
As Joe writes about Carl's life, especially Carl's valor in Vietnam, he cannot reconcile the heroism of the soldier with the despicable acts of the convict. With only a few months to live, he has been medically paroled to a nursing home, after spending thirty years in prison for the crimes of rape and murder. Carl is a dying Vietnam veteran-and a convicted murderer.

There he meets Carl Iverson, and soon nothing in Joe's life is ever the same. With deadlines looming, Joe heads to a nearby nursing home to find a willing subject.

His task is to interview a stranger and write a brief biography of the person. A USA Today bestseller and book club favorite!Ĭollege student Joe Talbert has the modest goal of completing a writing assignment for an English class.
