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3.66 AVERAGE
3.66 AVERAGE
This family drama begins in 1953 where Nick Taylor, a veteran of WWII, is a lawyer at American Oil. His wife Bet, a Vassar graduate, has put aside her career aspirations and is a full-time mother to Katherine and Harry. Nick keeps his visits to the Middle East private from his family. His friendship with Yale school-mate Carter Weston brings the family to Vermont where Nick purchases the secluded "Last House" which serves as an escape amidst the country's fear of the Russians and bombs. The story shifts to 1968 full of protests and radical movements. Katherine becomes a part of this world which isolates her from her parents. Harry becomes interested in ecological activism, which is counter to his father's career in oil.
I was impressed with Jessica Shattuck's novel, The Women in the Castle, an intriguing post-WWII story set in Germany. Her latest book, Last House is very different yet also engaging. The subject of the U.S. involvement in Iran for the sake of oil, was an interesting one. The book captures the spirit of the various movements in the late 1960s and early 1970s. It's a well-researched story that takes one family through the decades and how each character is impacted by the political climate of the period and their own beliefs and ultimately the decisions they make. This book moved more slowly than most of the books I read. My favorite "character" was the Vermont house as it served as a place of unity for the Taylor family over time.
Rated 3.75 stars.
I was impressed with Jessica Shattuck's novel, The Women in the Castle, an intriguing post-WWII story set in Germany. Her latest book, Last House is very different yet also engaging. The subject of the U.S. involvement in Iran for the sake of oil, was an interesting one. The book captures the spirit of the various movements in the late 1960s and early 1970s. It's a well-researched story that takes one family through the decades and how each character is impacted by the political climate of the period and their own beliefs and ultimately the decisions they make. This book moved more slowly than most of the books I read. My favorite "character" was the Vermont house as it served as a place of unity for the Taylor family over time.
Rated 3.75 stars.
adventurous
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Reading the other reviews first was a mistake - I loved this book. LOVE. It was reflective and while there are sad parts of it, there is a lot to appreciate. The switches from third to first person made all the difference and I ended up loving characters I didn’t think I would. I understand completely the feelings that surround Last House, as I have one of my own even if it came about differently. It felt familiar and cozy from the start, but also realistic in a way that was not traditionally fictional.
While the plot isn’t a huge dramatic peak and decline, it’s linear like real life. There are so many good lines here. “Have you ever thought about what it means to be from a place with no history? It makes you selfish. It's like the world exists just for you, just for right now. When you're in a place with history, you understand that you're part of a bigger project.” That’s my favorite. Second place is “don’t experience it until it’s happened.”
I got this from the library, but I will be purchasing to keep rereading. I think I’ll keep this one with me forever. I don’t mind that part 2 didn’t talk more about events of the time - I’m a US history teacher so I get a lot of that already. I liked that it was more focused on Katherine’s memories of the time with the tone that it was presented in. Maybe I would’ve felt differently about the book 8 months ago, but finishing it today reminds me a lot of my grandpa who would’ve been the same age of Katherine. Reflections of fathers who served in WWII, a country house, and tragedy - these strike home with me in a physical house where he is no longer.
While the plot isn’t a huge dramatic peak and decline, it’s linear like real life. There are so many good lines here. “Have you ever thought about what it means to be from a place with no history? It makes you selfish. It's like the world exists just for you, just for right now. When you're in a place with history, you understand that you're part of a bigger project.” That’s my favorite. Second place is “don’t experience it until it’s happened.”
I got this from the library, but I will be purchasing to keep rereading. I think I’ll keep this one with me forever. I don’t mind that part 2 didn’t talk more about events of the time - I’m a US history teacher so I get a lot of that already. I liked that it was more focused on Katherine’s memories of the time with the tone that it was presented in. Maybe I would’ve felt differently about the book 8 months ago, but finishing it today reminds me a lot of my grandpa who would’ve been the same age of Katherine. Reflections of fathers who served in WWII, a country house, and tragedy - these strike home with me in a physical house where he is no longer.
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
An enjoyable family saga that extends from WW2 to present day. A little over written with unnecessary repetition of characters' thoughts, feelings or personal revelations. I liked how their summer house brought them together through the years and the difference of personalities. Overall a good read.
slow-paced
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
challenging
informative
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes