It's very interesting to talk about the generation of 50s and the 60s.And how this family changed over time. Nick was going into the service as an officer. Met his future wife in washington d c. She was very smart.She was going to get a phd , but she took time off from that. They got married and they started the fifties lifestyle. Nick gotten involved because he was a lawyer and somehow he got mixed up in the c.I.A. He went to iran To negotiate oil deals. This was actually Cover By the c. I. A. To put the other person in Power. He's got a very normal life. His friend.
Was very wealthy decided to ask them to buy a house up in Vermont. The friend owned this land. They called it the last house. My wife loved it because you're so busy doing everything. The kids grew up in a very idealistic world.But then they started to change in the sixties. Catherine , start it to work for radical newspaper , new york city. She was caught up with them all the protests and stuff like that and you can hear it in her voice. Her brother henry didn't know what he wanted to do in life so he decided to join them. This writer was very interesting how she wove. Different plots. Please explain how these children were changing.. I had a black friend.She was very close to and things came to a head when you all met up in the house and vermont. The parents were away on their trips. Your mother really didn't feel comfortable on these trips. N I c k was growing up , he did not have a lot of money in his father's very abused. But he seemed to overcome that, but his brother died. When he was fishing he always reminded me of his brother. He was mad at henry because he did not live Up to his expectation.
Very interesting book. How things changed from the fifties to the sixties days.

Last House by Jessica Shattuck is a compelling family saga that spans nearly eight decades, drawing readers into the lives of the Taylor family starting in 1953. The novel’s focus on the oil industry provides a unique backdrop, as seen from the surprising partial list of oil-based products at the book's beginning. The story captures the family's journey as they navigate the changes of the 1960s and 1970s, with each generation's hopes and desires reflecting the evolving societal landscape. The purchase of an old home during a vacation becomes a central refuge for the family, offering a contrast to the turbulent realities of the world outside. Shattuck masterfully weaves in significant historical events and shifts, offering a rich tapestry of political, social, and cultural changes from the 1940s to the 2020s. The narrative's depth and attention to detail provide a vivid portrayal of the era's transformations and their impact on the family.

While the novel offers a fascinating historical perspective, it is not without its flaws. The expansive timeline sometimes results in a disjointed narrative, particularly during Nick's overseas ventures, which may not captivate all readers. The early parts of the book are engaging, especially the portrayal of the 1960s and their impact on the family. However, the story's pacing slows in the middle sections, making it challenging to stay fully immersed. The conclusion, although more engaging, feels rushed and could have benefited from more development. Despite these issues, Last House remains an intriguing read for those who appreciate multi-generational family sagas and historical fiction. Shattuck's ability to evoke the essence of each era and her exploration of the oil industry's influence on everyday life add a unique dimension to this literary work. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this review!

Last House is a complicated 20th century American saga, one of my favorite genres. It takes place in the New England/New York area, mainly during the time period 1950-1968 and follows a family working and growing up during that tumultuous time. The house of the title is a second home for the family, a refuge. The characters are complex. Dad is a WWII veteran who works as a lawyer for an American oil conglomerate, doing complicated deals with foreign countries, yet he can’t see what is happening with his son under his own nose. Mom is predictably stifled but applies her intelligence to raising and knowing her children. They’re growing up during the idyllic post-war period but have yet to learn the lies we tell ourselves about our country, the way what it asks of us - soldiers, men, women, families - tears us apart. I especially appreciated the way the author took the kids from babyhood to the end, revealing that who they always were remained who they are. The same is true with the parents, but they have each in their own way compartmentalized their true natures so as to move along in the world that has changed so much for them. The pace of the last chapters was much faster than the rest, understandably to tie things up, but I felt sad to see all that drama so compressed. This is one I’ll read again, for sure. Many thanks for NetGalley and the publisher, William Morrow, for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is a big story of a small family. Spanning the years after WW2 (and a bit before) up to and including two years out from now, Shattuck engages big picture questions (about the machine of war, about idealism, about climate change, about regime change, about generational difference and trauma) through the lens of Nick and Bet Taylor and their children Harry and Katherine. The "Last House" refers to a house commandeered by the family and some of their friends in the woods of Vermont, an "end of the world" kind of home, metaphorically and in some ways literally. The value and efficacy of protests to effect societal change is also woven through the book - this issue as explored by Shattuck really resonated with me personally. Recommended for lovers of intelligent, engaging multigenerational family sagas with political overtones. Thanks to William Morrow and NetGalley for the E-Arc.

