Last Updated on December 9, 2022 by ellen
If you’re like me, you have fond memories of listening to your father or grandfather recount stories of their youth or their time in the armed forces. We spent the summers at my grandparent’s house, and I loved listening to the stories my grandparents told including stories about things that happened 
during the war.
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Driving Grandpa by John Redstand
What do you get when you combine a hard-nosed WWII vet, a crazy stray dog, a pickup, and a string of foreclosed houses? The answer is a story that will playfully slam your nose against the proverbial passenger-side window at every unexpected turn. In this fictionalized memoir, author John Redstand takes readers on a rollicking tour of the last few months of his grandfather’s life. It’s an adventure you don’t want to miss.
A contract worker hired to clean out abandoned properties during the housing market crash of 2008, the narrator happily adopts double duty as chauffeur for Grandpa, who (despite his ornery protestations) is not allowed to drive anymore. These two simple tasks collide in a perfect storm of one humorous calamity after another.
My thoughts:
John and his grandfather have a special bond that makes the time they spend together heartwarming. John’s grandfather is alone after his wife passed away. Two of his sons want him to move into a senior apartment complex but he wants to stay in his own home. Because he can’t drive any longer, John stops by every day to visit and to take him places. During their time together, John’s grandfather shares stories from when he was younger including the time he served in WWII.
If that’s all there was to the book it would be an interesting read. However, the author narrates this story in a way that makes you feel like you’re sitting at the kitchen table listening to these stories yourself. Grandpa’s ornery personality reminded me of several of my older relatives and the playful bond between John and his grandfather made this story truly special. I honestly didn’t want the story to end. If you’re looking for a lighthearted story that will bring back fond memories, Driving Grandpa is definitely it.
Ellen is a mom of a 25-year-old son and 30-year-old daughter. She is Grandma to one adorable toddler. In what little spare time she has, she loves to read, watch movies, and check out the latest toys and games.