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3.98 AVERAGE
3.98 AVERAGE
I was, for 2/3rds of the book, critical of the length and what seemed like unnecessary descriptions and details to tell the story. However, it was all necessary. This book set off so many fires within me. Brilliantly written.
Slow pace, pretentious writing (and some pretentious characters). I liked the last third much more than the beginning because Phoebe was the most intriguing character to me.
dark
emotional
sad
tense
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:
Yes
4 stars with caveats:
Does the redemptive arc of the last 10% of the book make up for the dysfunction of the first 14.5 hours?
This is a family drama. It is brutal 90% of the way and then the ending makes me like it.
I can’t decide if I recommend it or not. But it kinda reminds me of Apples Never Fall although I wouldn’t rate it as high.
It is a commitment. The characters are believable and deeply flawed.
I do really like the narrator.
And the writing is superb.
So, just know going in.
Does the redemptive arc of the last 10% of the book make up for the dysfunction of the first 14.5 hours?
This is a family drama. It is brutal 90% of the way and then the ending makes me like it.
I can’t decide if I recommend it or not. But it kinda reminds me of Apples Never Fall although I wouldn’t rate it as high.
It is a commitment. The characters are believable and deeply flawed.
I do really like the narrator.
And the writing is superb.
So, just know going in.
This novel was about a dysfunctional family. For most of the book, the characters are separated from each other, but they come together in the end in ways that are callbacks to earlier in the novel.
I listened to the audiobook.
I listened to the audiobook.
I picked up The Latecomer because I loved Jean Hanff Korelitz’s novel The Plot (review hopefully coming soon.) The Latecomer is not a thriller like The Plot but I liked it just as much. It asks the interesting question about how it feels to be born from the “leftover” embryos after your parents go through IVF, several years after your siblings have been born. What would your life look like if you had been one of the triplets instead of the much younger singleton? It’s also about sibling dynamics. The triplets do not get a long at all, dashing their mother’s hope that they would always be a close family. That’s one of the reasons she decided to have a fourth child, thinking it would bring everyone together.
I really enjoyed The Latecomer. I could relate to the mother wanting her children to stay close to each other and to her. I have four kids and I hope they stay close. And my youngest is nine years younger than his closest sibling so he’s kind of a latecomer as well!
Jean Hanff Korelitz is on her way to becoming one of my favorite authors. Highly recommended.
I really enjoyed The Latecomer. I could relate to the mother wanting her children to stay close to each other and to her. I have four kids and I hope they stay close. And my youngest is nine years younger than his closest sibling so he’s kind of a latecomer as well!
Jean Hanff Korelitz is on her way to becoming one of my favorite authors. Highly recommended.
So many words. So many unnecessary words. If you take the title at face value, then the first 2/3 of this book is backstory. Latecomer, indeed -- the titular character doesn't appear in any meaningful way until page 323. And after that? A coincidence-laden race to the finish line.
(I will give the author credit for her skill in writing characters who inspire a visceral dislike in the reader -- it takes skill to make someone loathe fictional characters that much.)
(I will give the author credit for her skill in writing characters who inspire a visceral dislike in the reader -- it takes skill to make someone loathe fictional characters that much.)
Rating 3.75
This is the first book I’ve read by this author so I wasn’t sure what to expect. I’m pleased to say it was quite enjoyable. Being someone who is from a seriously dysfunctional family I related too much to this story. I can totally understand wanting to distance yourself from your siblings and parents when you turn of age or have the possibility to do so. I think most people look forward to finding who they are outside of their family. I will be honest, I left my parents house when I was still in high school and it was the best decision I’ve ever made. Zero regrets. I would not be the person I am if I didn’t make that hard choice.
While none of the characters were particularly my favorite I appreciate how well written they are. Usually, when I can’t connect to characters it typically ruins a book for me but not this time. The point isn’t to like or relate to these characters, it's to basically watch or study how their lives unfold. How they acted was exactly how you would think people in their shoes would act. I think if you understand that going in then it will help your reading process.
I really enjoy how the author writes and the way she brought this story to life. This isn’t a book you will read in one sitting at least not me since it’s almost 500 pages! I enjoyed reading 50 pages before bed and that helped me not realize the length and still kept my interest. It’s important to do this with longer books so you don’t tire yourself out of the story. Especially since this book starts off slow and keeps a steady slowness throughout. The beginning can be a little rough to first get into it but I think if you keep with it you could really enjoy this story.
*Thank you to @celadonbooks for giving me an ARC in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own*
This is the first book I’ve read by this author so I wasn’t sure what to expect. I’m pleased to say it was quite enjoyable. Being someone who is from a seriously dysfunctional family I related too much to this story. I can totally understand wanting to distance yourself from your siblings and parents when you turn of age or have the possibility to do so. I think most people look forward to finding who they are outside of their family. I will be honest, I left my parents house when I was still in high school and it was the best decision I’ve ever made. Zero regrets. I would not be the person I am if I didn’t make that hard choice.
While none of the characters were particularly my favorite I appreciate how well written they are. Usually, when I can’t connect to characters it typically ruins a book for me but not this time. The point isn’t to like or relate to these characters, it's to basically watch or study how their lives unfold. How they acted was exactly how you would think people in their shoes would act. I think if you understand that going in then it will help your reading process.
I really enjoy how the author writes and the way she brought this story to life. This isn’t a book you will read in one sitting at least not me since it’s almost 500 pages! I enjoyed reading 50 pages before bed and that helped me not realize the length and still kept my interest. It’s important to do this with longer books so you don’t tire yourself out of the story. Especially since this book starts off slow and keeps a steady slowness throughout. The beginning can be a little rough to first get into it but I think if you keep with it you could really enjoy this story.
*Thank you to @celadonbooks for giving me an ARC in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own*
Another reviewer described this as “a chore” to read, which I think sums it up nicely. I love a deeply layered family drama, but this one was an absolute slog to get through. And not sure it was worth it in the end. Maybe if you’re really into art?