So Long, Chester Wheeler

A Novel

By: Catherine Ryan Hyde

Narrated by: Michael Crouch

Unlikely road trip companions form an unexpected bond in an uplifting novel about the past—lost and found—by the New York Times and #1 Amazon Charts bestselling author.

Lewis Madigan is young, gay, out of work, and getting antsy when he’s roped into providing end-of-life care for his insufferable homophobic neighbor, Chester Wheeler. Lewis doesn’t need the aggravation, just the money. The only requirements: run errands, be on call, and put up with a miserable old churl no one else in Buffalo can bear. After exchanging barbs, bickering, baiting, and pushing buttons, Chester hits Lewis with the big ask.

Lewis can’t say no to a dying wish: drive Chester to Arizona in his rust bucket of a Winnebago to see his ex-wife for the first time in thirty-two years—for the last time. One week, two thousand miles. To Lewis, it becomes an illuminating journey into the life and secrets of a vulnerable man he’s finally beginning to understand. A neighbor, a stranger, and a surprising new friend whose closure on a conflicted past is also just beginning.

So Long, Chester Wheeler is an uplifting novel about looking deeper into the heart and soul to form bonds with the last people we’d expect—only to discover that they’re the ones who need it most.

©2022 Catherine Ryan Hyde (P)2022 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Critic reviews

“Michael Crouch delivers a heartwarming—and heartbreaking—performance in this exploration of generational differences and death.… While Crouch expertly anchors listeners with the steady beat of Lewis's narration, his skill shines as he brings a tragic undertone to Chester's curmudgeonly nature. Underscoring the complexities of all people, Crouch will make listeners laugh and cry in equal turns.”—AudioFile Magazine

“Fans of Erica Bauermeister and Jan Karon will appreciate Hyde’s deft handling of the contrast between Chester’s vulnerability and Lewis’s emerging talents as a caretaker. So Long, Chester Wheeler is a testament to unlikely friendships and the power of hidden strengths.”—Booklist

“So Long, Chester Wheeler will change you in ways that you can’t imagine a book could... Once you read this story, there is no chance that you will ever forget it. It is a rare treasure that doesn’t come along often.”—Bookreporter

Amazing read and narration!

I loved this book! I finished it the same day I started it because it was so engaging and the narrator was absolutely perfect! Highly recommend!

Chester Wheeler

The author should have ended this book two chapters sooner ; it was not necessary to extend the journey further than Chester

So Long Chester

This book restored my feelings about how we need to be more kind to each other, and not take things, so personally… Everybody’s going through something! What a wonderful read. In fact, I might just read it again.❤️

So touching

So turns out Chester wasn’t as bad as all that . Loved this story. Listened in the car & didn’t want trips to end

Another great book by Catherine Ryan Hyde

I loved this story. She is a fantastic writer! I actually laughed out loud! Everyone knows a grouchy person.