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3.98 AVERAGE
3.98 AVERAGE
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-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
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
reflective
sad
slow-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:
Complicated
emotional
mysterious
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infertility, Racism, Death of parent
QUICK TAKE: Jean Hanff Korelitz does her best Wes Anderson impression, and she had me hooked for the first half of the book (loved the Passover seder), but ultimately I struggled with THE LATECOMER, probably because I hated every single one of the kids and never understood why they were so terrible to each other. I'll of course read the author's next book, but as a huge fan of family dramas, I did not click with this one.
emotional
reflective
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
slow-paced
Kind of a slog, actually, but I stuck with it. Story hummed along. Too many over-privileged, unlikable characters.
I got about 75% into this book and then, unfortunately, had to put it down. It just hit a little close to home for me and was causing some mental health issues that I didn't care to push through.
However, I think the writing is superb. And that's why I tried so hard to push through. It's pretty obvious what the book is about from the blurb, so if you don't think it will be triggering for you, I highly recommend reading.
The dynamics of this family are very intricately explained.. you are inside their head. Because of that, it's a telling vs. showing type story, but in this case it works. It moved very quickly at the beginning. You get an in-depth look at a situation, then everything would skip ahead. So you're getting a snapshot of their lives with examples, I guess you could say. When you get to the college years, things slow down a little. I felt like the pacing was slightly off there. Their entire childhood is covered in the first 100-150 pages, then the story stays in their college until around page 300. But that ends with a bang and is worth hanging on if the college years bog you down.
A note: It's written in third person, and there are some jarring uses of the word "our" that threw me for a loop. But I had faith that the author was being purposeful with that... and I was right. So if this type of thing would bother you too, it's also worth hanging on through.
However, I think the writing is superb. And that's why I tried so hard to push through. It's pretty obvious what the book is about from the blurb, so if you don't think it will be triggering for you, I highly recommend reading.
The dynamics of this family are very intricately explained.. you are inside their head. Because of that, it's a telling vs. showing type story, but in this case it works. It moved very quickly at the beginning. You get an in-depth look at a situation, then everything would skip ahead. So you're getting a snapshot of their lives with examples, I guess you could say. When you get to the college years, things slow down a little. I felt like the pacing was slightly off there. Their entire childhood is covered in the first 100-150 pages, then the story stays in their college until around page 300. But that ends with a bang and is worth hanging on if the college years bog you down.
A note: It's written in third person, and there are some jarring uses of the word "our" that threw me for a loop. But I had faith that the author was being purposeful with that... and I was right. So if this type of thing would bother you too, it's also worth hanging on through.
I love this book and have elevated Jean Hanff Korelitz to my must read author list. (The Plot was really good too!) I devoured this book in one day of multiple sittings and putting offs of all important tasks.
I was expecting something similar to The Plot, and was happily surprised to see that the latecomer in this novel is part of an ongoing family saga. I loved this family; its members are flawed and real and so different from each other. As a mother of three sons, I can totally relate to Johanna’s wish that the kids all just get along, but this is so not the case. I felt seen! The characters were so well drawn that I could relate to each without really liking any of them.
Along with a multigenerational family story, we get insights into guilt, grief, privilege, shame, and race and religion. I enjoyed the mini lessons in this book for me on Jewish and LDS traditions.
This author writes so well. It reads effortlessly and I can see the movie in my head the entire time. There’s so much character development but somehow enough plot and action to keep this reader very happy. I loved Phoebe (the latecomer) and the baby of the family who helps ensure a maybe too happy of an ending. It was satisfying.
Thanks so much for the preview copy, Celadon, NetGally and the author. You have a big fan here!
I was expecting something similar to The Plot, and was happily surprised to see that the latecomer in this novel is part of an ongoing family saga. I loved this family; its members are flawed and real and so different from each other. As a mother of three sons, I can totally relate to Johanna’s wish that the kids all just get along, but this is so not the case. I felt seen! The characters were so well drawn that I could relate to each without really liking any of them.
Along with a multigenerational family story, we get insights into guilt, grief, privilege, shame, and race and religion. I enjoyed the mini lessons in this book for me on Jewish and LDS traditions.
This author writes so well. It reads effortlessly and I can see the movie in my head the entire time. There’s so much character development but somehow enough plot and action to keep this reader very happy. I loved Phoebe (the latecomer) and the baby of the family who helps ensure a maybe too happy of an ending. It was satisfying.
Thanks so much for the preview copy, Celadon, NetGally and the author. You have a big fan here!