So Long, Chester Wheeler Audiobook By Catherine Ryan Hyde cover art

So Long, Chester Wheeler

A Novel

Preview

Try for $0.00
Prime logo Prime members: New to Audible?
Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

So Long, Chester Wheeler

By: Catherine Ryan Hyde
Narrated by: Michael Crouch
Try for $0.00

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $20.00

Buy for $20.00

Confirm purchase
Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.
Cancel

About this listen

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.

©2022 Catherine Ryan Hyde (P)2022 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.
Family Life Fiction Friendship Genre Fiction Literature & Fiction Feel-Good Heartfelt

Critic reviews

“Michael Crouch delivers a heartwarming—and heartbreaking—performance in this exploration of generational differences and death.… While Crouch expertly anchors listeners with the steady beat of Lewis's narration, his skill shines as he brings a tragic undertone to Chester's curmudgeonly nature. Underscoring the complexities of all people, Crouch will make listeners laugh and cry in equal turns.”AudioFile Magazine

“Fans of Erica Bauermeister and Jan Karon will appreciate Hyde’s deft handling of the contrast between Chester’s vulnerability and Lewis’s emerging talents as a caretaker. So Long, Chester Wheeler is a testament to unlikely friendships and the power of hidden strengths.”Booklist

So Long, Chester Wheeler will change you in ways that you can’t imagine a book could... Once you read this story, there is no chance that you will ever forget it. It is a rare treasure that doesn’t come along often.”Bookreporter

What listeners say about So Long, Chester Wheeler

Highly rated for:

Heartwarming Story Excellent Narration Touching Emotional Journey Captivating Vocal Performance
Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    779
  • 4 Stars
    169
  • 3 Stars
    29
  • 2 Stars
    8
  • 1 Stars
    2
Performance
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    771
  • 4 Stars
    85
  • 3 Stars
    17
  • 2 Stars
    3
  • 1 Stars
    1
Story
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    699
  • 4 Stars
    135
  • 3 Stars
    29
  • 2 Stars
    6
  • 1 Stars
    1

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Just what the universe ordered!

This book was very satisfying. I really enjoyed it. It also came at the right time. I believe I am about to start helping Veterans with pain issues. Many of them, though certainly not all, have personalities like Chester Wheelers. Perhaps it is the pain and disappointments of life. I actually got some good advice and one liners to both help them and me. Such a beautiful book! Thank you!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

10 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Loved this book

I wasn’t sure I was even going to like this book at the start but within a few minutes I was very engaged in the story . Narrated in a very no nonsense way, the characters were made very real to me. The book is about finding kindness in a hard world with tough people . It was such a good book

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Heartwarming story!

I love this book! It’s a great story about how humanity prevails when superficial issues cloud issues. Loved it!!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent read. Expect tears and laughter.

Excellent book, all the way around!! I would read everything this author has written and anything this narrator has been a part of.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Wonderful Story

I simply loved this story. I felt as if I had grown to love the main characters, even when they were completely unlovable. The story was very touching, and I didn't want it to end. I would recommend this book to everyone.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Incredible narrator!

This book was superb, not only the story but the narrator. I really invested in the characters and the story. Highly recommend.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Completely awesome

I love all her books. Fantastic from start to finish. This book was worth the wait. It’s a story that’s hard to put down as the characters are so different and capture some people that may be in your own life. I was also drawn in by the narrators voice. Its one of those books you don’t want to end as the storyline is wonderful. The end of the book does not leave you hanging or disappoint.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

love the book

the story is heartwarming, heart breaking and absolutely wonderful. a great listen....a must listen .

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Wow

This is a great book, BUT not for everyone. I loved it! I can best describe it as being for older, or extremely mature people who are very emotionally mature. I don’t go by reviews. But I would say that there’s a lot of people who thought it was boring. I totally connected with the characters in the 1st 30 minutes. You have to understand empathy, and sympathy, but still be able to see the message it sends. I laughed, and cried, and finished it in 2 days. It’s fiction, but it’s not. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A Must Read

Actually I think this book is best when listened to. The narrator is absolutely fantastic, as is the story. This reminds of the The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, and The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell together.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!