The Last Day of Petter Grenager

About the Book

Petter Grenager is an anti-hero in the tradition of Dostoevsky's "Ridiculous Man," an existential being who decides to do away with himself for "lack of drama," for having led a trivial life, for "no reasons worthy of the act." "Mediocrity runs in our family," he writes, "and I'm no exception."

Before he ends his ridiculous life, however, he wants one last day of flamboyant pleasure. He cashes in his pension and all his savings for a glorious final fling. But is a ridiculous mediocrity capable of experiencing flamboyant pleasure? Must he elevate his spirit in some way to live his last day to the fullest and if he does, would he no longer be ridiculous, and no longer need to end his life?

The meaninglessness of pleasure begins to infiltrate his terminal celebration of sex, food, drugs, high living and petty revenge. As the day progresses, his fling plays out in unexpected ways, both comic and tragic, with dark twists and moral absurdities that give him both a reason to live and a reason to die. The Last Day of Petter Grenager (Exhibit A) is both silly and serious, the journal of an absurd, despicable, trivial, funny and thoroughly engaging human being.

About the Author

James Lawson has written 11 novels, including The Fanatic and The Copley Chronicles, numerous screenplays, plays, the award-winning TV documentary, Frederick Law Olmsted, and the original trailer for the movie, Star Wars, among other works. He lives in New York City with his wife, Katharine, a biopsychologist and associate professor of pediatrics. They have two children, Victoria and Nicholas, both graduate students.