Saving Grayson

by Chris Fabry

An inspiring fiction story from the bestselling author of War Room

Grayson Hayes doesn’t remember things as well as he used to, but he’s sure his time is running out. Diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s, he realizes he has a small window of time left to right a terrible injustice—he just can’t remember what it is.

Convinced of the importance of his mission, he embarks on a journey to the small West Virginia town of his childhood hoping he can put together the fractured pieces of his memory and set things right. But as the past becomes more clear, he wonders if God forgives the sins he can’t remember.

A thought-provoking story with challenging themes, this book deals with issues likewhat it’s like to care for a loved one with memory loss,how to live when you feel like you’re losing yourself,what it is that gives value to a human life, andthe eternal power of forgiveness and second chances.Saving Grayson is a wrenching yet hopeful story of a journey to right unknown wrongs and of holding on to what you know even when it feels like everything is slipping away.

Genres: Fiction, Christian Fiction, Contemporary, Christian, Audiobook, Inspirational

253 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 7, 2023

About the author

Chris Fabry is an award-winning author and radio personality who hosts the daily program Chris Fabry Live on Moody Radio. He is also heard on Love Worth Finding, Building Relationships with Dr. Gary Chapman, and other radio programs. A 1982 graduate of the W. Page Pitt School of Journalism at Marshall University and native of West Virginia, Chris and his wife, Andrea, now live in Arizona and are the parents of nine children.

Chris' novels, which include Dogwood, June Bug, Almost Heaven, Not in the Heart, Borders of the Heart, Every Waking Moment, The Promise of Jesse Woods, Looking into You, Under a Cloudless Sky, and A Piece of the Moon, have won five Christy Awards, an ECPA Christian Book Award, and two Christianity Today Book Awards of Merit, but it's his lyrical prose and tales of redemption that keep readers returning for more.

Chris has also published more than 70 other books, ranging from nonfiction and film novelizations, including the Kendrick brothers' War Room and Overcomer, to novels for children and young adults. He coauthored the Left Behind: The Kids series with Jerry B. Jenkins and Tim LaHaye, as well as the Red Rock Mysteries and The Wormling series with Jerry B. Jenkins. RPM is his latest series for kids and explores the exciting world of NASCAR.

Visit Chris' website at www.chrisfabry.com.

Reviews

[Chautona Havig · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books I've read all year. Top five for sure--maybe top three.

One could oversimplify this book into calling it a "road trip gone wrong... and right," but why oversimplify something so beautifully complex. Like the gospel (not equating the two!), the root of this story is love. Love for family, love for a spouse, and the love of a God Who does good things amid the awful because HE is good even (if not especially when) it seems He isn't.

I can't tell much about this book without giving away many many layers, but I will say it is deceptively simple. And Fabry takes this simple story and given it so many complex layers that break down every stereotype they bring up... and also show where we got some of them at the same time. And he does it all without excusing or condoning poor behavior on anyone.

I'm calling it A Man Called Ove meets The Extraordinary Deaths of Mrs. Kip plus dementia.

And it is stinkin' brilliant. I pray he gets multiple awards for this one.

[Stephanie’s Ninth Suitcase · Rating 5 out of 5]

Disclosure: I received a complimentary ARC of the book from the publisher. Opinions expressed are my own.

Scripture Connection
You’re not your own. You’ve been bought at a price…

He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy.

1 Cor. 6:20 / Titus 3:5

Spiritual Themes
For this book’ s spiritual themes, I decided to do something a little bit different and use two verses. As he grapples with Alzheimer’s, Grayson feels out of place, not recognizing the person he’s becoming. What he does recognize, though, is that Jesus has forgiven him. And that is because of His mercy.

Saving Grayson is about forgetting, but it is also very much about remembering: identity in Christ. It’s a powerful story about forgiveness and reconciliation, between God and man, as well as between man and man.

What I Liked
When I added Saving Grayson to my Currently Reading list on GoodReads, I saw an earlier reader commenting on what a hard read this one is. And I have to agree. This is the sort of book that I wouldn’t necessarily want to re-read, but that I am very glad to have read.

This was my first time reading a book from the perspective of someone with Alzheimer’s and, while I don’t know a lot about the condition, I think Fabry did an excellent job in his writing from this perspective. Grayson is, himself, a writer, and he remembers best when he is writing, lending to numerous beautiful and poignant descriptions of Grayson’s experience with forgetting. Readers walk with him in his sweet times of clarity, in the painful hours of confusion, and even in those brief moments between the two, where the veil drops and he goes from lucidity to disorientation. The third-person limited perspective (interspersed with occasional glimpses into other characters’ minds) is very effective in inserting the reader into Grayson’s head– and Grayson into their sympathies.

