An epic dysfunctional family saga reminiscent of Jonathan Franzen. This novel has a lot more depth and complexity than the author’s previous novel, The Plot, but it’s just as readable and filled with characters you will love and also ones you’ll love to hate.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for my digital copy in exchange for an honest review. I am not going to lie...this one didn't really do it for me at all. It started with how LONG the damn book is because when I opened it, Kindle told me I had over 10 hours of reading. Please, what the heck has to drag on so long that it takes 10 hours??? Needless to say, I found out. Also, on the very first page, I was already having to look stuff up to see what it meant...and I am sad to say, that continued throughout the entire book...well, the words I didn't know continued, I stopped looking them up about halfway through. I didn't like any of the characters... some I even downright despised. If it were not a Netgalley book, I would have stopped reading probably on the first chapter...but as I have only DNF on one incredibly racist book with Netgalley, I had to continue with this one...I don't want to become known to not finish. Once I make it through my 200 books or whatever I have left, I am going to be much pickier about what I request.

This is a family drama with a heavy emphasis on the drama. Slowly we learn about the Oppenheimer triplets - 3 siblings who have never had a relationship with each other and their sole focus is on getting out of the family home. They were conceived with the help of IVF but at the time there were 4 viable embryos - the fourth being held back in the event the others didn't take. It's the fourth "triplet" that brings the story and family together and the entire tone of the story changes.

Thank you @celadonbooks and @netgalley for my complimentary digital copy.

This book has been on my TBR list for a couple of years, and after binge-reading THE PLOT and THE SEQUEL over a weekend, I decided it was finally time to dive into THE LATECOMER since I already had it on my Kindle. I was excited to explore more of this author's work. However, I may have erred in assuming THE LATECOMER would be another suspenseful read. Instead, it felt more like a meandering coming-of-age or women's fiction novel. I found myself waiting for a significant twist or any thrilling moment! Known for her intricate plots and rich character development, this book certainly delivers on that front. The story unfolds at times through the third person perspectives of each character; at other times, the person telling the story refers to the parents as “our father” or “our mother” and I realized that the latecomer was the narrator. It wasn't until I was 73% through the book that Phobe, the latecomer, finally appears. While the story does gain some momentum at this point, I was ready for it to conclude by then!

I tried reading this book 2 different times. It just started out too slow for me and I could never get into it. Thank you for the copy. I am giving it 3 stars anything less would be unfair to the author and anything more would be unfair to the reader.

I could not get into this. The characters were unlikeable and the story building was slow. Did not finish.

Jean Hanff Korelitz's "The Latecomer" is a captivating novel that delves deep into the complexities of family dynamics. The story centers on the Oppenheimer family, a wealthy New York clan with a complicated history. We follow them from the initial meeting of the parents, Salo and Johanna, through the birth of their triplets via IVF, and all the way to the unexpected arrival of a much younger fourth child.

The narrative unfolds slowly, offering a rich tapestry of the characters' lives, their dreams, disappointments, and the secrets they harbor. Each sibling in the trio of triplets yearns for independence and struggles to connect with their parents and each other. Johanna, the mother, grapples with loneliness and a yearning for a more fulfilling existence.

The arrival of the "latecomer" throws the already strained family dynamic into further disarray. Korelitz masterfully explores the impact this unexpected addition has on each member, forcing them to confront their own desires and the dysfunctional patterns within the family.

"The Latecomer" tackles a range of significant themes, including grief, guilt, generational trauma, privilege, and the complexities of parent-child relationships. While some might find the pacing a bit slow at times, the character development is superb, and the story rewards patient readers with a deeply affecting exploration of human nature.

Overall, this is a thought-provoking and emotionally resonant novel that will stay with you long after you turn the last page. Recommend to fans of intricate family dramas and those who appreciate nuanced character portrayals.

I think I might have enjoyed this book more if I listened to it via audiobook on long commutes. Don't get me wrong, the premise of the book was great, a wealthy family in NYC and drama that comes with it, and of one character pursuing IVF. I have a personal affiliation with IVF, so this certainly spoke to me. However, the rest of the book seemed very slow-paced and I started to lose interest. I'm still interested in reading what JHK has to offer as I am hearing very good things about, The Plot she has also written.

A very realistic look at complicated family life. Marriage. Siblings. And life. Fascinating - draws you in like a bad wreck, you just have to finish it.
Triplets raised in a dysfunctional family cannot wait for the freedom of life after high school. Desperate to break away from their parents and each other.
Facing an empty nest, Johanna decides to have another baby.
This was a tough one for me - the repetition, the unnecessary length.

The premise of The Latecomer is so fascinating to me, and I so wanted to love this book, but the pace is so slow that after 149 pages (34%), I have to DNF. I'm trying to force myself to read and care about these characters who just aren't very interesting to me and aren't good people. They aren't even bad in interesting ways - they're just bland and insufferable. I wish the execution of the book had lived up to the premise because I really thought this would be one I enjoyed.

Very slow build. Told from different characters POVs. It was an interesting read I just struggled getting through the buildup. All in all though it was well written and a great story.

Give me a multi-layered dysfunctional family drama any day and I will gobble it up. Chock full of unlikeable characters I don’t know why I was compelled to keep reading but I devoured this in a day and loved the themes of identity, class, sexuality and race. Although it was a slow burn I felt the pacing was perfect to help understand the complexity of the characters and I felt overall satisfied with how their stories concluded. It

The Latecomer is about the Oppenheimer family that includes three triplets Sally, Harrison, and Lewyn. When the triplets are finally ready to leave the nest and eager to escape from each other, their mother decides to have another child.
This was a really captivating book that kept me hooked from the first page. It really focuses on the relationships between the family members and how a new child changes the dynamic for everyone. It had some really interesting twists that made it quite difficult to put down.

I've never read a novel by this author before so I have to say I was impressed by this book . I'd like to thank both the author and netgalley for the opportunity .

This is a profound and witty family story. Thanks for the review copy. I learned a lot about privilege, race, religion, traditions, and family dynamic.

THE LATECOMER is another example of how Korelitz can develop a complex, but completely all-encompassing novel. The people in this book showcase a family saga that will live within your mind for long after you have finished.

I really enjoyed this book. It is a definite character novel, not a lot happens, it is not plot driven in any way. There are things that happen but if you're waiting for a large climax that's not how it plays out. It is a great exploration between siblings and at the beginning even a marriage. Highly recommend.

"The Latecomer" by Jean Hanff Korelitz ventures into the intricate tapestry of the Oppenheimer family, exploring their journey from a tragic beginning to a fractured present. The novel unfolds gradually, revealing the complexities of grief, guilt, privilege, and family dynamics. While some may appreciate the profound exploration of these themes, my experience with the book left me wanting more.

One of the primary challenges I encountered with "The Latecomer" was its slow pacing. The narrative builds deliberately, perhaps too much so for my taste. The gradual unfolding of events made it difficult for me to stay engaged, and at times, I found myself yearning for a more dynamic and brisk plot progression. The pacing, unfortunately, hindered my ability to fully immerse myself in the story, leading to a disconnect between the characters and their experiences.

The novel's language, while undoubtedly crafted with care, posed another stumbling block for me. The wording felt convoluted at times, making it challenging to follow the narrative effortlessly. While I appreciate the linguistic richness, there were instances where the prose seemed unnecessarily intricate, obscuring the clarity of the storytelling. This linguistic complexity contributed to the overall sense of detachment I experienced as a reader.

Despite these reservations, Korelitz does succeed in weaving together a tapestry of themes encompassing generational trauma, race, traditions, and religion. Exploring these topics is undoubtedly thought-provoking, and the novel's depth reflects the author's skill in character studies. The Oppenheimer family, with its flawed members and intricate relationships, serves as a canvas for examining the intricacies of human experience.

In conclusion, "The Latecomer" is a novel that demands patience and a willingness to delve into its intricacies. While some readers may appreciate the deliberate pacing and linguistic complexity, others, like myself, might find these aspects challenging. Despite its depth of exploring various themes, the book falls short of delivering a compelling and engaging reading experience. I would give "The Latecomer" a 2 out of 5 stars rating, as it left me yearning for a more accessible and briskly-paced narrative.

"The Latecomer" unfolds the narrative of the affluent Oppenheimer family based in New York City, tracing their journey from the poignant initial meeting of parents Salo and Johanna to the birth of their triplets through IVF. The siblings, Harrison, Lewyn, and Sally, lack a strong familial connection and eagerly anticipate pursuing their individual paths. However, as their father grows more distant and their mother increasingly desperate, the family fractures. Upon the triplets' departure for college, Johanna, grappling with solitude, decides to have a fourth child. How will this "latecomer" reshape the dynamics of this fractured family? The novel spans the Oppenheimer triplets' lives from their parents' 1960s marriage to 2017.

Each chapter unfolds through the perspective of a different family member: Johanna, Harrison, Sally, Lewyn, and Salo. Despite their lack of likability and immersion in privileged and first-world problems, the narrative voice compels readers to delve deeper into their stories. Phoebe stands out as an exception. The gripping narrative voice, coupled with an underlying tension, keeps readers captivated and on edge. This complex character study delves into themes of identity, sexuality, race, class, and belonging, offering a compelling and engaging reading experience that's hard to put down.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for sending a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book has a compelling premise but falls short in execution. While the novel introduces intriguing characters and weaves an intricate narrative, the pacing feels uneven, causing the story to become quite slow and drag on at various points. Korelitz's writing style is undoubtedly eloquent, but the plot's potential is hindered by a lack of cohesion, leaving readers grappling with moments of confusion. Additionally, the resolution of key plot points may leave some unsatisfied, as loose ends are tied up in a somewhat rushed manner. Despite these drawbacks, the book still manages to deliver moments of emotional resonance and introspection, making it a worthwhile read for those who appreciate character-driven stories, as long as they are aware before reading that the overall pacing is quite slow.