An ambitious novel, spanning generations of a family through the decades opens in the early 1950s, when Nick Taylor, an attorney for an American oil company in oil rich Iran , marries Bet (Elizabeth) , now a housewife but formerly a US government code breaker during WWII. The story will begin with the Taylors and continue to the lives of their children, grandchildren and even great grandchildren. That is quite a big chunk of family history.

Iranian politics in the Shah’s era through the succeeding leader and finally the religious revolution seemed at first like the main thrust of the book but quickly, back and forth, the reader is thrust into the,lives of their offspring, Katharine and Harry, along with the radical politics of the 1960s USA. The Vietnam War and the civil rights become part of Katharine’s world as she takes on the job of reporter for a very left leaning newspaper. Her life will be forever changed.

Last House itself, is a family retreat in Vermont, once owned by a family with the name Last. It is there that Bet and her loved ones find solace from the daily grind of life in the city. It is also featured (think double entendre ) as the final place of family refuge after an unthinkable power outage takes over most of the country, just as Bet is celebrating her 79 th birthday. Whew. A lot is going on, sometimes so much so fast that it’s hard to ride with the motion. Other times the story slows down making the pace rather uneven- the reason I rated this four instead of five stars.

The Last House is a good read for those who enjoy bold characterization and reading about family relationships and drama throughout the 20 century. There was so much history that rang true for me as I thought of where I was and what I was doing when these historical events took place. My thanks to NetGalley and William Mortow for an advance reader’s copy in exchange for my review. Publication date is soon, May 14, 2024.

In "Last House" by Jessica Shattuck, readers are transported back to the tumultuous 1970s, a time when the world was gripped by the frenzied pursuit of oil and the echoes of war reverberated across continents. Through the eyes of Nick, Bet, and their daughter Katherine, Shattuck masterfully navigates the complex landscape of patriotism, ambition, and the quest for identity in an age defined by the relentless march of consumerism.

The novel opens with a poignant exchange that sets the tone for the exploration that follows. The juxtaposition of ancient empires with the burgeoning American ambition serves as a powerful backdrop against which the characters grapple with their own roles in shaping the course of history. As Nick and Bet embark on their mission to secure oil in the Middle East, readers are drawn into a world where the lines between duty and desire blur, and the consequences of their choices ripple far beyond their own lives.

One of the novel's greatest strengths lies in its ability to blend fact with fiction seamlessly. While anchored in historical events such as the opulent parties of the Shah of Iran, Shattuck weaves a narrative that feels at once familiar and revelatory. The docks of the oil refinery may be a product of imagination, but their significance within the larger tapestry of the story is undeniable.

At its core, "Last House" is a story about family, love, and the pursuit of the American dream. Against the backdrop of a rapidly changing world, Nick, Bet, and Katherine navigate the highs and lows of their relationships, grappling with the tension between ambition and authenticity. Through their struggles and triumphs, Shattuck invites readers to reflect on the enduring complexities of human connection and the timeless quest for meaning in a world driven by progress.

In conclusion, "Last House" is a captivating exploration of the human experience set against the backdrop of a pivotal moment in history. With its richly drawn characters, evocative setting, and thought-provoking themes, it is a novel that lingers in the mind long after the final page is turned. Jessica Shattuck has crafted a masterful work that offers both insight into the past and relevance for the present, cementing her place as a storyteller of remarkable talent and depth.

A very well written historical reminder of where we came from - how we got here and how our problems and mistakes are often the same as those who came before us.
I could identify with the Bet and Nick - they were much like my parents and Katherine and Harry could have been people I grew up with. Very interesting to see that my world view of the 60's and 70's was much the same.
A definite must read and perfect book club selection.

This is the year of the female-focused Vietnam War era book and I am finding them all fascinating; Last House by Jessica Shattuck included. Fans of family sagas will be completely engrossed as the characters are developed through their own coming-of-age stories spanning from WWII to current day. The technique of having a house being a touch point throughout the book gives the reader a unique lends through which to see each character age and evolve to interact with the property and each other in different ways. I will highly recommend this book to all our patrons and am sure it will appeal to a wide variety of readers.

I enjoyed this book, but was really confused how everything was going to wrap up in the end. It felt like some parts were dragged out a bit, but overall I was happy with how it came together in the end.

“The Last House” is a multi-generational story set between 1953 and the present time. It covers the CIA’s involvement in politics in Iran returning the Shah to power, civil rights, radical war protesters, and eco terrorism in the late 60s.

Bet, a code breaker, meets Nick Taylor in 1943 right before he leaves to serve. They marry and have 2 children. Nick is a lawyer for an oil company and Bet is a housewife. They purchase a weekend home named “Last House” in Last Valley and it becomes central to the story of the Taylor family.

The characters are all well-developed and we get a strong sense of what motivates them.

Thank you to NetGalley for my review copy.

Last House by Jessica Shattuck was a beautifully written family saga featuring the Taylors: Nick, a lawyer for an oil company and Bet, a housewife with a secret past, as they raise spirited Katherine and sensitive Harry. The story begins in 1953 when Nick and Bet are getting their family established and purchase "Last House," a rustic cabin in the isolated Vermont woods. The plot moves forward as Katherine and Harry grow up and question their parents' values and way of life. The Vietnam War era brought lots of changes to the family and we as readers are brought along on their journey.

Last House was a character study of the Taylors and how they interacted and how the changes in the world around them affected their relationships. The pacing was even, and the short chapters kept things moving even though there was not a lot of action. The mystery of what happened to Harry kept me swiping the pages.

The writing was eloquent and almost lofty in its philosophical musings. I found myself skimming some of the heavier sections. The jump in time at the end was satisfying to read.

I will recommend this to readers who like literary family sagas.

Thank you to William Morrow and NetGalley for the digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

The Last House is a family saga that spans multiple decades. The story for me was a slow read and didn’t really hold my attention. The characters were shallow and just boring.
Thank you NetGalley and William Morrow for an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Nick and Bet fall in love and marry; they have two children, Katherine and Harry. Nick, a World War II veteran with memories, works for the oil industry. With ties to Iran, he is instrumental in seating the Shah on the throne. He and Bet are successful; they own two homes and provide their children with “opportunities” and connections. After college Katherine teaches in a private school in Manhattan. Traumatized by the death of Martin Luther King, she reverses direction and becomes a journalist for a radical news source, meeting activists, some militant, even violent. Harry, a lover of nature, drops out of college to join the military. Rejected, he drifts and finds purpose in his sister’s friend group. Jessica Shattuck’s novel has an atmosphere from the outset of discontent and disappointment; no one is satisfied. One generation accumulates material possessions; the other seeks power. Greed dominates while fighting establishments. It takes profound loss to teach them that what they seek can be found in the qualities of each family member. This should have been enough. Only in retrospection and regret do they find answers.

I love me a story like this! It kept me captivated from the first chapter. I just think a wide variety/range of people will really enjoy this! I recommend.

I received an ARC of this novel from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

A moving story about a family and a house that they loved. I love the characters who are flawed and so real. Their losses hurt me, I cheered for their triumphs, and the ending was perfect.

I enjoyed Last House. It is a family saga covering the years just following WWII through the 1960s, with a small bit of tying up loose ends around the end of the century. The story begins with the thrill of being newly upper middle class and the joy of first parenthood. Most of the book is spent during this time and the following generation. Nick and Bet have left behind their WWII activities; he as a war veteran, she as a codebreaker. They settle into middle-class affluence and start a family. As was the norm then, Bet leaves her aspirations and becomes a wife and mother, while Nick is a lawyer brokering deals between US oil companies and Middle Eastern countries. The book's second section covers Nick and Bet's daughter and son, who come of age during the era of protests against racial inequality, the war in Vietnam, and big oil companies. The novel is more a history lesson than a family story, as the plot lines are not fully fleshed out. Yet it is less a history lesson than a fictionalized series of events, as so much of history during Nick and Bet's story is omitted. The characters are quite well-developed, especially Bet and Katherine. Jessica Shattuck's writing is smooth, but there is depth underlying the straightforward wording. This is a book for readers who enjoy elegant writing and not those looking for a strong character-driven plot. Thank you to William Morrow and NetGalley. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book provided by William Morrow via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

"The Last House" is a novel that intricately blends a broad historical narrative with the detailed account of a single family's journey. Set in the 1950s, the plot unfolds around Nick Taylor, a World War II veteran and corporate attorney, who perceives petroleum as the cornerstone of future prosperity. His spouse, Bet, who contributed to the war effort as a codebreaker, along with their offspring, relish the luxuries afforded by Nick’s profession, notably their private rural retreat, aptly named Last House. Advancing to the year 1968, the book captures a pivotal moment in American history marked by significant transformations, compelling the Taylor family to face the ramifications of their life decisions amidst a period of national tumult.

For aficionados of historical fiction and familial epics, "The Last House" stands out as a noteworthy selection. The book offers a vivid depiction of the American past, entwined with the individual narratives of family members steering through an era of societal shifts. It is recommended for readers who seek literature that not only narrates a tale but also contemplates the collective human condition.

I don’t think this was for me. I struggled to determine the point of the book. 😳🙈

It fell flat for me.
And it was hard to want to pick it up when I wasn’t particularly attached to any of the characters.

I always love a family saga, so I knew I would enjoy LAST HOUSE! The time period wherein the book takes place is such a fascinating one, and I thought Jessica Shattuck did a fantastic job of developing the setting, as well as showing how important Last House was to these characters and to the narrative in general. The character development was great, and it was so engaging to follow the Taylor family over the years. I did think the pacing felt a little slow, particularly in the latter parts of the book, but I still found the story to be really well-done and absorbing overall! I would recommend it, especially to fans of historical fiction and stories that center around family. Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for the ARC.

I had a difficult time with the first third of this book. I wasn’t able to connect to the characters or the story. I’m glad stuck with it. Everything changed when I got to Katherine’s section. I started connecting with her and her brother Harry, and through them their parents Nick and Bet who I previously wasn’t vibing with.

The story spans 80 years and is told from multiple POV’s.

I loved the idea of Last House and felt the author really brought it to life for me. I could see myself living there.

There were a couple of things I didn’t see coming, provided a roller coaster of emotions and gave me a lot to think about.

I’d like to thank the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC.

This is one of those books you fall in love with more and more as you continue reading and I was just not ready for it to end when I got there. I gave a big sigh, backed up my Kindle a few pages and re-read the ending all over. I loved this book. The character development is so personal. I felt for all the characters, Nick and Bet, they truly loved each other, they gave each other space, but they were always a couple.

The Last House, how much fun would that have been to have a second home where you could spend summers with your family away from the daily dread. Party game nite with other neighbors, time to enjoy.
It was easy to follow the timeline as the family grew and aged. I did have to think a little bit in the ending who was who since the family had grown.

I only had one small complaint, the travels in Iran, I felt it went into too much depth, I wanted to get back to the family and the Last House. I highly recommend as a family saga with a lot of heart and you can picture your own families. I wish I would have had a Last House.

I thank William Morrow along with NetGalley for providing this Galley edition for no requirement other than my offer to provide an unbiased review. This one comes in with high 5 stars.

This is a rare case where I wish a book was longer. Shattuck has a gift of writing and I wanted more! This is a book where there is more and more under the surface when you read. I enjoyed each perspective and how they intertwined together. It was equally heartbreaking and hopeful.

The Last House is a multi-generational saga that starts in the 50s and spans 80 years through the ancestors of patriarch Nick Taylor, a WWII veteran turned oil company lawyer. Nick and his wife Bet are hard working parents and part of the greatest generation, providing everything to their children they need, including a lake house in Vermont, their idyllic family retreat. The first half of the book describes Nick and Bess' backgrounds, careers, and family lives with their children Katherine and Harry. The character development here is great and very detailed. You get a personal look into their day to day lives, corporate politics, and the political temper of the US at that time, heading up to Vietnam. If you are of a certain age these could be your parents and the type of environment you grew up in.Flash forward to 1968 and we see Katherine rebelling against everything her father stood for. How this affects her family plays a large role in the book. This is a love story that covers family bonds, loyalty, and almost every historical event that happens up until the 2000s. The characters are richly developed and after a while you feel like part of their family.

Wow, this is a beautiful book filled with so much emotion and family history through the ages. I really enjoyed seeing the family through the years and what the house meant to them and provided for them.

A great book for book clubs, as there is a lot to discuss.

Thanks NetGalley for this ARC