So Long, Chester Wheeler: A Novel

Written 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.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Brilliance Audio
• Release date: Dec 6, 2022
• ISBN: 9781713668893

Catherine Ryan Hyde

Catherine Ryan Hyde is the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and #1 Amazon Charts bestselling author of more than forty books and counting. An avid traveler, equestrian, and amateur photographer, she shares her astrophotography with readers on her website. Her novel Pay It Forward was adapted into a major motion picture, chosen by the American Library Association (ALA) for its Best Books for Young Adults list, and translated into more than twenty-three languages for distribution in over thirty countries. Both Becoming Chloe and Jumpstart the World were included on the ALA’s Rainbow Book List, and Jumpstart the World was a finalist for two Lambda Literary Awards. Where We Belong won two Rainbow Awards in 2013, and The Language of Hoofbeats won a Rainbow Award in 2015. More than fifty of her short stories have been published in the Antioch Review, Michigan Quarterly Review, Virginia Quarterly Review, Ploughshares, Glimmer Train, and many other journals; in the anthologies Santa Barbara Stories and California Shorts; and in the bestselling anthology Dog Is My Copilot. Her stories have been honored by the Raymond Carver Short Story Contest and the Tobias Wolff Award and have been nominated for The Best American Short Stories, the O. Henry Award, and the Pushcart Prize. Three have been cited in the annual The Best American Short Stories anthology. She is the founder and former president (2000–2009) of the Pay It Forward Foundation. As a professional public speaker, she has addressed the National Conference on Education, twice spoken at Cornell University, met with AmeriCorps members at the White House, and shared a dais with Bill Clinton. For more information, please visit the author at www.catherineryanhyde.com.

Reviews for So Long, Chester Wheeler

[Jessica Williams · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Beautiful..simply beautiful. I love how the author shows the depths of each character. Her books leave me pondering life long after they end.

[Helga Skjelbreia · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I love all her books that I have read, and I have read quite a few. Looking forward to the next one ?

[nyiper · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I'm never disappointed with another Catherine Ryan Hyde novel and this one was no exception. What's not to love about Lewis? Her characters glow....we are allowed to see them rom the inside and it's so special ---which, for me, makes what is so wonderful about reading one of Hyde's books. And she educates along the way about so many parts of the LGBTQ community as fellow human beings. Chester was certainly a work in progress for Lewis.

[kimkimkim-7 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is a big, loud shoutout to all those caretakers who take care of the unfortunate, the unlovable, the unlikeable and those who have no one else. For all of the caretakers like Lewis Madigan who have found in themselves the ability to reach deep and help those on their last journey, regardless of their patient’s dispositions - applause, applause and more hand clapping.Lewis is a matter of fact kind of person. He can parse a person’s situation and disposition and respond with that one sentence that will get to the core of the matter. Understanding that even the most ungrateful, homophobic, bully remains a person that requires assistance is what defines Lewis. With help and encouragement he is able to realize that the hardest case is his best case. Catherine Ryan Hyde has created a very thoughtful and sometimes humorous character in Lewis and has pitted him against the very unsympathetic Chester Wheeler. The road trip upon which they embark is at times as hilarious as it is frustrating and poignant. Hyde has thrown in just the right amount of need, necessity, humor and even love. Thank you Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for a copy.