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theoverbookedbibliophile's review
emotional
informative
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.0
Ambitious in scope, spanning the post-WWII years to the present dayLast House by Jessica Shattuck is a sweeping family saga that follows the fates and fortunes of the members of an American family. The story opens in 1953, where we meet WWII veteran thirty-year-old Nick Taylor, employed as a lawyer with American Oil, a part of a team visiting the Middle East along with a former Yale classmate Carter Weston, who “worked for the government” and whose area of expertise overlapped with Nick’s company’s agenda. With the growth of the oil industry in the United States, Nick’s career flourishes, affording his family financial security and material comforts including a vacation home in Vermont – a choice destination for many of his friends and colleagues. As the narrative progresses, we follow Nick, his wife Bet and his children Katherine and Harry - their hopes, aspirations, regrets and the consequences of the choices they make. “Last House” – their home is Vermont bears witness to their joys and sorrows, their triumphs and their losses and remains a haven for them during challenging times.
The narrative is shared from the perspectives of Nick, Bet and Katherine. The novel starts strong and though I was engrossed in Bet and Nick’s life in the post-WWII years, I found my interest waning as the narrative progressed. Both Nick and Bet’s backstories were interesting, but certain impactful events were merely glossed over. There was more telling than showing several momentous events in this novel. The pacing is on the slower side for the larger part of the story (though it rushes through the end to 2026 ) and the narrative is more than a tad disjointed and lacking in depth despite the rich socio-political backdrop of the novel. Katherine’s political activism and the tumultuous 60s and &70s – the years of the Vietnam War and the Civil Rights Movement - were well presented but I wish we had been given a more insightful look into Harry’s psyche and his motivations. A segment from Harry’s perspective would have, in my humble opinion, enriched the narrative. Each of the characters was realistic and well thought out, but with the exception of Katherine, the complexities of the other characters and the family dynamic were touched upon somewhat superficially. However, I did feel that the author does raise a timely and relevant question in terms of how present generations perceive the consequences of the actions of those who came before them.
Overall, though there is a lot to like about this novel and I did enjoy it in parts, it wasn’t an entirely satisfying read.
Many thanks to William Morrow for the digital review copy via NetGalley.
The narrative is shared from the perspectives of Nick, Bet and Katherine. The novel starts strong and though I was engrossed in Bet and Nick’s life in the post-WWII years, I found my interest waning as the narrative progressed. Both Nick and Bet’s backstories were interesting, but certain impactful events were merely glossed over. There was more telling than showing several momentous events in this novel. The pacing is on the slower side for the larger part of the story (though it rushes through the end to 2026 ) and the narrative is more than a tad disjointed and lacking in depth despite the rich socio-political backdrop of the novel. Katherine’s political activism and the tumultuous 60s and &70s – the years of the Vietnam War and the Civil Rights Movement - were well presented but I wish we had been given a more insightful look into Harry’s psyche and his motivations. A segment from Harry’s perspective would have, in my humble opinion, enriched the narrative. Each of the characters was realistic and well thought out, but with the exception of Katherine, the complexities of the other characters and the family dynamic were touched upon somewhat superficially. However, I did feel that the author does raise a timely and relevant question in terms of how present generations perceive the consequences of the actions of those who came before them.
Overall, though there is a lot to like about this novel and I did enjoy it in parts, it wasn’t an entirely satisfying read.
Many thanks to William Morrow for the digital review copy via NetGalley.
curlyjessreads's review against another edition
2.0
Spanning across generations this family saga follows the Taylors through some big societal changes. Beginning in 1953 with Nick and Bet as they settle down in the suburbs after WWII. Nick's job as a lawyer for an oil company (and experience from the Marines) takes him to the Middle East for negotiations and deals. While Bet tries to set up house and takes care of their kids. In the late 1960s we see those kids, Katherine and Harry, coming into their own ideals during the Vietnam war, Civil Rights Movement, and opposition to Big Oil (even though their lives of comfort and privilege were made possible by that same oil). Through conflict, tragedy, and healing this family learns about themselves as individuals and a family unit.
I don't think I am really the right audience for this book. It was a bit too cerebral for me. I felt like the climax was pretty anticlimactic as it had been eluded to a lot, and wasn't a surprise. I just didn't really get it, maybe due to the topic of fighting Big Oil, and I wasn't able to connect to the characters. I wish we had gotten some narration from Harry's perspective, because I felt like we only got who others thought he was, although that may have been the point.
I enjoyed her book The Women in the Castle, which I think had a somewhat similar feel (everyone is so pensive), but I connected more with the characters.
This was already published earlier this month, so if you enjoy pensive family generational sagas, go ahead and give this one a try.
Thank you to @netgalley for providing me with a copy to review!
#NetGalley #LastHouse
I don't think I am really the right audience for this book. It was a bit too cerebral for me. I felt like the climax was pretty anticlimactic as it had been eluded to a lot, and wasn't a surprise. I just didn't really get it, maybe due to the topic of fighting Big Oil, and I wasn't able to connect to the characters. I wish we had gotten some narration from Harry's perspective, because I felt like we only got who others thought he was, although that may have been the point.
I enjoyed her book The Women in the Castle, which I think had a somewhat similar feel (everyone is so pensive), but I connected more with the characters.
This was already published earlier this month, so if you enjoy pensive family generational sagas, go ahead and give this one a try.
Thank you to @netgalley for providing me with a copy to review!
#NetGalley #LastHouse
sarah_reading_party's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Last House by Jessica Shattuck was a lovely book. I found it to be well written with a deep dive into various parts of the 20th century and characters that were not always likable but were always intriguing and worth pursuing. This book was so readable, even though it was not fluffy. I was forced to keep thinking as I read this story which is not always true with historical fiction. It is definitely on the "literary" side of historical fiction and poses lots of good questions for readers to consider. It is philosophical but also relatable.
I always appreciate family saga type books, but at times there are so many characters it is hard to keep track of who is who. This is not the case for this book! This "family saga" focuses on just one family - Nick and Bet, and their two children, Katherine and Harry. Everyone is not always likable but each character has their charms which motivated me to keep reading. There are three sections of this book, and while I enjoyed the first and last bits the most, the middle section (from Katherine's point of view) was important to the story as a whole. For what it is worth, this section was not as readable as the rest... not quite sure why - perhaps it is Katherine at that age that I didn't like?
Much of the book centers around Vietnam and the politics of that era, as well as the role oil played in American life. Super interesting to me, especially since Dow Chemical was called out in this book (my grandfather worked for Dow for most of his career- 1950s-80s/90s). This book gave me lots to think about in terms of how America relates to the world. I would love to travel to the area where Last House is located and see that part of the northeast. Overall, I really enjoyed this book and am glad I took the chance on it!
Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for this eARC. All opinions are my own.
I always appreciate family saga type books, but at times there are so many characters it is hard to keep track of who is who. This is not the case for this book! This "family saga" focuses on just one family - Nick and Bet, and their two children, Katherine and Harry. Everyone is not always likable but each character has their charms which motivated me to keep reading. There are three sections of this book, and while I enjoyed the first and last bits the most, the middle section (from Katherine's point of view) was important to the story as a whole. For what it is worth, this section was not as readable as the rest... not quite sure why - perhaps it is Katherine at that age that I didn't like?
Much of the book centers around Vietnam and the politics of that era, as well as the role oil played in American life. Super interesting to me, especially since Dow Chemical was called out in this book (my grandfather worked for Dow for most of his career- 1950s-80s/90s). This book gave me lots to think about in terms of how America relates to the world. I would love to travel to the area where Last House is located and see that part of the northeast. Overall, I really enjoyed this book and am glad I took the chance on it!
Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for this eARC. All opinions are my own.
thrillofthepage's review against another edition
I went in blind and expected more of a historical fiction novel. There are small parts that I would consider historical fiction, but this is definitely a very heavy character driven novel. At almost 100 pages in, I didn’t know where the story was headed and honestly, I didn’t care.
ssweizer's review against another edition
Just not my vibe. Very political and slow.
thecultivatedlibraryco's review
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.5
When I read the description and added Last House to my tbr, I'm not sure what I was expecting, but it wasn't this! I don't even know how to adequately explain my thoughts about this book! Last House by Jessica Shattuck is part historical fiction, part multigenerational family saga, and partly a conversation on how we as humans treat each other and the planet we inhabit. It is just so good!
Aside from the brief WWII references in the beginning, I wasn't super familiar with the other historical events in the book, like the oil negotiations between the US and Iran and activism in the US during Vietnam. More than history however, Shattuck gives us so much more to ponder. She touches on women and their roles, activism, conflict between parents and their offspring, capitalism, survival, husbands and wives, and marriages. There's just so much to consider!
I feel like Last House is the kind of book that after we get the gist of the story from the first read through, we could read it again and glean even more from the stories of Nick and Bet and Katherine and Harry. And to be honest, while reading this, I found myself wishing I had my own Last House. Shattuck's storytelling is both engaging and insightful, and I can't wait to read what she writes next!
Read this if you like:
• books with William Krueger Kent vibes
• books that explore family dynamics
• 20th century historical fiction
Aside from the brief WWII references in the beginning, I wasn't super familiar with the other historical events in the book, like the oil negotiations between the US and Iran and activism in the US during Vietnam. More than history however, Shattuck gives us so much more to ponder. She touches on women and their roles, activism, conflict between parents and their offspring, capitalism, survival, husbands and wives, and marriages. There's just so much to consider!
I feel like Last House is the kind of book that after we get the gist of the story from the first read through, we could read it again and glean even more from the stories of Nick and Bet and Katherine and Harry. And to be honest, while reading this, I found myself wishing I had my own Last House. Shattuck's storytelling is both engaging and insightful, and I can't wait to read what she writes next!
Read this if you like:
• books with William Krueger Kent vibes
• books that explore family dynamics
• 20th century historical fiction
danubooks's review
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Will they shape the world, or will the world shape them?
Nick and Bet Taylor meet in Washington DC during the WWII years, he a soldier soon to ship overseas and she a Vassar graduate working on a secret cryptography program. Bet has dreams of pursuing her PhD in literature after the war and leading a meaningful career, while Nick’s experiences will sharpen his desire to marry and create a stable basis for his life. Their upbringings were different: Nick’s father was a strict Mennonite whose family led a somber, no frills life, while Bet’s family of Irish immigrants had worked hard to better their lives and those of their children. Neither comes from the type of wealthy families in which their classmates and ultimately colleagues and neighbors were raised, and both feel not quite accepted within their milieu. Nick becomes a lawyer and goes to work for the American Oil Company, traveling to the Middle East to hammer out contracts and climbing the corporate ladder, while Bet finds herself a suburban housewife, raising their two children in the New England town of Mapleton. The oil industry provides the Taylors with a very comfortable life, and through it Nick meets the charismatic Carter Weston, who works with the CIA to further US interests in the Middle East. Carter recruits Nick to work alongside him even as he pursues his own work for American Oil to help tip the political structure in Iran towards a favorable partnership with the US, resulting in the reinstatement of the Shah and the dominance of the American Oil Company in that country. Through Nick’s friendship and work with Carter, the Taylors will buy a house and plot of land in a Vermont valley inherited by Carter and which Carter establishes as a retreat for a cluster of likeminded friends…an acceptance into the social sphere which had for so long eluded them. The Last House, as it is known, becomes the Taylor family retreat and their children, the fierce-minded Katherine and the gentle, nature-loving Harry spend summers there throughout their childhood. Katherine and Harry come of age during the turbulent late sixties, and each will come to look at the oil company that has been the source of their family’s income and success to be something insidious, part of an industry that is funding wars and ruining the environment. The family becomes increasingly strained, and ultimately a tragedy will forever alter their lives.
A saga that examines the ambitions of a generation who comes of age during WWII and the very different paths and morals that their children will pursue later on, bringing the two generations into conflict, Last House uses the oil industry as the prism through which this American family prospers and later splinters. Nick lives the American dream, working hard to rise above his modest beginnings to create a life for his family far more comfortable than what he experienced, and earnestly pursues a profession which he believes is bringing positive progress to a country struggling to shed its old ways. Bet loves her family but does not find an intellectual or creative outlet as an average suburban wife, and wonders about what her life would have been had she chosen to remain single and pursue her career instead of marrying Nick. Katherine judges her mother harshly for the choices she made, but as she eschews the life that her parents chose for her and instead becomes involved with political activism she too will make choices that will reverberate throughout her life, some she will deeply regret. Harry, the idealist and pacifist, will get pulled into Katherine’s circle, and that group in turn will intersect with Carter and his machinations. This is a story told through the eyes of many characters, well fleshed out and with their own dreams, agendas, and failings that combine to drive the sequence of events against a vividly painted background. Two turbulent periods in American history, where nothing can be seen as simply right or wrong, black or white…..professional life, personal life, and politics are hopelessly intertwined, and love and other passions are never quite enough to bring about a perfectly happy ending. Readers of Julia Glass, Claire Messud and J. Courtney Sullivan should find this novel greatly appealing, as should those who are intrigued by the actions of the US in Iran at the beginning of the Age of Oil or what life was like in the trenches of the protest movements in the late 1960’s and early 1970’s. I felt great empathy for each character, what they wanted to achieve and the struggles through which they lived. Many thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for allowing me access to this novel, with themes that resonate in struggles on college campuses and elsewhere in society today.
Nick and Bet Taylor meet in Washington DC during the WWII years, he a soldier soon to ship overseas and she a Vassar graduate working on a secret cryptography program. Bet has dreams of pursuing her PhD in literature after the war and leading a meaningful career, while Nick’s experiences will sharpen his desire to marry and create a stable basis for his life. Their upbringings were different: Nick’s father was a strict Mennonite whose family led a somber, no frills life, while Bet’s family of Irish immigrants had worked hard to better their lives and those of their children. Neither comes from the type of wealthy families in which their classmates and ultimately colleagues and neighbors were raised, and both feel not quite accepted within their milieu. Nick becomes a lawyer and goes to work for the American Oil Company, traveling to the Middle East to hammer out contracts and climbing the corporate ladder, while Bet finds herself a suburban housewife, raising their two children in the New England town of Mapleton. The oil industry provides the Taylors with a very comfortable life, and through it Nick meets the charismatic Carter Weston, who works with the CIA to further US interests in the Middle East. Carter recruits Nick to work alongside him even as he pursues his own work for American Oil to help tip the political structure in Iran towards a favorable partnership with the US, resulting in the reinstatement of the Shah and the dominance of the American Oil Company in that country. Through Nick’s friendship and work with Carter, the Taylors will buy a house and plot of land in a Vermont valley inherited by Carter and which Carter establishes as a retreat for a cluster of likeminded friends…an acceptance into the social sphere which had for so long eluded them. The Last House, as it is known, becomes the Taylor family retreat and their children, the fierce-minded Katherine and the gentle, nature-loving Harry spend summers there throughout their childhood. Katherine and Harry come of age during the turbulent late sixties, and each will come to look at the oil company that has been the source of their family’s income and success to be something insidious, part of an industry that is funding wars and ruining the environment. The family becomes increasingly strained, and ultimately a tragedy will forever alter their lives.
A saga that examines the ambitions of a generation who comes of age during WWII and the very different paths and morals that their children will pursue later on, bringing the two generations into conflict, Last House uses the oil industry as the prism through which this American family prospers and later splinters. Nick lives the American dream, working hard to rise above his modest beginnings to create a life for his family far more comfortable than what he experienced, and earnestly pursues a profession which he believes is bringing positive progress to a country struggling to shed its old ways. Bet loves her family but does not find an intellectual or creative outlet as an average suburban wife, and wonders about what her life would have been had she chosen to remain single and pursue her career instead of marrying Nick. Katherine judges her mother harshly for the choices she made, but as she eschews the life that her parents chose for her and instead becomes involved with political activism she too will make choices that will reverberate throughout her life, some she will deeply regret. Harry, the idealist and pacifist, will get pulled into Katherine’s circle, and that group in turn will intersect with Carter and his machinations. This is a story told through the eyes of many characters, well fleshed out and with their own dreams, agendas, and failings that combine to drive the sequence of events against a vividly painted background. Two turbulent periods in American history, where nothing can be seen as simply right or wrong, black or white…..professional life, personal life, and politics are hopelessly intertwined, and love and other passions are never quite enough to bring about a perfectly happy ending. Readers of Julia Glass, Claire Messud and J. Courtney Sullivan should find this novel greatly appealing, as should those who are intrigued by the actions of the US in Iran at the beginning of the Age of Oil or what life was like in the trenches of the protest movements in the late 1960’s and early 1970’s. I felt great empathy for each character, what they wanted to achieve and the struggles through which they lived. Many thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for allowing me access to this novel, with themes that resonate in struggles on college campuses and elsewhere in society today.
theavidreaderandbibliophile's review
2.0
Last House by Jessica Shattuck is a family saga that begins in 1953. The characters slowly take shape. Instead of getting to see the characters develop as the story progresses, we are told about their developments. The story focuses on Nick, Bet, and Katherine. I was not able to connect with any of the characters. Just when I was getting to know Nick and Bet, the story switched to Katherine, and, in the third section, it switches back to Nick and Bet. The story moves at a terribly slow pace (the third section felt like I was trudging uphill on a sweltering day wearing a thick winter coat and carrying a backpack filled with heavy rocks). I felt that the story lost focus after the family was introduced and they purchased Last House. The story covers the environmental, political, social, and human rights issues that occurred over the decades. I learned more than I wanted to know about Iran and the oil conflict in 1953. In the last third, there were too many characters and topics. I liked that the ending (when I finally got to it) focused on the family, but the conclusion was rushed (which I thought was funny considering the rest of the story moved at a snail’s pace). The story did not seem to have a point or a plot. The best thing about Last House is that it helped my insomnia.
amandajinut's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.0