point here is the knowledge gained on the journey rather than the destination, which they never reach. Hendrix’s thoughtful narration functions as a poetic, reflective offset for the restless anger and teen angst he demonstrates in his behavior—anger toward Gpa’s illness, the secrets his mother and Gpa have kept from him about his dad, and his own insecurities. The latter are challenged and to a large degree assuaged by Corrina as the two become first friends and then lovers, but the real love story here is between the teens and Gpa, as both Hendrix and Corrina learn how to give Gpa the care he needs while learning from his experiences of love, war, regret, and forgiveness. Readers who appreciate literary road trips with Vietnam-era tunes on their playlists will enjoy this. Copyright © 2016 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois