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

"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. This slow burn, is well worth the read."

Ellie

"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. 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. All of that said, wonderful writing and great plotting."