Last House by Jessica Shattuck is a poignant and sweeping family saga that explores the intersection of personal history and national change, set against the backdrop of mid-20th century America. The novel follows the Taylor family, from Nick Taylor, a WWII veteran turned lawyer, to his wife, Bet, a former codebreaker, and their two children, Katherine and Harry. The family is deeply entrenched in the comforts of post-war suburban life, with their secluded country retreat, Last House, symbolizing both their material success and the ideal of safety and stability they crave in a world still reeling from the effects of war.

Spanning from 1953 to 1968, Shattuck captures the social upheaval of the 1960s as Katherine grapples with the idealistic movements of the time, questioning the very world her parents have built for her. As America faces mounting protests over issues like the Vietnam War, civil rights, and environmental degradation, the Taylor family is forced to confront the contradictions in their lives and the costs of their choices.

Shattuck’s writing is rich with historical detail and emotional depth, exploring themes of privilege, idealism, and the burden of inheritance. The novel delves into the complexities of family dynamics, examining how generational beliefs are passed down, challenged, and ultimately reshaped. The Taylors’ story is both deeply personal and profoundly reflective of larger societal shifts, capturing the tension between progress and preservation, comfort and responsibility.

Last House is a beautifully crafted narrative that will resonate with readers who enjoy historical fiction that thoughtfully engages with both intimate family drama and the broader social forces that shape our world. Shattuck masterfully navigates the intersection of personal ambition and collective history, making this a compelling and thought-provoking read.

I received this as an advanced reader's copy through Netgalley and truly enjoyed the book. I'm coming to realize that I prefer character-driven stories to plot-driven stories. I like reading about someone's life as a whole - their thoughts, aspirations, feelings, interactions, etc. This novel revolves around the summer house of an oil-wealthy family. It's been a bit since I read it but I would say it had a lot of good drama (as opposed to roll-your-eyes drama), deep characters, interpersonal conflict and resolution, and interesting family dynamics. Pick it up if you're looking for an immersive family story.

Despite a promising beginning, Last House is spread too thinly across time, events, and themes to have a lasting impact. This is particularly disappointing because it's so well written. Jessica Shattuck offers a multi-generational saga that begins in 1953 and ends in 2026. It's rushed at the end, with several undefined characters thrown in, in an attempt to create resolution and a full circle that ties to the novel's opening chapters.

This family saga covers three generations. The story follows the family though the Cold War, the Viet Nam era with its protests , and into the more recent era with attention to environment, pollution, and climate change amid the background of school shootings, The titular Last House is a family refuge from the end of the world as it is in an isolated in a corner of the country. The takeaway from this book is that the different generations have different crises to avert, different values that are important, and different ways to go about changing. The book is engrossing and not without humor. Those of us of a certain age will find the setting and background familiar.

A sweeping generation tale! The family and cast of characters were so vibrant and the author allowed us to develop a genuine connection with each of them. Which made every perspective and time period fascinating.

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! No spoilers. Beyond amazing I enjoyed this book so very much. The characters and storyline were fantastic. The ending I did not see coming Could not put down nor did I want to. Truly Amazing and appreciated the whole story. This is going to be a must read for many many readers. Maybe even a book club pick.

I read a lot of WWII historical fiction. I was intrigued by this one because it takes place post war and into the Civil Rights Movement. Not only do we learn about Nick and Bet’s involvement in WWII and their secret roles that they weren’t allowed to discuss, even with each other, we all see their children and how they navigate a time of unrest in the US. Katherine wants to be involved in the movement, but how does that change her life, and the lives before her? Their different beliefs also have an effect on the relationships they have with each other.

I enjoyed reading their stories. It was interesting to see the snowball effect of the decisions and roles they played in the past and how it changed what was happening later in their lives.

Thank you William Morrow for my ARC of this book.

This book completely pulled me in. It’s one of those stories that makes you reflect on life, family, and how our pasts shape who we are. The characters are so well-written—flawed, real, and so relatable in their struggles to find connection and meaning.

What I loved most was how beautifully the little, everyday moments were captured. The writing has this quiet power that makes you stop and feel everything, from the heartbreak to the hope. It’s emotional without being overdone, and it leaves you thinking about your own choices and relationships long after you finish.

If you’re in the mood for something heartfelt and deeply human, this is one of those books that stays with you in the best way. It’s a quiet gem.

Last House by Jessica Shattuck is an ambitious historical novel that spans nearly eight decades, intricately weaving the personal lives of the Taylor family against the backdrop of American history. I am a fan of a sweeping multigenerational tale, so this one was right up my alley.

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for sharing this book with me.

Thank you to NetGalley, William Morrow, and Jessica Shattuck for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of Last House. It was a wonderful story about the life of a family living in America post WWII. I've read many books with stories set in Europe before, during, and after WWII, but I had never read a story focused on what it was like to live in America afterwards and the fears that went along with it.

