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3.98 AVERAGE
3.98 AVERAGE
challenging
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Not at all what I expected, a bit meadering but I thought ended well.
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book, The Latecomer by Jean Hanff Korelitz, chronicles the lives of the Oppenheimer family from the time that Johanna and Salo Oppenheimer meet until their triplets become young adults. The triplets, Harrison, Lewyn, and Sally, were born through in-vitro fertilization, and once they go their separate ways at 18, their other sibling is born.
I'd never read a book by this author although I've checked off some of her other books to be read. I found her writing to be very fluid and descriptive without being pretentious. Some parts may be too dense and layered for others to read, but I enjoyed it. The book really made me think of John Irving's novels for some reason. The style feels similar, the plotlines and twists comparable to some of his better works, and the characters very well-drawn.
I feel like the author brings up some great questions about this method of conception but from a very different angle. She's not diving into the politics of it but coming at you with an unusual viewpoint. Most notably, regarding the fact that three children were brought up together and another comes along much later on through the same means. This brings up some interesting and thought-provoking family dynamics and what it could mean for all parties involved.
Also, curious, is how the triplets relate to each other, which is not very well. Despite being triplets, they're so different from each other to the point of practically despising one another and moving toward diverse lifestyles and goals. But some of their lives intertwine in the future in extremely surprising ways even with every effort to remain apart.
Although I did give this a five-star review, I felt like I needed more insight about some characters that may appear to be supporting characters or cameos but are so much more integral to the plot. Even the father needed more exploration after he was put aside, especially toward the end of the book. To talk more in-depth about his trajectory would spoil too much of the book, though.
Overall, I really absorbed this book, the characters, the family dynamics, and the way that events and situations reflect the characters. I agree with some reviewers that a few characters make some unexpected choices that may seem odd. One thing that stuck with me is the type of work that Sally ends up doing. It juxtaposes so nicely with the act of unraveling families that it just had to be intentional.
This book would be an excellent choice for book clubs although some may find the pace of the book more plodding because there is so much detail. Give it a try--there's a lot to talk about. All throughout the book, I kept thinking that one of my book club pals should definitely read it. I'm hanging onto the book for her.
Thank you, Celadon Books, for an advanced reading copy of this book in exchange for an honest review! It was a pleasure!
I'd never read a book by this author although I've checked off some of her other books to be read. I found her writing to be very fluid and descriptive without being pretentious. Some parts may be too dense and layered for others to read, but I enjoyed it. The book really made me think of John Irving's novels for some reason. The style feels similar, the plotlines and twists comparable to some of his better works, and the characters very well-drawn.
I feel like the author brings up some great questions about this method of conception but from a very different angle. She's not diving into the politics of it but coming at you with an unusual viewpoint. Most notably, regarding the fact that three children were brought up together and another comes along much later on through the same means. This brings up some interesting and thought-provoking family dynamics and what it could mean for all parties involved.
Also, curious, is how the triplets relate to each other, which is not very well. Despite being triplets, they're so different from each other to the point of practically despising one another and moving toward diverse lifestyles and goals. But some of their lives intertwine in the future in extremely surprising ways even with every effort to remain apart.
Although I did give this a five-star review, I felt like I needed more insight about some characters that may appear to be supporting characters or cameos but are so much more integral to the plot. Even the father needed more exploration after he was put aside, especially toward the end of the book. To talk more in-depth about his trajectory would spoil too much of the book, though.
Overall, I really absorbed this book, the characters, the family dynamics, and the way that events and situations reflect the characters. I agree with some reviewers that a few characters make some unexpected choices that may seem odd. One thing that stuck with me is the type of work that Sally ends up doing. It juxtaposes so nicely with the act of unraveling families that it just had to be intentional.
This book would be an excellent choice for book clubs although some may find the pace of the book more plodding because there is so much detail. Give it a try--there's a lot to talk about. All throughout the book, I kept thinking that one of my book club pals should definitely read it. I'm hanging onto the book for her.
Thank you, Celadon Books, for an advanced reading copy of this book in exchange for an honest review! It was a pleasure!
emotional
hopeful
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
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I cannot express how much I loved this book. In part, I think it's because I'm interested in some of the same topics as the author – Mormonism & religious traditions, the art world, higher education – plus, much of the book is set in Brooklyn, Manhattan, and upstate New York, where I've lived/worked/gone to school. I read a review that described this book like seeing a jigsaw puzzle coming together, which I wholeheartedly agree with. By the end, all the pieces were falling into place so quickly, but there were still plot twists taking place and I just couldn't stop reading until I could see the full picture of the story. The Latecomer really has one of the most satisfying endings I've read in a book – I can't stop saying enough good things about it.
challenging
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-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
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes