Reviews

Last House by Jessica Shattuck

Only show reviews with written explanations

brynpemery's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging emotional reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

alimac713's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional informative slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

"Just because you believe something doesn't make it true. But what's the alternative? To believe nothing at all?"

Last House is a a sprawling family drama that follows the Taylor family, specifically father Nick Taylor, wife Bet Taylor, and kids Katherine and Harry Taylor, from the 1950s through the present. Nick Taylor worked his way up from humble beginnings and, thanks to a job in oil, is able to grant his kids the life he never had, including an idyllic vacation home known affectionately as "Last House." But life is not a vacation, and as Katherine and Harry grow up they each reckon with their place in the world and the ethics behind the source of the money that got them there. Enter the 1960s and the rise of militant political groups, explosive rhetoric, and actual explosives, where the decisions Katherine and Harry make have the potential to change all the Taylors forever.

I had mixed feelings about this book. On the one hand, I really enjoyed Nick Taylor's perspective - reading about American oil and its influence globally on countries like Iran was intriguing and kept me hooked. I would have read an entire book just about that. I struggled once the book switched to Katherine's perspective, and this is probably why it took me so long to finish. Where I saw Harry as a kid just trying to find his way in the world, I found Katherine whiney and privileged, and while the author was likely making a point about the kids who were involved in such movements at the time, I really wanted to reach through the book and bounce her back to reality. I was thrilled when her friend's father finally called her out.

This is a book I would recommend for book clubs, but maybe not as an individual enjoyment read.

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for the ARC, which was received in exchange for an honest review.