Really great dual timeline novel from Jessica Shattuck, author of The Women in the Castle. I loved that book, but this one is even better (if that's possible. In the 1950's, your stereotypical family buys a host in a remote valley in Vermont. The house is called Last House and it's an escape from the worries of the day. It's an interesting family: Nick, having survived WW2 is now a lawyer, and his wife Elizabeth (Bet for short) was a codebreaker. Now a housewife, Bet looks for things she can do that are meaningful, in addition to raising their two children and creating a happy home for Nick. Fifteen years later, Bet & Nick's children Harry and Katherine are trying to find their own ways among the tumult of the late 60's. But their directions are very different from that of their parents, and they struggle to understand each other. Last House remains a source of comfort for all of them...until it isn't.

Full of pathos and drama, things that aren't quite what they seem and people who also aren't quite what they pretend to be, Last House explores a world in transition and its effects on everyone that Nick and Bet love. A compelling read, hard to put down, and worth every page.

I went into 𝗟𝗔𝗦𝗧 𝗛𝗢𝗨𝗦𝗘 by Jessica Shattuck knowing little about it, and found myself pleasantly surprised throughout. The story had 3 qualities that really work for me: its era, family, and the settings. These combined to create a truly top tier read.⁣⁣
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It begins at the end of WWII and closely follows Nick, Bet and their two children, Katherine and Harry, for 30+ years. Shattuck encapsulated so much of the mid-century into her novel. As time moved, so did this family’s story. Different members took leading roles when appropriate.⁣⁣
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The Taylor family was one I found realistic and fascinating. Nick’s career and the things Bet gave up were the foundation of this story. Layered on top were their relationships to each other, to friends, their children and the vacation home all came to love. Topping it all off was the close bond between siblings Katherine and Harry.⁣
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“I was afraid that Harry would die, but I was also afraid he would become like my father: firm and serious, a dark and unknowable crater at the center of his self.”⁣⁣
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The settings in this book were truly special. From their vacation house in Vermont, to Nick’s work in Iran securing oil rights for U.S. companies, to NYC in the era of Vietnam, Shattuck always created a vivid sense of place and time.
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“We were privileged and clueless and arrogant—we actually thought we could understand what it was like to be, for instance, Black or poor or drafted, despite being white and almost entirely middle or upper class...”⁣⁣
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My only fault has to do with the book’s last chunk which felt like an overly long epilogue. I’d have been happier had it either gone deeper or was shortened. Nonetheless, 𝘓𝘢𝘴𝘵 𝘏𝘰𝘶𝘴𝘦 was a true slice of 20th century Americana and one I highly recommend. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

This novel starts in the 1950s, from the perspective of Nick, a WWII veteran working for the company American Oil who is encouraged by the CIA to help with reinstalling the Shah in Iran, and his wife Bet, who started out with bigger educational and career aspirations but has put them aside to be a wife and mother to their two young children Katherine and Harry. Most of part one of the book is set over just a few years of their life, told in the 3rd person. Part two is then a first person narration from the perspective of their daughter Katherine looking back many years later to the time when she was in her 20s in the 1960s and falls in with a group of activists. Part three starts in the immediate aftermath of part two, then quickly jumps forward into their present, ending a few years in the future from our present time.

A family drama with a strong setting in history and with historical events, this book somehow manages to be both sweeping and yet so intimate, illuminating the backdrop events of the time while also being more concerned with how it all affects the characters. It’s a bit slow of a read for a relatively short book, but the writing was absolutely wonderful. If I had to compare it to something else, I’d say maybe Alice McDermott’s Absolution. I also enjoyed Jessica Shattuck’s book The Women in the Castle, but thought this one was even better.

To me, this is heavy literary fiction, and I think I'm starting to realize that this genre is not my jam... I'd be really interested to hear other people's thoughts and takeaways, but I found it challenging to grasp the purpose of this book. I wasn't engaged with the plot, and without a strong connection to any characters, it was a chore to continue picking it up. Just when I thought some 'juicy' (for lack of a better word) plot point was about to occur, it didn't. The book is divvied up until multiple parts - the first 3 parts cover a certain individual in the Taylor family and their POV. Then the last part combines these 3 characters and covers all of their POVs. The first part/character covered is Nick Taylor, the patriarch of the family, and I found this to be the most tedious part. And since it starts the book, I found it to be especially slow going. The book is a little over 300 pages, and now that I'm done, I'm left here thinking, "Why?" Again, maybe if I could figure out the point made by the story in general, I'd be understanding or even appreciative of the length of this book, but I'm not holding my breath on that front. One thing I will say is that the cover is gorgeous, so at least there's that?

had heard of Jessica Shattuck's previous books but had not read any personally so I was not sure what to expect.

Last House is more of a story that has some references to historical events but I would not call it historical fiction. The story starts post WW2 and continues for decades focusing on two families. The house (Last House) could be considered a character of the story. I didn't feel connected to any of the characters.

This is a case, I believe, that not all books are for all people. It wasn't that the writing was poor. I just found the story to be boring. I was forcing myself to pick it up and after 30% I have decided to throw in the towel.

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

thank you netgalley for the e-arc. often times, books spanning decades with important details are not done well. however, this one was masterful keeping the story going and seamlessly telling the story throughout the years. the first 2/3 of the book went slowly but i guess that's to layout the groundwork. its also a cool aspect when books like this focus on a constant detail, which oil was in this one. i kinda learned things about the oil trade? i think readers would enjoy this most through audiobook.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC of this book. This was an interesting read and touched on so much history. The story was quite slow but well worth the read. The family drama/saga aspect was very well done and kept me engaged.

This book exceeded all of my expectations. There was a little bit of everything, but the family drama is really what drew me in. If that's a genre you like, I would really encourage you to read this book.

Set through generations, this is the true definition of a family saga. Each generation is so different from the one they came from, and this book touches up on the events and tribulations that each deals with. Seeing it from their point of view (vs. media input and NPR articles on social media) makes things more understandable for readers from different generations. Some of the story lines are slower than others, but for the span of the book it holds the reader's attention and lets us question how previous generations affect the newer.

A family drama starting in the 1950s and following the family to the 1970s and then to 2026 while noting historical events and signs of the times as they change. This was a slower pace than I would have liked, but sped up by the end. Politics and radicalism are prevalent to the storyline. I finished it and liked it, but unfortunately at times this one fell flat for me making it a slower read.

I’m enjoying the round of new releases that highlight the Vietnam War and the turbulent times and changes that took place during the 1960’s and 1970’s. Last House is part historical fiction, part family drama and focuses on the Taylor family, their remote family cottage in Vermont, the oil industry, and the volatile political events of the time. Reading this will transport you back to your childhood days (if you’re a Gen X-er like me). I’ve read reviews calling Last House sweeping and transcendent and I’d have to agree. Highly recommend this and think it would make a great book club book.

Thank you to William Morrow and NetGalley for this ARC.

There’s enough historical material about the oil industry and Iran in the 70s to make me want to finish reading it but overall I found the pace to be too slow and the characters were not as interesting as I had hoped. This ARC was provided by William Morrow publishing via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is such an interesting story about a family. It is a multigenerational saga, telling a powerful story about the Taylor family. It has all the topics I love in a story: love, relationships, marriage, sibling relationships and the choices we all make throughout our lives and how those individual life choices we make impact those we love, especially our family. I enjoyed this book, which is set mainly during the 1950's and 1960's, and how these years during the Vietnam war, with social activism and the pursuit of wealth and economic gain ultimately impacted this family by the choices they each made in their lives. I also loved that the Last house became a central character in the story. It is told and written so beautifully. It was dramatic and tragic, but also touching and insightful.
Thank you, Net Galley, the publisher and the author for the advanced copy.

I'm going to go with a scarce 4-stars for this one; in general, I thought it was quite good, but I had some major issues with it. While there is definitely a historical fiction aspect to it, it really was more of a family saga, and that was where it hooked me. It's a detailed account of one family - their struggles and successes, their dysfunctional but loving relationships. Because of this, I felt the descriptions of Nick's time in Iran to be a bit more detailed than necessary. While they were certainly relevant, I was far more interested in the family dynamic, so the Iran passages were more filler to me. The character development was spectacular; because the book focused on a single family of four, there was so much room to build them from the ground up so the reader truly understood who they were and how they evolved over time. The family's story was told through the perspectives of different family members over time; the author did a good job of weaving them together in a way that flowed seamlessly. The writing was quite vivid and descriptive, without a lot of unnecessary prose or phrasing. Overall, I enjoyed this book quite a bit!

I absolutely loved this book and was blown away by the author’s writing. While the plot was an interesting one, I’d describe this as a character based book. Shattuck developed each character well, and I felt like I understood them on a deep level. I think she did a particularly good job painting the differences and similarities between the Greatest Generation and the Baby Boomers. I found myself highlighting so many passages on my kindle because the writing was really so beautiful. This is a great read for fans of Ann Napolitano’s Hello Beautiful.

I sadly did not finish this book, even though I had high hopes for it and it was a much anticipated release of 2024 for me. It was just not for me.