The Fountain Of Youth by Steve Shear.
“Two generations of dementia are enough!”
Robert Glickman declares in his quest to die with dignity and the likelihood he will be next. To that end, he uses his grandson’s sixth grade quiz book, a locked away metal box, and a secret weapon that eventually comes back to haunt him.
In the meantime, he is embroiled in the lives of other residents: his neurotic sister, Essie who plots to steal his secret weapon for herself; beautiful Christina Abernathy, a retired psychotherapist he instantly falls in love with; Hester, a young server at the Fountain who suffers from progressive mutism; Boyle, a man of mystery with a questionable past for good or evil (Glickman isn’t sure which); and Boyle’s grandson, Santini, a troubled young man caught between the dope dealers he runs with and the FBI wanting to use him.
Will Glickman and Essie beat dementia? Can he win over Christina? And what about Hester, Boyle, and Boyle’s grandson?
5 Stars: Great Compassion!
I found The Fountain Of Youth by Steve Shear most interesting because my grandparents managed a retirement home and nursing home. I grew up around these homes, associating with many of the older people who lived in both. When my father became disabled (car accident, my mother, father and I teenager) we moved into an apartment within the Retirement Home. I lived there until I graduated from high school and left home. This book brought back a lot of wonderful memories of the older people that I associated with in my youth. It also brought back memories of those I saw physically and mentally decline.
I love how the author draws the reader into the daily lives of the people who live at “The Fountain of Youth” and I love the title. As I said, I have already lived in an old folks’ home, so when I get old, I want to go to a young folks’ home. The colorful characters who reside at “The Foundation of Youth” bring with them their past experiences, their lifelong stories, their strong personalities, human emotions. They exhibit an ability to adjust to their surroundings as they fight to stay in control of their physical and mental health with full knowledge that the road ahead is not what anyone would want for themselves or anyone else.
Main character Robert Glickman is acutely aware of his genetic predisposition for Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. He has lost family and friends, and he refuses to go quietly into this physical and mental hell. Adding a little romance can’t hurt. Robert did his best to encourage others through reading to them. Here is a good quote from Robert: “As I dropped down to LL2, it occurred to me that I no longer considered the lowest floor as Hades or the River Styx and when the elevator doors opened it didn’t seem as hot and oppressive. It was certainly quiet however. I stepped into the lounge and stared at the couch where O’Reilly and I read Gatsby. I could still see the crowd of patients in wheelchairs, on walkers, and sitting uncomfortably in those same gray folding chairs everyone purchases from Costco… Patients! I referred to them as patients, not residents. The word rolled off my lips without a bit of concern. Maybe I was reconciling myself to the future. Never!”
You probably know someone or even care for a loved one who is struggling with one or more diseases that cause dementia. As researchers work hard to find cures for these diseases, it is our job to stay informed of the latest advances in medications and assistance for end of life. Although fiction, I think this author has addressed these issues well.
I give the book 5 stars because the author shows great compassion for those afflicted and this book addresses a difficult subject that affects missions of people, their family, friends and caregivers.
Editorial Review and Endorsement by Book Marketing Global Network.
Message From The Author: “When I was growing up, sharing a single bedroom with three brothers in a duplex on Dartmouth Avenue, my maternal grandmother, Mama, lived with us and had her own room. Often, she would babysit when our parents went out and we would play gin rummy, Mama and me. She cheated but I still won. Mama would also buy individual packets of sunflower seeds (we called them ‘polly’ seeds) from our uncle who lived upstairs. He was a pharmacist and even though she bought them wholesale, she sold them to us boys’ retail. Of course, we knew where she hid them so I’m afraid to say she got the short end of that deal. At the time I didn’t think she knew we were stealing them. At the time I was young and stupid.
When Mama was around nine-two my parents moved her to a nursing home. In those days you really didn’t want to visit a nursing home, but we did, every Sunday. During one visit, Mama introduced me to ‘Aunt’ Charlotte, her next-door neighbor at the home. “Mama,” I said, “She’s not my aunt.” But she stood her ground and insisted Charlotte was my aunt and I should greet her accordingly. Finally, while I was still arguing with her, she said, “Stevie, mit her money and no one to leave it to, she’s your aunt.” Again, I was young and stupid.
Thank the powers greater than us (if there are any), Mama did not live long in that nursing home (which she hated) and she died with the humor I grew up with. She was one of the reasons I wrote The Fountain of Youth.”
Review by Amy’s Bookshelf Reviews: 5.0 out of 5 Stars. A remarkably written story! Reviewed in the United States on January 6, 2022. Verified Purchase. What a powerful, emotional, and remarkable story in The Fountain of Youth by Steve Shear. I am a big fan of this author! Whatever this author writes, I read. I love it when a Legacy author sends me more of their work! A family stuck with generations of dementia, and how it not just allows the one with it to suffer without dignity, but the family around them, dealing with the slow loss of their family member. There is always that fear that it will happen to them as well. And the words that resonated with me, were of a child after the loss of his mother, ““I will choose the time. I will choose the time. Not God or any power outside my control!” And “Fountain of Youth” is a senior living facility. Now, here is a tale that brings raw emotions, reminded this reader who lost a grandmother to dementia, and watching her suffer with memories of an abusive childhood. I get this story and see why it is so important for others to read it. There is a sense of not giving up, but continuing to life, and all its secrets. I find it interesting that Robert uses his son’s sixth grade quiz book, and it is important to him, but he keeps that his secret. And then, there are the other residents with Robert, and even rumors of one being a Nazi in hiding. I really enjoyed the read. The emotions and passion that was put into writing this, shows. A very impressively written story. The Fountain of Youth is a definite recommendation by Amy’s Bookshelf Reviews. I look forward to reading many more stories by this author.
Review by Kindle Customer: 5.0 out of 5 Stars. A Story of Life, Love and Final Options. Reviewed in the United States on July 11, 2017. Verified Purchase. There’s so much more I could say about The Fountain of Youth (the subplots, the personalities, the humor), but I’ll stick to the ethical issue for my comments. This novel should be required reading in legal, medical and sociology courses as our younger generation grapples with these ethical questions: Who defines quality of life? Do I have control over my own body in life and death? Should aid-in-dying be available to people with conditions that are not considered physically terminal?
Of course, the most rational answer to the question is that any mentally competent adult should have the right to receive aid-in-dying if facing what the patient considers to be debilitating and/or painful or prolonged mental or physical suffering like Essie and Robbie were confronting. Typically, illnesses like dementia, Alzheimer’s and especially Parkinson’s do not cause death which usually comes from a secondary condition like pneumonia or kidney failure or other complication.
Those who suffer from Alzheimer’s may not be in a physically terminal condition, but they are facing the loss of their personal identity. They are mentally and emotionally terminal. I thank The Fountain of Youth and its author for laying the groundwork for continued dialogue about the right-to-die movement and expanding the topic beyond the realm of physical terminal illness.
Product Details:
Paperback: 298 Pages
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press, Inc. (Last Rose Of Summer Rose) (May 19, 2017)
Language: English
Romance (Contemporary)
Amazon Print:
https://www.amazon.com/Fountain-Youth-Steve-Shear/dp/1509213899/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8
Customer Ratings:
https://www.amazon.com/Fountain-Youth-Steve-Shear/dp/1509213899/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8#customerReviews
Author’s Page At Book Marketing Global Network:
https://bookmarketingglobalnetwork.com/book-marketing-global-network/author-steve-shear/
