The Latecomer
Books | Fiction / Coming of Age
4.2
Jean Hanff Korelitz
From the New York Times bestselling author of The Plot, Jean Hanff Korelitz’s The Latecomer is a layered and immersive literary novel about three siblings, desperate to escape one another, and the upending of their family by the late arrival of a fourth. The Latecomer follows the story of the wealthy, New York City-based Oppenheimer family, from the first meeting of parents Salo and Johanna, under tragic circumstances, to their triplets born during the early days of IVF. As children, the three siblings – Harrison, Lewyn, and Sally – feel no strong familial bond and cannot wait to go their separate ways, even as their father becomes more distanced and their mother more desperate. When the triplets leave for college, Johanna, faced with being truly alone, makes the decision to add a fourth child to the family. What role will the “latecomer” play in this fractured family? A complex novel that builds slowly and deliberately, The Latecomer touches on the topics of grief and guilt, generational trauma, privilege and race, traditions and religion, and family dynamics. It is a profound and witty family story from an accomplished author, known for the depth of her character studies, expertly woven storylines, and plot twists.
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More Details:
Author
Jean Hanff Korelitz
Pages
Publisher
Macmillan Audio
Published Date
2022-05-31
ISBN
1250839238 9781250839237
Ratings
Google: 5
Community ReviewsSee all
"Miserable rich people. It’s hard to imagine how the tale of an uncommunicative family obsessed with academic snobbery could be interesting, but like a bad car accident, you can’t avert your eyes, and you keep reading because you wonder how the victims of the crash are doing. The author at times seems to sneer at her own characters. The book is carefully and meticulously planned, everything is in the story for reason, and the tale is satisfying. Trigger warning: if you are among the 50% of the author’s potential book readers and book buyers who live in flyover country in the wrong colored state, here is how she uses one character to describe you: “noxious, unbearable opinions”, “vile”, “less and less palatable.”"
Robin Eschliman
"Was hoping for the suspense build up that was talked about but was just given a bland story that never felt there was an end. "
Ixchel Mireles
"Wonderful, witty, dry story about triplets who are very different t from each other. "
S A
Sally Allen
"Excellent writing. Holds you to the end!!!"
Eileen McCarthy
"This is a return to form for Korelitz after the somewhat disappointing The Plot. An exploration of the complexity of family dynamics — but Korelitz brings you into the world of the NYC upper class / Ivy League that is both sexy and unvarnished. I loved the narrative perspective of the family outsider here, created through a fluke of scientific engineering. So clever. Loved this book."
Julie Walsh
"I was hopeful when I heard about this book and looking forward to reading it, but it was a bit of a letdown. I almost didn't finish reading it. It was very slow going for me and the story didn't seem to pick up as much as I was hoping it would.<br/>This story is quite sad in parts and focuses a lot on the experiences of this family trying to live their life and then discovering as they've grown up that they've grown apart except then they realize they were never really that close, to begin with, it seems. The mother and father meet and marry in not the most ideal circumstances each with their own baggage that seems to permeate through everything It appears and then the mother is the one who wants children while it seems like the father isn't entirely sure but ends up going along with it. There is a bit discussed rather frankly about intimacy and infertility. They end up having triplets, but the 3 siblings are like strangers to each other as well as to the parents and the parents to each other. It's like all the family members are islands unto themselves floating apart and living life apart from each other even though they've grown up in the same house and whatnot. It was rather sad, strange, and a bit depressing as I read about their experiences and how they felt like strangers to each other. Toward the end of the book, things do change a bit for the better though with the coming of the last child into the family.<br/>Reading this can be a bit hard or triggering in parts in regards to infertility or challenging family relationships, situations, and such. There is some wording and language used when discussing intimacy, infertility, and such that is a bit blunt or maybe a bit weird/off-putting for some as well.<br/>Thanks to Celadon Books and NetGalley for letting me read and review this story. All thoughts and opinions are my own. #TheLatecomerBook #CeladonReads"
Annette W
"I enjoyed this book very much and it would have been a five star read but for the fact that it needed a another consistency read/edit. <br/><br/>For example, in one character's chapter there is mention of the fact that social media wasn't prevalent in 2001. In another character's chapter, social media is framed as very much part of the zeitgeist--in contradiction of what is said earlier/later and not in a way that was necessary to remain authentic to the characters. Put another way, someone may have forgotten both chapters were set in 2001 and failed to ensure social media was framed as it was utilized at that time. Moreover, one of the characters is extremely dislikable--fine, but his takes on 'wokeness' and cancel culture felt unrealistic (rather than prescient) given the timeframe/setting. <br/><br/>All of that said, wonderful writing and great plotting."
Uttara Dukkipati
"The cover couldn’t be more perfect for this suspenseful, slow burn family drama. Pleasantly surprised with the dynamic of this family, as we follow their journey throughout the decades. Read as a documentary of sorts, hitting your with twists and turns as you turn the pages. All the while addressing some important topics. <br/>This slow burn, is well worth the read."
Ellie
