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The Last Adventure of Napoleon Sunshine
A grandfather who learns to let go.
A grandson who learns to love.
Eighty-five years old, a rebel, a retired boxer, Napoleon Sunshine is unlike other grandparents.
His ten-year-old grandson, Leonard, is unlike the other boys in his class.
Together they are unstoppable. Or so they think.
From Paris to the coast of Normandy, Napoleon and Leonard run away to seek an adventure: they visit the seaside, adopt a dog and plot to kidnap a famous radio presenter. But, really, they are trying to save Napoleon from spending his final days in a retirement home.
The Last Adventure of Napoleon Sunshine is a heart-warming tale about new beginnings and the importance of family, perfect for fans of A Man Called Ove, The Keeper of Lost Things and The Little Paris Bookshop.
A grandson who learns to love.
Eighty-five years old, a rebel, a retired boxer, Napoleon Sunshine is unlike other grandparents.
His ten-year-old grandson, Leonard, is unlike the other boys in his class.
Together they are unstoppable. Or so they think.
From Paris to the coast of Normandy, Napoleon and Leonard run away to seek an adventure: they visit the seaside, adopt a dog and plot to kidnap a famous radio presenter. But, really, they are trying to save Napoleon from spending his final days in a retirement home.
The Last Adventure of Napoleon Sunshine is a heart-warming tale about new beginnings and the importance of family, perfect for fans of A Man Called Ove, The Keeper of Lost Things and The Little Paris Bookshop.
191 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
December 20, 2020
For my full review, visit me at https://mrsbrownsbooks.wordpress.com/...
I am pole-axed by this book. I was expecting a warm, sunny story – especially if covers are anything to go by. However, Napoleon is a not very likeable character and I did not find the family connections very strong at all. Furthermore, the ageing Napoleon is obviously poorly and it was a decline I was not comfortable reading about.
For my full review, visit me at https://mrsbrownsbooks.wordpress.com/...
I am pole-axed by this book. I was expecting a warm, sunny story – especially if covers are anything to go by. However, Napoleon is a not very likeable character and I did not find the family connections very strong at all. Furthermore, the ageing Napoleon is obviously poorly and it was a decline I was not comfortable reading about.
For my full review, visit me at https://mrsbrownsbooks.wordpress.com/...
October 27, 2019
A strange end of life tale where an 85 year old French man attempts to go out with a bang. This is an English translation so as often happens I’m left wondering if something was lost in the translation or was it a particular brand of French humour and irony that missed the mark for me. The characters were hard to fathom and while I got the whole “fighting death like a boxer” analogy it was all a bit too confusing and uninteresting.
October 11, 2019
This is quite a difficult book to review... it's funny and heart warming in parts but devastatingly sad in others and leaves the reader a bit bereft... it starts when 85 year old Napoleon Sunshine decides to divorce the love of his life, Josephine, as he wants a fresh start and embarks on some hair brained schemes with his grandson, Leonard, in tow. We get to see Josephine and what happens to her, Leonard and his school friend and also Leonard's parents also have their own tales to tell... I found it really difficult to connect to these characters. I don't know whether we just don't see enough of them or that they have the tendency, as many families do, of not really talking about what is going on so the reader can't really understand how they feel. Napoleon was a former boxer so there is a lot of fighting talk, battle analogies and punching people.... of course the final fight is the one that none of us can escape from.... time.
The theme of time, its passing and how we don't really notice it until we see it in photographs is important but I also found it quite depressing. The loss of memories - even about really important things is sad but true. As Napoleons memory fades and his enemy gathers pace he gets into a whole load of scrapes for his ever suffering son to resolve and Leonard standing by in concern.
Although it's intended to be humourous, I just found it sad.... it's hard to watch the impact of illness and the loss if a persons memories and essence without it being anything other than sad. I felt sorry for Leonard - primary school age having to worry about his grandad and him seeing the impact on his parents. Maybe this all just hits a bit too close to home for me but I can't say I enjoyed it. It's well written, the style is good but the theme is not one I can consider entertainment. It's quite a difficult and emotional read which reflects the skill of the author but I'm not sure who the audience is meant to be.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The theme of time, its passing and how we don't really notice it until we see it in photographs is important but I also found it quite depressing. The loss of memories - even about really important things is sad but true. As Napoleons memory fades and his enemy gathers pace he gets into a whole load of scrapes for his ever suffering son to resolve and Leonard standing by in concern.
Although it's intended to be humourous, I just found it sad.... it's hard to watch the impact of illness and the loss if a persons memories and essence without it being anything other than sad. I felt sorry for Leonard - primary school age having to worry about his grandad and him seeing the impact on his parents. Maybe this all just hits a bit too close to home for me but I can't say I enjoyed it. It's well written, the style is good but the theme is not one I can consider entertainment. It's quite a difficult and emotional read which reflects the skill of the author but I'm not sure who the audience is meant to be.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
July 2, 2019
So currently I am a flailing blubbering mess with too many feels and an inability to speak in cohesive sentences.
This book was so fricking amazing 😭. At first I was thinking 'where is this going?' but then old age starts to set in and it gets you so much in the feels.
When I got this book, I saw the cover and thought how amazing it was. But now I understand that the cover does even remotely compare to the beauty that is this novel.
So much so, I am currently sitting in my parents spare room, silently crying and reflecting. I have already stormed down the hallway and thrust it at my mother who was about to go to sleep.
If there has ever been a doubt about whether you need this, i'm making your decisions for you. Don't procrastinate any longer, walk, nay RUN, in to your local bookstore and purchase it posthaste.
This book was so fricking amazing 😭. At first I was thinking 'where is this going?' but then old age starts to set in and it gets you so much in the feels.
When I got this book, I saw the cover and thought how amazing it was. But now I understand that the cover does even remotely compare to the beauty that is this novel.
So much so, I am currently sitting in my parents spare room, silently crying and reflecting. I have already stormed down the hallway and thrust it at my mother who was about to go to sleep.
If there has ever been a doubt about whether you need this, i'm making your decisions for you. Don't procrastinate any longer, walk, nay RUN, in to your local bookstore and purchase it posthaste.
April 18, 2020
Napoleon decides to divorce his wife of many years to start a new life at the grand age of 85. She agrees and goes off to the South of France and he then begins his new life with the aid of his grandson. It's an odd sort of ook as Napoleon is obviously going through dementia as he begins tasks and then they kind of fall apart. It is at times amusing but in a sort of bittersweet way.
It is about family and relationships, disappointing your parents, letting people down while also showing how vital family is and the need for the support of each other.
I did quite enjoy this and it reminded me of 'A Man called Ove' and 'The pilgrimage of Harold Fry' but this had darker undertones in many ways as Napoleon was obviously struggling with dementia and also not an easy person to deal with. I felt very sorry for Josaphine too being tossed away after all those years.
It is about family and relationships, disappointing your parents, letting people down while also showing how vital family is and the need for the support of each other.
I did quite enjoy this and it reminded me of 'A Man called Ove' and 'The pilgrimage of Harold Fry' but this had darker undertones in many ways as Napoleon was obviously struggling with dementia and also not an easy person to deal with. I felt very sorry for Josaphine too being tossed away after all those years.
July 9, 2025
Ugghh! Not sure I would recommend this book. It is actually just sad. I found the characters and the story unrealistic at times but finished the book . The only message for me was related to being a good fun loving grandparent. 2.5/5
March 11, 2021
I adored this book, told through the eyes of grandson Leonard. It's spiky and difficult at times but it is dealing with the decline of Napoleon as he succumbs to dementia. So much of the text is true to life, dementia can change people's personalities and make them irascible, so sad to see other reviewers didn't understand this and said he was not a likeable character. I thought he was great, funny and entertaining.
There's a twist at the end too.
I loved it, one of the best books I've read in ages.
There's a twist at the end too.
I loved it, one of the best books I've read in ages.