Characters
I remember, while reading, thinking that one main character was “the hero” of the story, not in the sense of being the protagonist, but because of his kindness and selflessness. Then I had to rethink that I considered the lovingness of the other characters. As I continued to read, I reflected that so many of the characters lavish Grayson with extraordinary love and forgiveness, and that is an awe-inspiring– a testament to God’s grace and forgiveness.

One of my favorite characters was actually the dog, Dubose. Dogs mean a lot to me, and it was beautiful to see how Dubose helped to tether Grayson to reality, and being in Grayson’s head further endears the reader to Dubose. I also liked the brief discussion of how Dubose got his name. He’s named after a secondary character in Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, a drug addict who “decided she wouldn’t leave beholden. So she kicked the habit before she died.” The discussion flows into a powerful reflection on fighting, “even though you know you’re going to lose.”

Treatment of Racism
I really appreciated Fabry’s treatment of racism. Grayson is depicted as being racist without realizing that he’s racist, and this thread is woven so beautifully into the overarching narrative, with subtle allusions at some points and strong indicators at others. I find it truly refreshing to see Christian fiction that does not shy away from this topic but grapples with it honestly.

Moments of Truth
Ted Dekker uses the Greek term “metanoia” to describe the process of ‘re-membering” oneself: encountering the truth, once again, of our identity in Christ. This is an excellent description of what happens in Saving Grayson. He’s not just remembering because life has caused him to forget. He’s re-membering because there’s a lot, in general, that he can’t recall. It is beautiful to see, in the midst of this, how he clings to the truth of the new life he has in Jesus, and there are some powerful lines and illustrations pointing to this reality.

Content (SPOILERS)
There are several rough moments with Dubose being in danger. We also see a harsh depiction of child and animal abuse, as someone relays a memory to Grayson. Racism is big, as well, and an affair plays a significant role in the story. Additionally, Grayson contemplates assisted suicide.

Recommendation Status
As mentioned above, this book is about a man with Alzheimer’s. I haven’t personally had a relationship with someone who has Alzheimer’s, so I’m not sure if this book would be more therapeutic or painful for someone with a more personal understanding of the condition.

With that said, I found this book to be well-crafted and beautifully compelling. Initially, I thought it would make a great movie, though some of the harsher moments would be very hard to watch. But, this is definitely a powerful and worthwhile story! Recommended with reader discretion, due to the heavy content concerns.

[Chris Jager · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are two parts to this book, one is the story of Grayson as he tries to make peace with his past. A past he does not remember. He wants to ask for forgiveness for things that he doesn’t know what they are. The second part is what diagnosis Grayson received. He has Alzheimer’s. It is a downward spiral into a life no one deserves.
This was a difficult book to read as I have walked that path with a loved one. What made this an interesting read was the over all arching question, “Does God forgive things you don’t remember?”
Grayson and Lotty his wife left chaos behind when they left their home town. Even though Grayson doesn’t remember it, he knows that there is something he needs to finish back at home. Will a trip home help him remember and make it right?
If you have never walked this journey, and I pray you never will, this will be a bit of an eye opening for you. The loved ones of those with dementia walk the hardest path of all. It is heart breaking and tough. But walk this path with Grayson and Lotty and you may understand someone else just a bit better.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the first time reading a book by this author. He did a wonderful job with helping the reader see life through the eyes of someone with Alzheimer's or dementia. This touched me since my mother-in-law passed away from dementia a year and a half ago. Grayson's experiences brought tears to my eyes several times. Through his journey to find the missing woman from his past, I was happy that God put the people he did to help Grayson on his journey. I enjoyed this author's writing and will look into his other books. Thanks to the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read this book for my honest review.

[Brenda S Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A heartbreaking and heartfelt story that realistically portrays an Alzheimer's journey

I chose to read this book for one reason: Alzheimer's. As my husband has early-onset Alzheimer's, I'm always curious to read others' perspectives on it, and I must say that Fabry did an admirable job of getting into the mind of some with this horrible disease. How Grayson's Alz presents itself is different from my husband's, but when it comes to dementias, no two people are alike. What's important is that this story does give a true-to-life glimpse into the mind of someone with Alzheimer's, and realistically portrays a caregiver's struggles.

Besides that aspect, I enjoyed the story and appreciated how Fabry leaked bits of backstory throughout the book, leaving some until the very end, when the puzzle pieces come together creating an evocative picture. Which, ironically, is the opposite of Alzheimer's, where the pieces of our brain puzzle disappear one by one, or often several pieces at a time, until only random, unconnected pieces of the brain remain.

[Barbara Brewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a sweet bok of how alzhemers affects someone and the people around them . You learn how to cope with someone who has it. This was approved by netgalley and the publisher for me to read and review.

[Stephanie Mathews · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a touching story, at times difficult to read because of the character having Alzheimer's, but that's what made it so good. The author captured the nitty gritty of the disease and all involved.

Thanks to netgally for the arc

[Pam Sexton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was hooked from the first page. A story of a man with early Alzheimer’s who was trying to remember pieces of his life forgotten. His past plays out like a mystery as you learn along with him what things happened to him he blocked and things he did that he knew in his heart he needed forgiveness for. The story is fictional but if you’ve known anyone with Alzheimer’s or their loved ones, you know the author has researched well and true to life. There are moments of heartache, moments of clarity, moments that make you laugh and moments that make you cry. There were times I held my breath reading this for fear of what was unfolding. That’s great writing when you can feel what you’re reading so thoroughly. Things one of Chris Fabrey’s best books in my opinion!

[Laura Leman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. This book so many unexpected turns throughout the story. Having a grandfather who had Alzheimer’s, this brought a different perspective to what he must have felt like being trapped in his own mind. It was also such an amazing reminder that not a single one of us deserves Gods unending love, yet He wants to give it to us. Very well done story 🤍

[Eileen Mathys · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grayson was a very unlikable character for most of the book. Understandably so, as he is not himself as he is succumbing to Alzheimer’s disease. Lotty (his wife) is a saint and deserves a medal.

[Sarita · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a beautiful but heavy/difficult story to read.

Readers meet Grayson at present day, where we see his challenges with Alzheimer and how it affects his current relationships. But we also meet past Grayson through his memories and road trip with a character who seems to be connected to Grayson but not definitive confirmed until the end.

The author did a great job of handling difficult topics in a sensitive way.

This was a story about consequences, regrets, reconciliations and above all forgiveness. Especially for those who remember when Grayson does not.

*I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. All opinions expressed are my own.*

[Sage · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an emotional read. It had depth and an air of mystery that kept me engaged and wanting to know more. The writing was beautiful. A wonderful insightful story told really well.

[Barbara Harper · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the novel Saving Grayson by Chris Fabry, Grayson Hayes has early-onset Alzheimer’s. He knows his diagnosis and realizes his thinking ability and memories are slipping away. But there are some wrongs he would like to right while he can–even if he doesn’t remember exactly what they are.

He has a recurring dream about a woman in his home town. She’s on a bridge and someone is trying to push her off. Grayson feels his dream is a sign that he is supposed to go back to his home town in West Virginia and either save her from her fate, or find out what happened and who is responsible so justice can be satisfied.

Gray’s longsuffering wife, Lottie, has sworn never to go back to WV. And she can’t let Gray drive alone. But a young Black man named Josh volunteers to drive Grayson from AZ to WV.

As you might imagine, Josh and Grayson have several arguments and misadventures along the way.

Grayson isn’t a very nice person. At first we assume this is because of his condition and his frustration over things like his wife trying to sell his tools and pack up for a move. Grayson is paranoid, instantly thinking people are conspiring against him instead of assuming there is a reasonable explanation for whatever is happening. Lottie knows this is part of his disease but admits she is exhausted.

Yet when Grayson finally makes it to WV, nearly everyone he meets says, “I can’t believe you would come back here.” So we wonder if maybe his abrasiveness is not completely due to his disease after all.

Yet Grayson had an encounter with God late in life that changed him, and moments of clarity sometimes come through.

Chris Fabry skillfully weaves together threads of what it’s like to lose your memories and yourself, to love someone in this situation, the value of all life, the nature of forgiveness and receiving love, a little humor, and some suspense.

I’ll admit the first few chapters were not a cozy read–it was frustrating to read of Grayson’s misunderstandings and antics. Yet I am sure it’s many times more frustrating for all involved to actually deal with these issues.

But I am so glad I kept with the book. I loved the redemptive arc the story took. There was a nice “aha” moment when I realized who one character was (I don’t want to say more and spoil the surprise for other readers). The last chapter was a nail-biter.

Some of my favorite quotes from the book:

He had clear memories of the past, but others were fuzzy, like a photo taken from a car at a high rate of speed (p. 9. Kindle version).

How many of the mean people he’d met in his life were just scared of something, a monster they couldn’t see past? (p. 55).

Can God forgive what a man can’t remember? Can a man atone for the mistakes that haunt him when his memory is in ruins? If I could go back and relive a moment or an action, I don’t know where I’d go or what I’d do to make up for my failures (p. 215).

Let people love you. Don’t push them away. Allow God to love you through those he’s put in your life. Live knowing you are loved. You don’t earn that kind of love. You just receive it every day (p. 229).

Forgiveness is not never thinking of the bad things again. Forgiveness is choosing to move past them. Or maybe better put, allowing the past to move in next door (p. 240).

I wasn’t sure what “Jerry Jenkins Presents” on the front cover referred to. That wasn’t explained inside the book. But this article shares that this book was one of three published by Focus on the Family and edited by Jenkins which deal with modern issues in a redemptive way.

Though this book would be helpful for friends and loved ones of people with dementia, I think it would be beneficial to anyone. The story itself is excellent and enjoyable. And many of us wrestle with feeling we have to earn people’s love–or God’s–instead of receiving it. Or we feel we have to atone for our sins, when Jesus is the only One who can do that.

[Josh Olds · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grayson Hayes is losing it. It being almost everything that has made his life worth living. His writing. His wit. His memory. There’s something in his past that’s troubling him. Solving that mystery and writing about it won’t undo what he’s losing but it just may ensure that his wife will be cared for once he’s gone. And so begins a wild, disorienting journey back into Grayson’s past with twists and turns you’ll never expect. Saving Grayson is a nuanced, heartfelt story of longing to atone for the past even when you can’t remember what it was.

Saving Grayson is a story of grace, forgiveness, and undeserved salvation. It’s a story of hope and despair, heartache, regret, and reconciliation. It’s not an easy story. Even at the end, the happily ever after is more than tinged with all the pain and brokenness that’s gone on before. It’s a realistic portrait of life—a broken and beautiful hallelujah—that causes us to reflect on our own lives and just perhaps reach out to those nearest to us and hold them a bit tighter.

Chris Fabry never fails to draw me into the worlds he creates. There’s a realism, an authenticity, that is often lacking in fiction—where characters can be too perfect or too stereotypical or too generic and aren’t representing themselves as a character but as a character type. The baseline plot of Saving Grayson is not anything unique: man returns to his roots to face his past. It’s the characters and their individuality and their particular situations—and how they are specific to themselves but yet general enough to be felt and understood by almost every reader—that makes Saving Grayson stand out.

In particular, I want to commend Fabry for the realistic way in which he presents dementia. Mental illness is often a poorly-done trope in media, but Fabry’s representation is hauntingly accurate while allowing room for the creative license necessary to move the plot forward. Because Saving Grayson is told through the lens of Grayson, readers both get into the mind of an individual struggling with dementia—in both their lucid and not so lucid moments—and it creates an unreliable narrator that further shrouds the plot in mystery. You understand and feel Grayson’s frustration. Dementia, Alzheimer’s, or other age-related cognitive decline is something that all of us either will be affected by or know of someone who has been affected by it. For me, Grayson was my grandfather and that drew me into the story and helped me connect with it even more.

Saving Grayson is the story of relationships. It’s life being story. This novel could have been double the length and I would not have complained. It’s engaging, thought-provoking, and could even be life-changing. Please don’t ask me to rank my favorite Chris Fabry novels, but if I had to this one would be near the top.

[Linda Beilstein · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read through NetGalley. This was a very interesting book but a very hard one to read if you have ever walked a dementia journey with a loved one. My mother suffered from dementia for the last 7 to 10 years of her life. It's hard to say for sure how many years because dementia comes on you gradually until it takes a "growth spurt" and becomes obvious enough to be recognized for what it is and not just normal forgetfulness that comes with aging. This book is written from the perspective of the person with Alzheimers and that's what made it so hard to read. Because while being the caregiver for that person is hard, actually being that person is incredibly harder. If you want to get somewhat of a feel of what it must be like to have some form of dementia and know it but have to figure out how to deal with it, I would highly recommend this book.

Amazon description: Grayson Hayes doesn’t remember things as well as he used to, but he’s sure his time is running out. Diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s, he realizes he has a small window of time left to right a terrible injustice―he just can’t remember what it is.

Convinced of the importance of his mission, he embarks on a journey to the small West Virginia town of his childhood hoping he can put together the fractured pieces of his memory and set things right. But as the past becomes more clear, he wonders if God forgives the sins he can’t remember.

A thought-provoking story with challenging themes, this book deals with issues like
what it’s like to care for a loved one with memory loss,
how to live when you feel like you’re losing yourself,
what it is that gives value to a human life, and
the eternal power of forgiveness and second chances.
Saving Grayson is a wrenching yet hopeful story of a journey to right unknown wrongs and of holding on to what you know even when it feels like everything is slipping away.

[Nora St Laurent · Rating 4 out of 5]

Readers first encounter Grayson, who can't remember why he's sitting in his garage with a nail gun in his hand and wearing boxer shorts. The novel depicts the struggle for Grayson, his wife, and others who love him in an effort to capture the stress of loving someone who is slipping away.

This gripping, heartbreaking novel explores dementia and Grayson’s last-ditch effort to solve a puzzle. I enjoyed how the author crafted a compelling narrative that compels readers to accompany Grayson as he investigates a murder and learns the truth about his own past. In an effort to remember the truth, Grayson is searching for it and is trying to capture it as quickly as possible in an attempt to remember it. Being a writer, he is disturbed that words aren’t coming to him as easily as they used to. This creates a compelling storyline. I was drawn to this story because it’s not your usual tale on this topic.

I liked what the author said about his book, “My hope is that the reader will see their own life through this story and, instead of avoiding pain, will embrace pain as much as possible to allow God access with his transforming power.”

This is an engaging novel that deals with dementia, facing your fears and has a mystery to solve. Grayson is a writer and is exasperated by the fact words don’t flow through him like they used to. This aspect of the story drew me in.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I requested and received a copy of this book by the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins!
The Book Club Network blog https://psalm516.blogspot.com/

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story was unique in the way it presented some universal spiritual truths. The focal point of the story was to illustrate the tragic loss of memory that happens when someone has Alzheimer's disease. At times you were in the head of the character who fixated on things and then forgot why it was important to him. (Ironically, he never forgot his dog or his dog's name, but forgot some siblings and friends from his youth.) My experience with people who have dementia has been that their past memories of people and situations is firmly locked in their memory, but it's the current people and experiences and their short-term memory that slips away. But every situation and person with dementia is unique, so it's unfair to generalize these things.

It's sad when someone you love starts to forget their experiences, both past and present. This character, Grayson, forgot some hurtful things that he'd done in the past that caused a number of people to struggle with forgiving him. God used Grayson's memory loss to cause those who once harbored bitterness towards Gray to let it go out of compassion for the shell of a man he was becoming. If he couldn't remember what he'd done, he wouldn't be able to apologize, so they had to work through their pain without ever getting an "I'm sorry" from him. This story slipped some difficult situations into the storyline that are common even among people of faith. People who know that Christ forgave them, so they should forgive others in return. Easier said than done for some folks. Saving Grayson is an illustration of how God can use an imperfect vessel for his ultimate purpose - which is always one of healing and restoration.

[Jessica Higgins · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was nothing like what I expected and hit super close to home with the subject matter.

Grayson Hayes has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and it is quickly taking over his life and that of his family. His wife is trying his best to help him, but it is getting harder and harder. Grayson knows there is something he needs to do back in his hometown but can’t remember what it is. His wife gets him a helper to drive him back home and help him along the way. But with each passing mile, his confusion and frustration make the trip more difficult.

I guess I wasn’t expecting the subject matter to be so difficult, I have a family member that is starting to show signs of memory issues and that made it harder to read. Even with that, the story was well written and intriguing. The way Fabry tied in all the characters together with the missing memories was really sweet. I hated to see Grayson struggling with remembering things and his wife worrying about him, but the way Fabry wrote it all made it so real, like I was living it with them. The writing was solid, and the storyline original compared to so many I have read this year. I would recommend this to readers that are looking for a heartwarming story but might be hard to take at times if they are dealing with this in their own lives.

I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

[Aurelia Mast-glick · Rating 4 out of 5]

I will read any book by Chris Fabry and this one fit his style well, I would say. The bulk of the story takes place in West Virginia. Grayson travels there from Arizona because of a dream he has had. He feels the need to rescue a lady, but since he has been afflicted with early onset Alzheimer's, he really can't remember much about anything.
The story is unique because of Grayson, the main character, having dementia. And since most of the story is told from his viewpoint, it can be hard to follow at times because you aren't sure what is real and what he is trying to figure out. The story and details that happened up to the current time of the story are very carefully and slowed dispensed throughout the book. And yet, the writing pulls you along and makes you keep reading to see what really did happen.
And then the end of the book comes and you still are not sure about all of the details. It leaves you hanging, but it also leaves you with lots of food for thought about how and why some of the things happened. There are certain things that happened in the book that I cannot recommend such as divorce and remarriage, but overall the book was good. I wouldn't say it was one of my favorites by Christ, but it still rank it as a very good one.
I received this book from NetGalley in return for writing a review. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions are my own.

[Edward Arrington · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read books before in which one of the characters had Alzheimer’s, but this is a first. The main character is an Alzheimer’s patient, and much of the story is written from his perspective. The story is spellbinding at times and almost frightening on the next page. I have known people with the disease but never spent enough time around them to see first-hand how the disease affects the one with it. I have only heard what it was like from other family members. I got a deeper appreciation for the caregivers and a greater compassion for the patients through this story. Grayson is an author who is gradually slipping away from his wife and reality. He writes everything in his yellow legal pad that he keeps with him at all times. He has decided that he needs to go back home to West Virginia one last time to find out what keeps calling him back and to make sure his wife is taken care of when he is gone. The entire trip holds one surprise after the other, but probably more for the reader than for Grayson. He can get himself into a pickle, somehow get bailed out, and forget it in a very short time. If only some of the other characters could forget as easily, his wife would have been more comfortable. So, get the book, read it, and learn from it.

[Terri Gillespie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chris Fabry’s novels are always touching and thought-provoking. In his latest SAVING GRAYSON, he has delved into new territory that is as rough and raw as the journey the protagonist, Grayson embarks upon.

Grayson has Alzheimer's. And most of the book is in his point of view, which, honestly, was difficult to read, at first. Grayson’s former brilliance is evident even as the disease takes its course, but that brilliance muddies his rational thought, which sends him on a bizarre and dangerous journey. A journey to solve a series of mysteries from a dream. Grayson is accompanied by a mysterious young man he doesn’t know.

Much of this story takes tangents, but each of the seemingly random detours has purpose. Fabry has written an empathetic voyage into the mind of a person with Alzheimer as he slips into the void of dementia, but it is so much more complex than that. Without sounding like a cop out, to explain would only ruin the story for the reader—and I highly recommend that this book be read.

Reminiscent of Flowers for Algernon, SAVING GRAYSON is one of the most courageous books I’ve read in a long time.

An ARC was provided by the publisher for my honest review.

[Eunice Chin · Rating 5 out of 5]

The bittersweet nightmare of caring for a loved one diagnosed with Alzheimer's is succinctly and precisely unfolded in this tender, heartwarming, yet heartbreaking story of Grayson Hayes (aka Gray), his caregiver wife, Lottie, of Josh, Pooch, Sarah, Sam and others who went through the dementia journey with Gray.

Any caregiver will KNOW Chris Fabry, the author of this narrative, is spot on with all the 'raw footage' of life living with a loved one striken with Alzheimers. I believe he truly brings out the moments where the carers, family, and friends will not know whether to laugh or to cry. I see this book as a precious offering and dedication to all families who have gone through just such a journey. Thank you Chris Fabry, you bring grateful tears to my eyes for having told it like it is.

5 Stars from me.

~Eunice C., Reviewer/Blogger~

March 2023

Disclaimer: This is my honest opinion based on the complimentary review copy sent by NetGalley and the publisher.

[Steph · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading this book was quite bittersweet for me as I know firsthand what it's like to be a caretaker of a loved one who's been diagnosed with Dementia/Alzheimer's. It is a challenging aspect day to day, hour to hour, minute to minute, etc. That being said, while I was reading this book, it brought back some happy and not so happy memories to me of my own experiences with my dad. Dealing with the strong emotions that run through you when you have to watch your loved one doing something that they were once great at, but now they're struggling to cope with on a daily basis. All I can say is that it's hard to watch, but you do it because you love and want the best for them.

This book is an inspirational read and quite an eye-opener to those struggling with this disease. This disease can be crippling for some and others that aren't so sure if they're doing the right thing by being a caregiver when their own loved one is diagnosed with it. This was my first book by this author, but it won't be my last!

[Melanie Rigney · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novel had endorsements from a number of authors I love, so I really was looking forward to reading it.

And now that I’m done… a conditional “read” recommendation from me.

The protagonist, Grayson Hayes, is a writer of some fame. He suffers from the early stages of Alzheimer’s, and he and his wife are in the process of preparing to move, where isn’t exactly said in the beginning. But he has a recurring dream of a woman and a bridge, and embarks on a journey back to his native West Virginia with his dog and someone his wife and doctor know.

The writing is beautiful, and that’s what kept me going. Gray wasn’t a particularly likeable or interesting character in the beginning, but he grew on me. Part of his charm came from being such an unreliable narrator, but it slowed forward movement in the story. For me, the stories of Gray and his wife’s past romances in West Virginia and the consequences of their actions were a bit contrived and unfolded too late in the novel.

But again, the writing is lovely and makes the book worth a read.

[Kristie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Grayson Hayes is suffering from early onset Alzheimers and, although we do not know his exact age, he's not an old man. His wife, Lotty, agrees to let Grayson pursue a mystery across the country on the condition that he take a companion, who is a young black man named Josh Chambers. We do not know much about Grayson's mystery or Josh's background and connection to him, but we follow them on this road trip full of interesting encounters. Gray's memory continues to slip, his frustration increases, and the stakes get higher. The writing is excellent, but the story is very tense (in my opinion.) Gray makes a lot of racial remarks to Josh (who bears them remarkably well,) and there are child and animal abuse triggers (told as memories.) The ending is satisfying, despite Gray's inevitable mental deterioration, but I found myself needing breaks during my read. 3 stars

My thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy. Available Novermber 7, 2023.

[Marnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book gives a unique perspective on the progress of Alzheimer's disease on the person. Grayson, an author, is haunted by unfinished memories. He wants to go back to his hometown in West Virginia and sort things out so he can finish the story. To start each day, he depends on a yellow legal pad where he makes his notes to get his day started. I don't know if that works for Alzheimer's patients, but I thought it was brilliant. He has 8-10 things to remind himself of each morning such as his name, a little about his wife, and that he has Alzheimer's.

Lottie, his wife, arranges for Josh to help Grayson make the trip to West Virginia. They haven't gone back there in years. The reasons for the separation become clear through the story. There are several threads that need to be cleared up to set Grayson at ease. He just doesn't remember what they are, but things were left undone when he and Lottie moved from West Virginia.

[Emma Filbrun · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a fascinating glimpse into the inner workings of a mind with Alzheimers. I appreciated seeing that, and gained sympathy with those who care for them. Watching how God can work in people’s lives was inspiring, and I loved the ending. I liked seeing how people worked together to care for Grayson as he forgot more and more things. I also liked the length of this book; I was sucked into the story and had a hard time putting it down, but it was short enough that it didn’t interfere with my daily life and obligations too much!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley, and these are my honest thoughts about it.

[Karen Britton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This unique look into the life of an Altheimer's patient is excellently written. As I was trying to explain the plot for my husband, it struck me how convoluted it was. There were lots of surprises along the way. I found myself drawn to Grayson's character due to his refreshing honesty, but also repelled by some of his life choices. The author skillfully unwraps the story and keeps you reading by withholding information about Grayson's life. Even though it deals with a sad situation, there was redemption and reconciliation by the time the book concluded. This is definitely worth a read!

[Karen Cerny · Rating 5 out of 5]

A powerful story of compassion, perseverance, and love. Chris Fabry has done it again with this story about Grayson, struggling against dementia, who embarks on a journey to discover the answers to nagging dreams and bits of remembered moments. The family and friends who help along the journey are so real to life you feel you know them. As is Grayson. As usual, Mr. Fabry weaves a story that delivers inspiration, living characters, and twists and turns to the very last chapter. Highly recommend this book.

[Carol Ackerman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought the author did a great job showing what goes on in the mind of a person with dementia/Alzheimer's. At times Grayson was totally lucid then in a moment he was confused and forgetful.
Grayson knows he needs to do something, he's just not sure what that is. So he goes back to where he grew up looking for answers. What he finds there was nothing like he expected.
I did not realize until I finished the book that the author of this book was also the author of the movie "The War Room" which I thoroughly enjoyed.