“The book explores themes of forgiveness, and second chances. That no matter how grim life gets, there is always a way forward.”

– Stewart Hoffman

Just three years ago, Stewart F. Hoffman was a new author, introducing us to the gassy and powerful friends, Alex and Ian, in his debut sci-fi children’s book series, “The Bug Boys.” In our first interview, when asked what genre we’d see from him in the future, Stewart told us he may “try something else”. That something else is his newly-published, thrilling adult novel, “George Pringate’s Last Hurrah.”

Described by Stewart as a “speculative afterlife dramedy for adults,” “George Pringate’s Last Hurrah” is easily a page-turner with twists and shifts that will stir up a myriad of emotions. The title character is dead and seeks heaven, but dismally discovers he is in limbo of sorts, as he confronts his past, his demons, and himself.

“George Pringate’s Last Hurrah” is currently a 5-star rated book on Amazon, with six reviews, and nearly five stars on Goodreads, with six reviews also. What do the reviews all have in common? The readers loved it, enjoyed the concept and were moved to brood over their own lives.

In this interview, we learn what inspired Stewart to pen this imaginative tale, who he’d like to meet in the afterlife, and who would play George Pringate in a movie.

SolShock: How did “George Pringate’s Last Hurrah” come about? What other authors or novels inspired you to write this type of story?

Stewart: This story started out as a screenplay about twenty years ago. I was in a reflective frame of mind, looking at my life, and not liking the fact that I hadn’t done anything of substance with it. Then I wondered, “What if I died right now? Having accomplished nothing!” The original screenplay explored this purely as an afterlife comedy about a lifeless soul being tested before he was granted access to Heaven. The book goes further and explores this from the perspective of a man who-because of a series of disastrous events in his life-has taken to drinking to self-medicate his problems with anxiety and depression. Sound’s grim doesn’t it? But I still try to inject humor into the story.

SolShock: What genre do you consider it?

Stewart: This would fall under ‘speculative fiction’ or ‘contemporary fantasy.’

SolShock: Who is your target audience of readers?

Stewart: Well, this isn’t for kids that’s for sure! I’d say men and women over thirty. People who have reached that certain age when they start to look back more and evaluate, and maybe not like what they see.

SolShock: Are there elements from your real life in this book?

Stewart: There are some exaggerated versions of events in my life in this book. In particular, the test drive and Yoga class are based on real events. I’ve also had my issues with anxiety that I try to explore in this story.

SolShock: How hard is it to come up with the names for your characters and do you have a process?

Stewart: It’s not hard. I usually look at my bookshelf and make combinations out of the author’s names. George Pringate, however, was completely new. 

SolShock: Is “George Pringate’s Last Hurrah” an opportunity for us to examine our lives?

Stewart: Maybe. If someone has taken to self-medicating their problems away. This story, however, is meant to be a light, fun, read that only touches on these issues, rather than a weighty examination of anxiety, depression, and substance abuse. I write the kind of books I want to read.

SolShock: How important are second chances to you?

Stewart: They are very important. I’d hate to live in a world where you’re not allowed to learn from your mistakes.

SolShock: Who would you like to hang out with in the afterlife?

Stewart: The first person that popped into my head was Terry Pratchett. He co-wrote the book that got me into reading, “Good Omens”, and I’ve read all his Discworld fantasy stories. I’d love to chat with him about his process. His Discworld books are superb, and he was really good at making connections between his fantastical worlds and our everyday lives. There was magic in his words that really touched my soul. I’ve never experienced that with any other author.

SolShock: OK, same question as before. Rate George Pringate’s Last Hurrah the movie as Talkie Gazette would and tell us who stars in the movie.

Stewart: Of course this would be a full-on 5-star review, a classic for all time! A creative story that explores forgiveness and the possible implications of a life not lived. Starring some actor who could pass for mid-forties. Tom Cruise is the obvious choice! I don’t know who would play the younger versions of George Pringate.

Get Stewart Hoffman’s books in all formats here.

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