July 23, 2019
4.5 Stars
An utterly delightful read! This book is both humorous and heartwarming whilst addressing a heavy topic in an upbeat way. You will laugh out loud many times! This piece of literature is food for the soul.
An utterly delightful read! This book is both humorous and heartwarming whilst addressing a heavy topic in an upbeat way. You will laugh out loud many times! This piece of literature is food for the soul.
October 17, 2021
3.5 stars
Entertaining story about the relationship between a 10 year-old-boy and his boisterous and crusty grandfather.
Napoleon Sunshine, 85, has rather abruptly ended his marriage to wife Josephine by divorcing her and stating he wants to start a new life. His actions seems callous at first, but we get an idea why he did what he did later in the book. He embarks with grandson Leonard and dog Endov to a series of new adventures, pranks ( some which don't work out) and concurrently, reminisces about his earlier life, as a boxer, and as cab driver when he first met his wife. Napoleon isn't close to his son Samuel and puts all his attention and devotion to young Leonard instead. He wants to make the most of life with the time he has left.
An entertaining story, about family relationships, and coping with the cognitive decline that often arrives in advancing age. Napoleon isn't without flaws, and some readers may have some sympathy for wife Josephine and the long suffering son whom Napoleon has treated somewhat shabbily. I didn't think that Leonard was totally believable as a boy of ten - he would often talk and act as someone a few years older. "Very Machiavellian, Dad", said the boy on one page. Do ten year old boys ever say things like that?
I wasn't expecting the world from this book, and hoped it wouldn't get too shmaltzy, and I don't think that it did. I also enjoyed it. A few moments near the end stretched credibility, but no matter, it's still good as an entertainment.
Entertaining story about the relationship between a 10 year-old-boy and his boisterous and crusty grandfather.
Napoleon Sunshine, 85, has rather abruptly ended his marriage to wife Josephine by divorcing her and stating he wants to start a new life. His actions seems callous at first, but we get an idea why he did what he did later in the book. He embarks with grandson Leonard and dog Endov to a series of new adventures, pranks ( some which don't work out) and concurrently, reminisces about his earlier life, as a boxer, and as cab driver when he first met his wife. Napoleon isn't close to his son Samuel and puts all his attention and devotion to young Leonard instead. He wants to make the most of life with the time he has left.
An entertaining story, about family relationships, and coping with the cognitive decline that often arrives in advancing age. Napoleon isn't without flaws, and some readers may have some sympathy for wife Josephine and the long suffering son whom Napoleon has treated somewhat shabbily. I didn't think that Leonard was totally believable as a boy of ten - he would often talk and act as someone a few years older. "Very Machiavellian, Dad", said the boy on one page. Do ten year old boys ever say things like that?
I wasn't expecting the world from this book, and hoped it wouldn't get too shmaltzy, and I don't think that it did. I also enjoyed it. A few moments near the end stretched credibility, but no matter, it's still good as an entertainment.
October 20, 2023
Told in the narrative of a 10-year-old boy, The Last Adventure of Napoleon Sunshine is an enjoyable & heart-warming story about family, love and friendship.
Napoleon, the boy's grandpa (or 'Emperor'), is a 85-year-old retired boxer who had recently divorced his wife. He decided on living the rest of his single life rebelliously against his old age and his uptight son.
The relationship Leonard, the boy, have with his grandpa is a special one and although his father is always at odds with Napoleon, Leonard gets along with his grandpa just fine.
This book's finale was predictable from the start but the journey of reading it was delightful. For those who share that same precious bond with their grandparent would definitely feel warm and nostalgic on the inside upon reading this.
On another note, the hidden affection between the aging couple (or ex-couple), Napoleon & Josephine, stirred my inner (melodramatic) heartstrings. Without this aspect of the story, this book would have been a cliche.
This is the first book of the year that made me tear up. 😭
Napoleon, the boy's grandpa (or 'Emperor'), is a 85-year-old retired boxer who had recently divorced his wife. He decided on living the rest of his single life rebelliously against his old age and his uptight son.
The relationship Leonard, the boy, have with his grandpa is a special one and although his father is always at odds with Napoleon, Leonard gets along with his grandpa just fine.
This book's finale was predictable from the start but the journey of reading it was delightful. For those who share that same precious bond with their grandparent would definitely feel warm and nostalgic on the inside upon reading this.
On another note, the hidden affection between the aging couple (or ex-couple), Napoleon & Josephine, stirred my inner (melodramatic) heartstrings. Without this aspect of the story, this book would have been a cliche.
This is the first book of the year that made me tear up. 😭
October 23, 2019
Eighty-five year-old Napoleon Sunshine is someone you can’t help liking just a bit, even though he is self-opinionated and anarchic. Rules aren’t for him and he involves his ten year-old grandson Leonard in his last adventure. It begins with him divorcing his wife (Josephine; had to be, didn’t it?) and throwing her out of the marital home. This bit, stated quite baldly at the beginning, and without much explanation, didn’t work for me. We discover why, but I don’t believe any woman would go along with it.
The unfolding story, as Napoleon falls prey to the ravages of time, is an intriguing, funny and eventually rather sad one. I enjoyed going along for the ride even though I felt some of it was a stretch too far. A good read.
I received a review copy of this book from Amazon Vine.
The unfolding story, as Napoleon falls prey to the ravages of time, is an intriguing, funny and eventually rather sad one. I enjoyed going along for the ride even though I felt some of it was a stretch too far. A good read.
I received a review copy of this book from Amazon Vine.
October 15, 2021
What a brilliant book with so much emotion, laughter, sadness all in one.
This book portrays grandpa Napoleon as seen by his 8 year grandson, if I recall correctly. Napoleon isn't on good terms with his son who he ridicules and shames in public. Yet his son "saves" his father from his own mischiefs, whether he's caught stranded in his car trunk or making a mess at the nursing home. It seems there's a reversal of roles. The father Napoleon is the teenager and his son is the father.
This book is about a man who lives fully, so passionately until the last breath and how the other characters change and grow throughout the book.
I loved this book. So unique.
This book portrays grandpa Napoleon as seen by his 8 year grandson, if I recall correctly. Napoleon isn't on good terms with his son who he ridicules and shames in public. Yet his son "saves" his father from his own mischiefs, whether he's caught stranded in his car trunk or making a mess at the nursing home. It seems there's a reversal of roles. The father Napoleon is the teenager and his son is the father.
This book is about a man who lives fully, so passionately until the last breath and how the other characters change and grow throughout the book.
I loved this book. So unique.
January 22, 2020
At 85 Napoleon decides to get a new lease on life by divorcing his wife. He spends his time reliving his glory days and creating a fantasy world for his 10 year old grandson. I struggled with the characters for 75% of the book as they were so self-consumed, but I am glad I finished, as the resolution was beautiful.
October 28, 2019
I totally couldn’t connect with Napoleon or his family.
Other books in the same genre have been really charming.
I am wondering if it is the translation that has lost the feeling at the heart of the book.
I took an age to finish it as it just didn’t grab me.
Other books in the same genre have been really charming.
I am wondering if it is the translation that has lost the feeling at the heart of the book.
I took an age to finish it as it just didn’t grab me.
November 16, 2022
A heartfelt thank you to Barry Lillie for lending me this book. The story of a grandfather who learns to let go and a grandson who learns to love is a delightful read from start to finish and the characters will stay with me for a long time. Thoroughly recommended.
June 27, 2019
Delightful from beginning to end....a wonderful tale about growing up and growing old told with great warmth and humour.
December 2, 2019
not a bad read. to be honest my expectations were not too high, I expected reasonable... but it exceeded them. I required tissues at the end
February 27, 2021
Más una lectura juvenil, el concepto de la trama está bien pero la lectura se hace un poco densa pienso que rellena mucho con diálogos innecesarios
May 16, 2022
A simple story with a deep meaning about generational family relationships and I didn't anticipate the ending. A light and charming read.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews