Greer is a self-described “dumb teenager” at the mature age of fifteen. In the Last of Will, she breaks the fourth wall by asking “I still can’t fathom how you got in here to watch this train wreck unfold. Seriously, I don’t recall sending out invitations. But since you’re here, try and keep up.”
Greer’s father Will is newly unemployed from his long-time accountancy position. Good thing Greer’s mother still has income from her florist shop. However, money is tight. When Will’s unemployment is about to run out, he impulsively gets a job as a gravedigger, which was a job he held in college. His first job is to carry a man’s ashes home to his family beginning the crazy road trip with Greer, which is the center of this novel.
Greer is the perfect teenager: sarcastic, witty, somewhat manipulative, who overthinks every event and decision within her life. Greer is us all—either now, soon, or in the past. Reading her story was laugh-out-loud funny in spots and heart-breaking in others.
Here is Greer’s assessment of world history, “I mean, yeah, some vaguely interesting stuff happened along the centuries, but all I remember after a chapter is that most wars are about land or religion, most geniuses come off as initially crazy, and most conquerors are shorter than you’d expect.” A succinct explanation of both history and Game of Thrones!
If you think the two quotes above are funny, then you will enjoy this teen/young adult’s journey across the country. 4 stars!
Thanks to Black Chateau and NetGalley for a copy in exchange for my honest review.