The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey

Ptolemy is a ninety-one-year-old African American man living in Los Angeles. He is experiencing the early stages of dementia. He is physically strong for his age, but has difficulty distinguishing the past from the present; memories of long-ago events mesh with current happenings. He frequently confuses people in his life with those he lost decades ago.

At the beginning of the novel, Ptolemy rarely leaves his apartment, which is filthy and stacked with junk and mementos. He relies on a younger relative named Reggie to help him cope with life and do his shopping for him. When Reggie is murdered, Ptolemy’s life changes dramatically. A chance meeting with a teenager named Robyn draws him out of his mental fog. Soon, Ptolemy is using an experimental memory drug to regain control of his life. With his memory returned, he is able to right a few past wrongs and avenge Reggie’s murder. Ptolemy has lived his entire life in fear until his final days allow him “to do one thing right” (215).

Robyn is an eighteen-year-old orphan. Her kindness at Reggie’s funeral immediately draws Ptolemy’s interest, and she assumes the role of his caregiver. Robyn is genuinely interested in helping Ptolemy. By cleaning his apartment and sorting through the debris of his life, she gradually helps him to regain control of his mind.