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3.98 AVERAGE
3.98 AVERAGE
This book is a beauty
I want to start off by saying this is the kind of book that is either not your thing or very very much your thing, luckily this book was very much what I enjoy.
I thoroughly enjoyed this intricately plotted novel about a New York family, which despite wealth, education, and all advantages, was unsuccessful in creating a healthy, loving household, they were so dysfunctional... I love reading about dysfunctional people, if well written.. and this was very well written.
It was very long but I really enjoyed it. I'll be reading her other books now.
I want to start off by saying this is the kind of book that is either not your thing or very very much your thing, luckily this book was very much what I enjoy.
I thoroughly enjoyed this intricately plotted novel about a New York family, which despite wealth, education, and all advantages, was unsuccessful in creating a healthy, loving household, they were so dysfunctional... I love reading about dysfunctional people, if well written.. and this was very well written.
It was very long but I really enjoyed it. I'll be reading her other books now.
Really enjoyed reading this literary novel with a couple twists and turns, to say the least! It is a slow burn, starting with Salo and Joanna Oppenheimer in the 1970s and ending in present day. The bulk of the novel revolves around their “petri-dish” triplets who generally don’t get along or talk. As the triplets are preparing for college, multiple events lead to Joanna and Salo having their fourth child from the retrieved embryos of the 1980s via surrogate. Seventeen years later, the fourth child, Phoebe, must figure out how to bring her family back together.
The first 2 thirds of the book were a slog and were supposed to set up the last third.
They consist of some hints but mostly telling us every other sentence that the triplets were not close. Really not close. Definitely not close.
The last third is where the story comes to life.
They consist of some hints but mostly telling us every other sentence that the triplets were not close. Really not close. Definitely not close.
The last third is where the story comes to life.
I wish I could give a half star as this would probably have been a three and a half for me. It had some really good elements, and I loved how it all tied up in a neat little bow. However, there were times where I just wanted to skip pages because something was being explored in too much depth and I was bored...
This is a massive family saga which follows, firstly, two people who marry following a tragic accident one of them caused. We go on to see their experience of fertility, which brings them triplets who are in no way interested in being part of a family. As the book goes on, you start to wonder who is writing it in first person (particularly if you have not read the blurb) but I won't spoil that here.
I did feel like all of the characters were deeply explored and given the backstory that they merited. You flit between them, getting their backstory, and it gives you a wide picture about why they behave how they do. That said, I really couldn't get why the triplets were always so vehemently disgusted by one another's presence! That seemed strange to me, the complete lack of relationship even where they did spend time together as kids. I guess I thought that was a bit simplified- there could have been more nuance to that estrangement.
I liked how coincidence played a massive role in the story, bringing back together people in ways that made the world seem small and safe. In real life, that never happens, but in this book, you felt like fate was playing a hand when Stella came back into the picture, and then with Rochelle and Ephriam. The people that the characters became explored this too- details about their experiences shaped their pursuits later in life.
Some parts of the book explored issues which I did find interesting in their depth. Harrison's whole thing was interesting because he was the opposite to what I would expect- raised left and rebelling by heading to the right. I loved to hate everything he did, and his storyline brought up many topics which were fascinating to consider from a fictional perspective.
This is a massive family saga which follows, firstly, two people who marry following a tragic accident one of them caused. We go on to see their experience of fertility, which brings them triplets who are in no way interested in being part of a family. As the book goes on, you start to wonder who is writing it in first person (particularly if you have not read the blurb) but I won't spoil that here.
I did feel like all of the characters were deeply explored and given the backstory that they merited. You flit between them, getting their backstory, and it gives you a wide picture about why they behave how they do. That said, I really couldn't get why the triplets were always so vehemently disgusted by one another's presence! That seemed strange to me, the complete lack of relationship even where they did spend time together as kids. I guess I thought that was a bit simplified- there could have been more nuance to that estrangement.
I liked how coincidence played a massive role in the story, bringing back together people in ways that made the world seem small and safe. In real life, that never happens, but in this book, you felt like fate was playing a hand when Stella came back into the picture, and then with Rochelle and Ephriam. The people that the characters became explored this too- details about their experiences shaped their pursuits later in life.
Some parts of the book explored issues which I did find interesting in their depth. Harrison's whole thing was interesting because he was the opposite to what I would expect- raised left and rebelling by heading to the right. I loved to hate everything he did, and his storyline brought up many topics which were fascinating to consider from a fictional perspective.
I had lots of connections with this book, especially giving birth to multiples via IVF. I had a hard time understanding the personalities of each of the triplets, since most of the book takes place after they have reached adolescence. Yet, I found myself empathizing with a lot of the characters, even those that were unlikable. I figured out some of the plot twists early, but it didn't take away from my enjoyment.
I found this thoroughly entertaining--satirical and funny in just the right parts, and a good family drama about an emotionally stunted bunch of individuals and the havoc they wreak on each other and those around them.
**SPOILERS**
The Latecomer is a well-written story about a dysfunctional family and their inability to connect with one another until the "latecomer" child finds ways to bring them all together.
Overall, this book was not for me.
The Latecomer is a book that is ironically true to its title --- the character who is the "latecomer" does not appear until over 300 pages have already been read.
Put very simply, the first 300 pages of this book describe how the Oppenheimer family move through the world wishing they were anything but a family; just for the youngest, Phoebe, to finally appear as the missing piece. Compared to her siblings' diatribes, Phoebe's story is a breath of fresh air that I wish the author had gotten to sooner.
There is also a death due to 9/11/2001 that I thought was entirely unnecessary. Perhaps the author chose to have this character die in this heinous way (instead of, say, a heart attack) because the book is set in New York and her characters were quintessential New Yorkers? It seemed unnecessary and did not move the plot forward in any meaningful way.
The Latecomer is a well-written story about a dysfunctional family and their inability to connect with one another until the "latecomer" child finds ways to bring them all together.
Overall, this book was not for me.
The Latecomer is a book that is ironically true to its title --- the character who is the "latecomer" does not appear until over 300 pages have already been read.
Put very simply, the first 300 pages of this book describe how the Oppenheimer family move through the world wishing they were anything but a family; just for the youngest, Phoebe, to finally appear as the missing piece. Compared to her siblings' diatribes, Phoebe's story is a breath of fresh air that I wish the author had gotten to sooner.
There is also a death due to 9/11/2001 that I thought was entirely unnecessary. Perhaps the author chose to have this character die in this heinous way (instead of, say, a heart attack) because the book is set in New York and her characters were quintessential New Yorkers? It seemed unnecessary and did not move the plot forward in any meaningful way.
After reading The Plot https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4649546097 by this author, I was so excited to get a hold of this book. So, you can imagine how disappointed I was to offer it only 3 stars.
This is why…
Premise: We have a nameless narrator (which is a spoiler I won’t share) who introduces us to 3, starting before conception – the Oppenheimer triplets – Harrison, Lewyn and Sally. A Jewish American success story. Live in Brooklyn. Summer on Martha’s Vineyard. Rich. Exclusive social world.
This is a story of family conflict. Parents are at odds. Secrets. Dysfunctional.
There is grief and guilt, and weighty themes, and race playing a critical element in the story.
It was for me an unpleasant read, because the characters in their privilege were unlikable.
I just didn’t enjoy the story.
I probably will be an outlier, but that is okay. Sometimes, reading experiences are like that, too.
This is why…
Premise: We have a nameless narrator (which is a spoiler I won’t share) who introduces us to 3, starting before conception – the Oppenheimer triplets – Harrison, Lewyn and Sally. A Jewish American success story. Live in Brooklyn. Summer on Martha’s Vineyard. Rich. Exclusive social world.
This is a story of family conflict. Parents are at odds. Secrets. Dysfunctional.
There is grief and guilt, and weighty themes, and race playing a critical element in the story.
It was for me an unpleasant read, because the characters in their privilege were unlikable.
I just didn’t enjoy the story.
I probably will be an outlier, but that is okay. Sometimes, reading experiences are like that, too.
Absolutely hated the first 60% of this book. Found it so mundane, confusing and hard to get through. Almost stopped a few times. Kept going since it was so highly recommended and I’m glad I did - the last 30-40% of the book was so good and made the first confusing half come full circle. Wish I had enjoyed the first half more.
DNF at 25%. The characters and plot bored me. There wasn’t one family member interesting enough to continue reading.