A review by rbharath
Fadeaway Joe: A Novel by Hugh Lessig

lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

There is something to be said about easy reads. They give you a respite from serious stuff which requires a lot of concentration & note taking. This is one such – few but loveable characters and a straightforward story with some out of the usual elements thrown in. 

Joe has worked for Maxie and been friends with him for over 40 years. It was a tough job as a bouncer for most of the period, and Joe was loyal. Joe is diagnosed with early stage Alzheimer's and is sacked. Max has however helped a little in setting Joe up with a food delivery service. Joe is sore though, as he has also lost his girlfriend Kathy in the process, who is now with Max. His neighbour Donna is friendly, realizing he tends to get confused sometimes and checks in on him periodically. Joe, one morning, finds blood in his boat and is unsure if he had something to do with it during the night. At work one day, he meets Paula Jessup, who seems to be in danger from some thugs. Joe and Paula are an unlikely pair who team up to see if they can help each other get over their troubles. 

As a person struggling with early-stage dementia and coping with acute disappointment alone, Joe is a very interesting character, and this story is all about him. I liked the tough character Joe is, while also being vulnerable & unsure with being alone and coping from dementia. While there is potentially a good story with respect to Paula, it is not well developed. Donna is a great supporting character in the story. There is not much novelty in the plot and Joe’s rivalry and attempts to get a step ahead of Max are simplistic. 

Thanks to Netgalley, Crooked Lane Books and the author for a free electronic review copy.