It starts off in 1953 with the Taylor family living in the suburbs after their father, Nick Taylor, has served for his country. He takes the train in every day to work and their life appears to be free from danger and drama.

As the years go by, America begins to change with protests against Vietnam, Civil Rights matches, and other important issues like the threat of Russia and the Cold War. The Taylors decide to move out even farther to a very remote area in Vermont to live in their dream house where they feel they will be much safer. They intended to move where they could live off of the land and shelter in place if they were ever threatened by nuclear war.

However, things did not go exactly as planned when their children become involved in protesting and other increasing dangers. The Taylors eventually have to come to grips with the fact that no place is completely safe.

I thoroughly enjoyed the story set against the historical events of our nation's past. I think any historical enthusiast would enjoy reading this novel.

Last House by Jessica Shattuck is an ambitious family saga spanning post-WWII to 2026, chronicling the lives of Nick, Bet, and their children Katherine and Harry. While the Vermont home serves as a poignant anchor for the family’s joys and struggles, the narrative often glosses over significant events and lacks depth in key areas. Katherine’s political activism is compelling, but Harry’s perspective is notably absent, leaving his character underexplored. The pacing drags for much of the story, only to rush through the conclusion. Despite its strong start and realistic characters, the novel ultimately felt disjointed and less satisfying than it could have been. Three stars. Thanks to William Morrow and NetGalley for the ARC.

Last House is an ambitious, sweeping family novel. It follows one family over the course of many decades. This is my absolute favorite type of novel, so I was very excited about this one. What I liked: the scope. The more generations it covers, the better. The writing style and depth that made me really care for these characters. What I didn't like as much: there is a lot of "current events" information, which I usually enjoy, but it was a bit slow in some areas. I still recommend this. I think if you enjoyed Great Circle, for example, you'll really like this. Thank you to the publisher for my e-ARC!

Thank you, publisher and NetGalley for the early copy of this book.

I think I loved the concept and the writing more than the actual story. This sounded perfect for me, I adore family stories and the unique settings. I think I wanted more of Nick's side working with oil and dealing with Iran officials. I loved Katherine and her POV chapters. Her descriptions were so lush and so many sentiments are accurate in today's world.
Overall I truly enjoyed this book and would read this author in the future.

I am sorry for the inconvenience but I don’t have the time to read this anymore and have lost interest in the concept. I believe that it would benefit your book more if I did not skim your book and write a rushed review. Again, I am sorry for the inconvenience.

Last House by Jessica Shattuck, is a sweeping multigenerational family saga set against the backdrop of pivotal moments in American history. It explores themes of legacy, progress, and the moral complexities of social ideals over nearly 80 years.

The story follows the Taylor family, starting with Nick Taylor, a WWII veteran turned corporate lawyer for an oil company in 1953. Nick's work secures a life of privilege for his wife, Bet—a former codebreaker turned housewife—and their two children, Katherine and Harry. Their secluded Vermont estate, "Last House," offers an idyllic escape, symbolizing security and self-reliance in a turbulent world.

By 1968, as societal upheavals challenge the foundations of American life, the Taylor family's younger generation grapples with the contradictions between their privileged upbringing and the radical movements they are drawn to. The narrative delves deeply into the intersections of personal responsibility, societal progress, and the impact of generational choices.

Critics have praised Last House for its nuanced characters, historical depth, and emotional resonance. The book has been compared to The Dutch House and Great Circle, highlighting its ambitious scope and intimate portrayal of family dynamics. Shattuck's writing skillfully navigates the personal and the political, reflecting on America's changing identity and the cost of progress.

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publishing Company for this Advanced Readers Copy of Last House by Jessica Shattuck!

A family saga with some twist and turns. Two generations and the obvious way they see things differently, it is written so well you know all the family and grieve and celebrate with them.

Last Houst by Jessica Shattuck
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This story follows two generations of a family who own a house nicknamed Last House. Nick Taylor is a WWII veteran who now works for the oil business. He buys last house to have a safe place for his growing family. Later we follow his daughter, Katherine, who has a whole different set of values from her parents.
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This was a tough one for me. I love family dramas normally. But I prefer more everyday drama and this leaned strongly on the main differences between the parents and kids being more politically driven. Those types of stories aren’t as entertaining to me and tend to get me more riled up or bored.

Also Katherine was exceptionally annoying.

Often when there are strong political themes in a book it is somewhat obvious what political views the author holds dear as they make the opposite side look like idiots and extremely unlikeable characters. Last House didn’t seem like that type of book to me because at the end I still didn’t know what type of political message was trying to be said.

2⭐️⭐️ Not for me. This was a sad book that felt a little lost.

This is a family story that spans three generations from the 50's to the near future. I liked the earlier years covered more than the later years. Climate change its one of the themes in the novel, and how it is handled can be heavy handed at times.

Unfortunately, I did not finish. I tried several times and it just wasn’t a book I could get into.
I did love the cover, but I just wasn’t interested in the story.