The Latecomer

 

I received a copy of this release from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Title: The Latecomer

Author: Jean Hanff Korelitz

Publisher: Celadon

Release Date: 5.31.22

Publisher’s Summary 

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 have a fourth child. 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. 

My Review

Quick note: This review marks my 700th blog post!! Seven. Hundred. SEVEN HUNDRED! *whoa*

Ok, on to the book! After loving The Plot last year I was so excited when I saw that Jean Hanff Korelitz had a new release. I got my ARC a few months ago and was so excited to read it but it had to wait its turn in the TBR (I am the opposite of a mood reader. There's a spreadsheet and a schedule.) Finally, I got to dive in and I loved every minute of this book. It gave me Freedom (Jonathan Franzen) and The Resurrection of Joan Ashby (Cherise Wolas) vibes with its complex family dynamics and complex characters. Total five stars and now adding Jean Hanff Korelitz to my auto-buy author list, especially after just recently finding out that her novel You Should Have Known became the HBO adaptation The Undoing! I was obsessed with that show!