I received this from Netgalley.com.

Wow, really good read. This book is kind of challenging. It's stuffed full of historical information with relatable characters who lived and survived the ups and downs of what life was like during those eras.

3.75☆

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC for review.

Last House is about a family. The narration alternates between the parents, who meet in the 1950s, and have two children. Later, their daughter narrates her life in the 1960s. I wouldn't say a lot happens in this novel but it's a great character study. Nick, the patriarch, is a lawyer who helps save American oil interests in the Middle East. Later, his daughter Katherine becomes involved in the anti-war, pro-rights movements that are so popular in the volatiles 1960s. The conflicting ideals between her generation and her parents' generation have devasting consequences on her family. I liked the setting of Last House, but felt some of the political parts (like when she wrote for the radical magazine) dragged on a bit.

Last House by Jessica Shattuck is a family story that covers many decades.The novel is rich with motivations and relationships..Nick Taylor is an oil company lawyer and his wife Bet was a cryptographer but is now a homemaker. They are the parents of Katherine and Harry.They spend summers at Last House in Vermont which was a place they all enjoyed.This book tells from different characters viewpoints things about Communism and the Cold War to feminism and racial protests.This book will be enjoyed by anyone who wants an overview of many events from differing perspectives.Thank you to William Morrow and NetGalley for allowing me to read this ARC!

A grand story spanning decades of our country’s history. A family whose decisions and choices have shaped them all in different ways.

When they have money, they buy a house. Lost House. A place where they can escape the craziness that is life moving forward. And their money comes from oil.

Moving on they will need to come to terms with all of their decisions.

NetGalley/ William Morrow May 14, 2024

I loved this book. It followed the story of a family who has been involved in the middle east with oil from the 50s, and the patriarch buys a home in the woods on a plot of land with other friends. The story sounds so simple in retrospect but it encompassed so many different human emotions and storylines throughout the entire thing. I really enjoyed the complex characters, the interweaving of history, but also the nitty gritty of real humans experiences as well. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys good multigenerational sagas. It was similar to, but more complex than the work of Kristin Hannah.

This ebook was provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Last House has a historical fiction element to it that ties into oil, Iran, and the counter-culture sixties, but for me, it was really about the Taylor family and their diverging perspectives. Nick and Bet are mostly happily married, but at the same time Bet longs for more while Nick seeks out the solidity of a marriage in the fifties. Bet is in some regards a woman before her time, incredibly curious and intelligent and stuck being a housewife. Nick works with the CIA and as a lawyer in the oil industry to bring the shah back to power in Iran and prop him up for the benefits of the oil and a hand in controlling the Middle East. We all know how that eventually played out, but it's also interesting to observe how little people were concerned about what the potential long-term consequences might be of playing politics in someone else's sandbox. Not only do Nick and Bet tend to be at odds with each other, but their daughter Katherine grows up to be a radical that rails out the established expectations of society and sees herself as a crusader for a better and more equal world. Often in the process conveniently overlooking the privileges that allow to continue the fight. One of the most interesting parts of the book for me was seeing how the times both generations grew up in had such a large impact on how they viewed the world - and how critical and confused they could be with each other. I think every generation experiences that with those who come before and after them, but I've never viewed my parents as out of touch the way Katherine does. I think the book is better for focusing on the relationships the family has with each other, but it's really nice to see Shattuck use the United States propping up oil and the shah in Iran as the historical backdrop, because I've haven't seen anyone else do it. I wouldn't say this book is exceptional, but I enjoyed reading it, and definitely thought it was thought-provoking. A complimentary copy of this book was provided by the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

LAST HOUSE is the exact kind of book I love best. Historical fiction set in an unusual period that reads like literary fiction AND that’s character driven. It’s right up my alley.

It might have been because I wasn’t in the mood for an understated book like LAST HOUSE, but I wasn’t totally enthralled with it the way I wanted to be. The book is written well, and some sections were easy for me to dig into, but others were less interesting to me. I didn’t care as much for the politics as I did the saga of the Taylor family, and maybe that’s where the story got stagnant for me.

The story centers around a home - Last House in Vermont - and takes readers from the 1950s to the 2020s, highlighting the social upheavals, wars and politics of the times. After the first quarter, it moved very slowly and proceeded tediously.

I just didn’t totally connect with these characters, but I can see that many will enjoy it and its quiet beauty.

Thank you to Net Galley and publisher William Morrow for the advance digital copy of LAST HOUSE in exchange for my honest review.

Last House is a sweeping, multi-generational saga that begins in the 1950s and extends to current day (actually 2025). The first page introduction to the multitude of diverse, seemingly random and expected uses of oil in our current day life is the perfect precursor to the Taylor family story of Nick and Bet, and then of their children Katherine and Harry. Upper middle class privilege is at war at home and abroad for the family, whose generations both massively benefit and then actively protest against the geo-politics of oil both in the US and Middle East. From Nick's tour in Vietnam to Katherine's radical protests and ideology, the reader is drawn into the choices of each generation to make the world better, and the often boomerang choices that their offspring will follow in rebellion.

For those of us who were too young to fully grasp the upheaval of the 1960s and early 70s, this story is an elegant lesson in the major historical events of the late 20th century. My favorite characters without a doubt were Bet and Nick as they were deeply drawn, with the complexities they faced from their twenties, through career and parenthood. Katherine, the story's narrator, to me was less likable, more a radical-turned-mindful environmentalist as a result of family tragedy with her brother Harry, which she foreshadows early in the book. The "future" generations of Kate and Harry's children (and a grandchild) are introduced at the end of the novel, too late for the reader to really know them except through Kate's 79 year old somewhat sentimental eyes. These youngest Taylor offspring do bring together the overarching elemental theme of family, legacy and what ideals and values are passed from one generation to the next.

I loved the writing, often beautiful sentences I would reread just to fully embrace Shattuck's descriptions - from the hills of Vermont to Mapleton suburbia and the radical couch surfing life of the many 60s and 70s activists. From the first page to the last, this is an epic novel to savor. Highly recommend! Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This book had much promise at the start; I was interested in the time period as it has been a long while since I read a family saga starting in the '50s. It just lost all its steam about halfway through.

A smart, ambitious novel, Jessica Shattuck's "The Last House" is about oil. From the first page where she lists everything made of oil-based products. The novel begins in 1953, when WWII veteran Nick Taylor, now a corporate lawyer, hooks up with an old friend who leads him into the international world of Big Oil. Nick's wife Bet, a code breaker and artist, now a housewife, She's busy raising their two children while Nick, a thoughtful man, travels with an old friend all over the world to secure oil for the US in the post-war world. He is not open with Bet about what he does, but the income keeps them well, including the purchase of the Last house; Last being the surname of former owners. Their children come of age in the 60s and join the opposition without quite realizing their father's role in what they are protesting. "The Last House" touches on just about every important event from 1945 to the near future.

I can see this book sparking conversation and and possibly heated discussion. The characters are empathetic, but I found the earlier parts of the story more interesting than the latter. The ending filled me with trepidation--what if I don't have my own Last house when everything Nick and his buddy set in motion pays off in unexpected ways? This story does what fiction does best; provoke thought while laying the case before us , even if it may be too late.

Many thanks for the DRC provided by NetGalley and William Morrow in exchange for an honest review.

Last House is an epic family drama full of meaning and message. I'm sure it's going to be talked about a lot.

It follows the Taylor family, and I'm sure that name is chosen for a reason. In fact, the (one of the ) protagonist's name is Elizabeth Taylor, but that didn't hit me until someone called her that later in the book - otherwise, she's known as Bet. It's definitely meant to stir your brain. Everything has a reason here, from the character's names, and the Last House of course, to where the characters live and what they've chosen to do with their lives. There are layers and layers, and they are carefully-weaved throughout the story.

The writing is excellent, and for the most part, the story is well paced. I was a little surprised at how fast the story sped up when it moved into the second part. I wasn't expecting that based on how the first part worked out.

But inasmuch as some dramatic, and tragic, things happen, it feels slow. Like based on some foreshadowing, you're expecting certain things that don't end up happening. Like there's built-up tension, but it fizzles out.

The thing is, this is an "important" book, but it's kind of self-important. It hits you over the head with all of its messaging. The ideal message kind of book gives it over with subtlety - you get absorbed in the novel and pick up on what the author wants to convey. I think love in the Time of Cholera is an excellent example. But here, it's all very planned and staged, which makes the plot and story less interesting and absorbing.

I also was confused about what the messages were throughout a lot of the book, just that there was definitely meant to be some. It's more clear toward the end, but it creates an unsettled feeling throughout. Maybe that's the intention? I prefer feeling satisfied and nodding my head along while I read.

I did like the end. It tied up a lot of the threads, or was clear about some threads not getting tied up, and that's ok. It's hopeful and satisfying. The last line was perfection.

4 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for an advanced copy for review.

Having read and enjoyed The Women in the Castle several years ago, I was excited to read another book by Jessica Shattuck. Unfortunately, I was not as impressed by this book. Told throughout several decades, it’s a story focused on the Taylor family, and told mainly from the points of view of 3 members, Nick, Bet, and their daughter Katherine. As the story progresses, there are many elements of the times relating to environmental, political, social, and human rights issues. Unfortunately, I never felt a connection to any of the characters in the story. It starts out with getting to know Nick and Bet a bit, but just when I felt the story (which was slow moving) might have been going somewhere, it changed to part 2, focusing on their daughter Katherine. This was probably my favorite part of the story as it moved at a slightly quicker pace and was more interesting. However, as it moved to part 3, I felt the pace slow again with Nick and Bet’s story and I trudged through it to finish the book. The final part threw in too many extra characters and took a while to try to remember who each of them were as the story finished up.
Perhaps it took on too many topics, never really focusing enough on the characters. I really wanted to love this one, but it wasn’t a favorite of mine, unfortunately.
Thank you to Netgalley and William Morrow for an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own.

Thank you for this ARC! I thoroughly enjoy a family drama set over many generations and this did not disappoint. It was historical, with the Vietnam War as a backdrop and that is an interesting time period to read about. Not as overdone as WWII. I am also a huge fan of cli-fi and this book had some aspects of eco/environmental fiction. Especially the ending, which I loved. It will leave you thinking about the legacy you leave behind.

Last House starts at the end of World War II and continues to the present. It starts with Nick and Bet how they met and became a family. Last house is a dwelling in Vermont close to a state forest. It is a place to get away from suburbia. Nick works for an oil company as a lawyer and brokers deal with Iran. This is a time period where the CIA was active in the Middle East. Nick is trying to make the best life for his family and look to the future. His children have a privileged childhood. But as we enter the sixties everything is questioned. The turmoil of the sixties is shown through the eyes of Nick's daughter Katherine. The story also continues after Nick and Bet are gone.
This is a book with a large time period. It is a lot of history to cover in one story. It is also the story of a family with family drama. I found the story slow in some places but then it always picked up. If you like sweeping family narratives, this is a book for you.
Thank you to #NetGalley, #JessicaShattuck, and #WilliamMorrow for a copy of this book.
#LastHouse

Last House is a family saga set mostly in the 50s and 60s with blips ahead to the 80s and beyond. The problems and opportunities of the characters mirror the news of the time: nuclear war worries, civil rights, environmentalism, classism. The cast of characters take shape slowly and really blossom in the second half of the book. I found it to be a little slow going, and I wished we’d spent more time seeing characters develop in the first half instead of being told of their developments. I wanted to care more for some of them before major things happened to them, but some received more attention and build up than others. There were many times in the story where I felt like more would take shape from an event or a hint, and then nothing would come of it.

Overall, this is a book I’d recommend for a fan of contemporary fiction who may want to dabble in literary fiction. And if you like a neat bow on top of your stories, you pretty much get it with this. Enjoyable, even if my attention wavered at times, but it likely won’t stick with me for long

This story begins in 1953, and proceeds to cover the years that follow in the 1960’s, 1970’s and the changes as the years go by as each generation’s hopes and desires evolve, and as the country, and the world, as well, experience changes. Some good, some not, depending on the generation and location, and event.

Early on, this centers around a family, a family who have recently come into money, and how that changes their lives. They buy an old home while on their vacation, and this becomes their refuge from the world and the realities of things happening outside this place.

This covers a lot in terms of eras, from the 1940’s to the 2020’s, and includes pretty much every noteworthy change in the world, from politics to wars and how these changes have reshaped this country, as well as others.

There were moments in this story that I enjoyed, but overall, while it was interesting to revisit those times, my favourite part of this story was at the beginning, and the more that I read it, the less it pulled me in. Not that it was difficult to understand or that I disliked the story, overall, but I felt that it needed more balance.


Pub Date: 14 May 2024

Many thanks for the ARC provided by William Morrow

This ambitious and beautifully written novel takes on a large chunk of history. Jessica Shattuck begins Last House in the 1940's with Bet, an English Major who becomes a code breaker. It is Bet's story and that of her husband, Nick, and their children and, subsequently, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Although Bet's is the main thread of the story's beginning, there is a long section of Bet's daughter Katherine's life and her connection to her brother Harry. Nick, an attorney for a major oil company, becomes involved with the CIA in Iran's politics and returning the Shah to the throne. Carter, a CIA operative, becomes close friends with Nick and Bet and is responsible for their purchase of Last House in Vermont (Last being the name of its original owner). The property becomes a kind of survivalist community.

