Anne Wolfe's Reviews > Last House

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.

Katherine'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 war 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.

This 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.