**3-Star Review: *The Last Word* by Hanif Kureishi**

*The Last Word* by Hanif Kureishi is a thought-provoking, character-driven novel that explores themes of aging, identity, and the complexities of human relationships. The story centers on Harry, a retired writer who is approached by a young, ambitious editor to help complete his memoir. What follows is a darkly comedic, yet poignant exploration of the ego, legacy, and the tensions between Harry and his editor, who gradually reveals more of his own personal ambitions and insecurities.

Kureishi’s writing is sharp and often witty, with his trademark ability to dissect human desires and weaknesses with a keen eye. The dialogue is snappy, and Harry is an interesting, if flawed, protagonist whose bitterness about the decline of his career and his place in the world provides a compelling lens through which to examine themes of mortality and relevance. The tension between Harry and his editor provides much of the novel’s emotional drive.

However, the pacing can feel slow at times, and the novel occasionally lapses into long, introspective passages that may alienate readers looking for a more plot-driven story. Additionally, while the character dynamics are engaging, the narrative feels somewhat predictable, and the resolution does not provide the emotional payoff it promises.

Overall, *The Last Word* is a solid, if not groundbreaking, read. It will resonate with readers interested in the themes of aging and legacy, but its slower pace and somewhat familiar character arcs may leave others wanting more depth or narrative excitement.

Kureishi is probably one of the funniest writers around. Amusing not in the sense of humorous, but because he entertains the reader in a very fine way, playing and mistreating his characters, putting them at odds with each other, presenting them as cowardly, cynical, manipulative, and yet at the same time in need of sympathy. Characters that are as realistic as possible. This is the case of the author on his twilight years, whose biography the young writer Henry has to write in order to revive his and his own fortunes a little, giving rise to a singular tussle whose very worthy seconds are all the supporting characters, each a little gem. Spectacular.

The Buddha of Suburbia & Intimacy both fall under the umbrella of my all time favorite books. So needless to say my expectations were quite high when I got my hands on The Last Word. Despite really interesting premise, Kureishi's poetic way with words and my general love for his work, unfortunately overall, The Last Word fell kind of flat for me.

Most of the book revolves around conversations/discussions between Harry, a writer at the start of his career, and Mamoon, a famous established writer who seems to be past his (writing) prime. Harry is supposed to write a biography about Mamoon and as he is expected to make the "story" juicy and potentially scandalous, the two men cover a wide range of topics such as art, love, marriage, sex.

The book was full of many really great quotes but somehow despite Kureishi's lovely writing style the tone of the book came across as philosophical musings that never come together as a story. It did make me think about the level of expectations placed on Kureishi and every new work he writes and the kind of pressure established writers face later on in their careers.

One of my favorite quotes from the book:
“I love the razor’s edge. I want to be cut open. My terror is of a bourgeois, ordinary life. I can’t bear the everyday constraint. I believe that ordinariness would put out my spark, such as it is.”

My gratitude to Scribner and Netgalley for gifting me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.