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A review by karenstory
The Latecomer by Jean Hanff Korelitz

3.0

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.