Shards

Love is the last thing to be forgotten.

By: Gregory A. Kompes

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Paperback | 8 September 2026

At a Glance

Paperback
238 Pages

Dimensions(cm)
20.32 x 12.7 x 1.37

Paperback

RRP $29.69

$27.75

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Allister and Gede's retirement plan: savor their remaining years on the pond behind their home and enjoy the visiting birds and butterflies while drinking tea in Gede's garden. Together they experience their final challenge-Allister's journey into dementia, where the fragments of a life become a masterpiece of love.

In the quiet of their Georgia garden, Allister remembers his life-a career teaching literature at Columbia, decades together with Gede in New York City, traveling the world, to Rome, to Venice, to London, and so many places with lifelong dear friends-the only way he can: in fragments.

As Allister's lucid moments give way to those of confusion and loss, decimating a lifetime of memories, Gede transforms from lover and husband to witness and caregiver. Through this last passage of their life together, both men discover an even deeper meaning of love.

Allister's final journey leaves the reader glad to have known Allister and Gede. This gentle story promises wisdom at the center of extreme pain. It paints a portrait of a man who loved and was loved by the people in his life. Love being the last thing to be forgotten.

Industry Reviews

Shards, asks what matters when memory is gone but life goes on: love.-Karen Lee Boren, author of the books Ways Home, Secret Waltz, Mother Tongue, and Girls in Peril

"Tender and deeply moving, it explores the fragile balance between holding on and letting go ..."-Stella Marie Alden, author of the Amazon Bestseller Suds and Sam

"... a beautifully rendered love story."-Paul Atreides, award winning author and playwright.

"A beautifully written homage to love, memory, and friendship ..."-Randall Platt, author of The Girl Who Wouldn't Die

"Beautiful fragments of a life well lived ...Bittersweet, lyrical, and poignant ..."-Brandi Megan Granett, author of Triple Love Score and Everglade

"... explores sharp, deeply-touching slivers of life through Allister's blurring lens."-Tonya Todd, Author of 52 Love: Weekly Love Lessons Bite-Sized Bits

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Shards

Love is the last thing to be forgotten.

At a Glance

Paperback

Industry Reviews

Shipping

How to return your order

Defective items

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