Catherine's life unfolds as she becomes a columnist for a left-wing newspaper and there meets a group of peaceful protestors and later Weather Underground members. We follow her through King's assassination and protests against the Viet Nam w ar and big oil companies.
Racism, even after the; passage of the Voting Rights Act, is part of Katheriine's life as she falls in love with a Black man.

The travel through 20th Century history culminates in a return to Last House to celebrate Katherine's 79th birthday with a reunion party while there is a massive blackout across the country. Thís novel has some lovely characters and descriptions like the Shah's lavish party.
But ultimately, the novel may leave readers behind as it rushes to its conclusion. It could have earned 5 Stars had it been more character driven and less of a history lesson.

Thank to Netgalley and William Morrow for an ARC copy to read pre-publication.

A strong story about The Last House, an escape from the world's pressures. A story set in a time of uprising against big corporation, and environmental exploitation, and for peoples rights. One generation was benefitting from these and the next was fighting against them. Nick and Bet made their living off of International Oil dreaming of stability and a better future for their children Kat and Harry who were raised with the privilege to question everything. Then turbulent times crashed into the Taylor family and caused them all to doubt their beliefs and understand the importance of family.
The story moved a bit slow at first but picked up about midway. I liked the characters but wasn't invested in them. The setting could have played a larger role. A good book overall but I felt it skimmed along too quickly at times, making me wish for more.

Thank you to Publisher William Morrow and NetGalley for the Advanced Readers Copy.

Little argument, I would think even from the staunchest America booster, that the U.S. hasn’t exactly shown itself to fine advantage in its foreign involvements of the last century, with a particularly egregious instance being Iran, whose repressiveness of recent years – to my mind the scariest part of the recent bump-in-the night Iranian thriller “Under The Shadow” – could be seen as an inexorable outcome of the U.S.-assisted ouster of democratically elected Mohammad Mossadegh in 1953 and reinstallation of the shah.
“Getting the (oil) pumps going again,” is the rationale given for the deposing by U.S. operative Carter Weston in Jessica Shattuck's “Last House,” and indeed the novel begins with Weston attempting to bring on board to the oil venture one of the novel’s major characters, Nick Taylor, who isn’t wildly enthusiastic about the endeavor, particularly as he takes in from the air the unsavory evidence of the effort. “Like a burned-out forest, the pipes and columns and laddered derricks like a wilderness of bare trunks and fallen trees,” he thinks of the venture that Carter is presenting figuratively as the “turning point” for “freedom and oppression” and "the battle over the future of civilization, no less.”
Enough almost to make Nick laugh, the sentiment, after what he endured in the literal WWII fighting that left him with shrapnel in one of his shoulders and enough of an aversion to war to have made him want to use his law degree for world harmony and to have proposed by mail from the Pacific to his wife-to-be, Bet.
My favorite character by far in the novel, Bet is a maverick among her circle, with her ambition to do a Ph.D. in literature and her expressed sympathy for the Rosenbergs, or their children, anyway, which put me in mind of Jillian Cantor’s “The Hours Count” as well as Ellen Feldman’s “The Unwitting,” which may not have expressly referred to the Rosenbergs, I don’t recall, but remains for me overall the best depiction of the Cold War that I’ve read.
More than just a revisiting of the Cold War, though, Shattuck’s novel is something of an overall look at postwar America, with an extended treatment of Vietnam, which will ensnare daughter Katherine and son Harry, who for all the central role he will end up playing was to my mind insufficiently developed. Indeed, a fuller treatment, almost as though it’s a character itself, is accorded the house that the family comes to acquire (hence the title), even if, there too, I found the conceit not entirely successful. Nevertheless, the novel’s writing is top-drawer – “Nick felt the daily flesh and blood of marriage turn to gristle” is a particularly fine example – and its imperialist concerns, reminiscent for me of Joan Didion, are particularly germane at a time of the grave moral complexities posed by the current situations in Gaza and Ukraine.

This is an intellectual book and not plot driven. Maybe the point went above my head, but I just couldn't connect with this one. I'm surprised I even finished it. I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.