The Latecomer is a family drama full of complex people and relationships, where the tension slowly builds until it becomes unputdownable at the last 100 pages.
I had an audio and physical copy of this book, and I think combining them was the way to go. The narration by Julia Whelan is excellent, and it drew me into the story faster than the book did. While Korelitz is masterful at crafting scenes, describing emotions and reactions perfectly, she does tend to get a bit wordy. With the audiobook, I was able to really hear the rhythm of her language and appreciate her humor.
While none of the characters are particularly likable at first as they almost all try to distance themselves from their family, they all grow and mature. I felt like I knew them by the end of the book. I'd even be willing to invite them over for a clam bake.
There is a dry, situational humor throughout, too, that made me laugh out loud, such as the Mormons at the Jewish seder and the series of emails sent between Harrison and Phoebe.
If you like dysfunctional families, I definitely recommend this one. Not only does it explore relationships between parents and siblings, but also themes of loss, self-discovery, politics, and education. 4⭐️
I had an audio and physical copy of this book, and I think combining them was the way to go. The narration by Julia Whelan is excellent, and it drew me into the story faster than the book did. While Korelitz is masterful at crafting scenes, describing emotions and reactions perfectly, she does tend to get a bit wordy. With the audiobook, I was able to really hear the rhythm of her language and appreciate her humor.
While none of the characters are particularly likable at first as they almost all try to distance themselves from their family, they all grow and mature. I felt like I knew them by the end of the book. I'd even be willing to invite them over for a clam bake.
There is a dry, situational humor throughout, too, that made me laugh out loud, such as the Mormons at the Jewish seder and the series of emails sent between Harrison and Phoebe.
If you like dysfunctional families, I definitely recommend this one. Not only does it explore relationships between parents and siblings, but also themes of loss, self-discovery, politics, and education. 4⭐️