In an effort to delay the frailty and isolation that comes with old age, psychiatrist Millard Salter decides to kill himself by the end of the day-but first he has to tie up some loose ends. These include a tête-à-tête with his youngest son, Lysander, who at forty-three has yet to hold down a paying job; an unscheduled rendezvous with his first wife, Carol, whom he hasn't seen in twenty-seven years; and a brief visit to the grave of his second wife, Isabelle. Complicating this plan though is Delilah, the widow with whom he has fallen in love in the past few months. As Millard begins to wrap up his life, he confronts a lifetime of challenges during a single day-and discovers that his family has a big surprise for him as well. "The more we get to know Millard Salter, the more we want him to live…Millard Salter's Last Day wins readers in a number of ways. The author has a gift for schtick-above all, Jewish New York City schtick. And in spite of Salter's claim to being in a profound funk, when all is said and done, the man is full of life." "Delving into the topic of mortality with an artful blend of humor and introspection, this unique novel captures the unexpected perspective of embracing life and death simultaneously…[and] yields an affable main character and paints a vivid story line that takes place within a single day."
