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novabird's review against another edition
1.0
Does grief trump all responsibility?
Quindlen set up the first half of, “Every Last One,” with the use of a banal tone to paint a picture of normalcy in contrast to the sudden tragedy. To me this was so much a rather obvious structure, that I was forgiving of the author for boring me with the minutia of everyday life and I expected ELO to come to life in writing the after effects of such trauma.
Despite its focus on the mother, Mary Beth, I never get a real sense that she changes or grows as a character. As a matter of fact, she seems to deliberately turn a blind eye on her role
Does grief trump all responsibility? This may have been the underlying question that Quindlen sought to bring to light, but she totally disallows this questioned from being answered. This could have been a much better book had this question been addressed. ELO was a predictable, boring and dissatisfying read. Only because of what Quindlen omits and my seeking to understand why this was the case, gave this book any redeeming features 1
Quindlen set up the first half of, “Every Last One,” with the use of a banal tone to paint a picture of normalcy in contrast to the sudden tragedy. To me this was so much a rather obvious structure, that I was forgiving of the author for boring me with the minutia of everyday life and I expected ELO to come to life in writing the after effects of such trauma.
Despite its focus on the mother, Mary Beth, I never get a real sense that she changes or grows as a character. As a matter of fact, she seems to deliberately turn a blind eye on her role
Spoiler
and impact on Kiernan’s family with her infidelity with Kiernan’s father and her twice refusal to help the Kiernan family; once asked by Kiernan’s mother and the other asked by Kiernan himself. Not to mention, her blindness to seeing the danger to her daughter.Does grief trump all responsibility? This may have been the underlying question that Quindlen sought to bring to light, but she totally disallows this questioned from being answered. This could have been a much better book had this question been addressed. ELO was a predictable, boring and dissatisfying read. Only because of what Quindlen omits and my seeking to understand why this was the case, gave this book any redeeming features 1
bookish_aries337's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
lastpaige111's review against another edition
4.0
Depressing. Great characterization. Too much foreshadowing.
book_concierge's review against another edition
3.0
3.5***
Mary Beth Latham is a wonderful mother. She juggles the demands of her landscaping business with the demands of her family – three teenagers and her ophthalmologist husband – with apparent ease. She remains available to her friends and in tune with her children’s growing independence. When one of her sons shows signs of depression, she focuses on him, but this blinds her to what else is happening in their circle of acquaintances. One horrible unforeseen event will change everything, and force Mary Beth to reassess the dreams she has always had – for herself and for her family.
Quindlen’s novel is about hope and healing, about the power of love and determination, and about facing the worst thing we can imagine, and finding a way not just to survive but to thrive.
I enjoyed the novel. I was drawn into the Latham family’s life. But I saw the crisis coming and didn’t understand how Mary Beth (not to mention her husband) could be so oblivious. Maybe it’s because I do not have children, that I cannot understand how she could be so focused on one problem that she failed to see the bigger picture. I did like the way Quindlen handled the aftermath; there are no easy answers in this situation and she didn’t try to tie everything up with a nice neat bow. There is hope for the future, though it is still uncertain. That is realistic, and I appreciate how the novel ends.
Mary Beth Latham is a wonderful mother. She juggles the demands of her landscaping business with the demands of her family – three teenagers and her ophthalmologist husband – with apparent ease. She remains available to her friends and in tune with her children’s growing independence. When one of her sons shows signs of depression, she focuses on him, but this blinds her to what else is happening in their circle of acquaintances. One horrible unforeseen event will change everything, and force Mary Beth to reassess the dreams she has always had – for herself and for her family.
Quindlen’s novel is about hope and healing, about the power of love and determination, and about facing the worst thing we can imagine, and finding a way not just to survive but to thrive.
I enjoyed the novel. I was drawn into the Latham family’s life. But I saw the crisis coming and didn’t understand how Mary Beth (not to mention her husband) could be so oblivious. Maybe it’s because I do not have children, that I cannot understand how she could be so focused on one problem that she failed to see the bigger picture. I did like the way Quindlen handled the aftermath; there are no easy answers in this situation and she didn’t try to tie everything up with a nice neat bow. There is hope for the future, though it is still uncertain. That is realistic, and I appreciate how the novel ends.
lisaar91's review against another edition
4.0
This book dragged and dragged and then omg it all changed and thennnnn it dragged a bit.
It was an emotional roller coaster though. I say it dragged but I couldn't put it down. I can't quite figure it out.
It was an emotional roller coaster though. I say it dragged but I couldn't put it down. I can't quite figure it out.
timna_wyckoff's review against another edition
4.0
This book felt very real when dealing with raising teenagers, marriage, friendship, and loss, but the loss itself was SO tragic and unusual as to feel sensationalized to me.
shareen17's review against another edition
4.0
Because I read a review of this book so long before I actually checked it out, I had no idea what to expect from the plot. I so identified with the narrator's experience of motherhood, marriage and middle-aged life. In many ways her life seemed so much like mine, that it was quite shocking and emotional when her life goes dramatically wrong. It's kind of a sad reminder that despite all our efforts, we can't predict and protect ourselves from everything that can go wrong in life. The experience and characters felt very realistic. I'll be thinking about this one for a while.
suedd's review against another edition
4.0
Quindlen leisurely describes her family in the first half of the book so that you can truly grasp the tragedy in the second half. Emotinally tough read.
vegprincess's review against another edition
4.0
To me it's more like 4.5 stars. I became really engrossed in the book, especially at around the half way point. I want to say more about it but I don't want to give anything away. It's definitely a book that will get you thinking and stay with you.