The Last Storyteller

Rating:
Summary: A nice book
Review: A well written, well thought out, well researched book. I enjoyed it.

Rating:
Summary: intriguing contemporary tale
Review: In California, an elated Sam informs his girlfriend Taite that he has received a fellowship to work for one year at the Institute of Neurological Research in Boston. He asks her to accompany him, but she refuses. His news trumps her news as she was going to tell him she was pregnant, but decides not to say a word because she loves him and does not want to dampen his future.

Despondent and thinking of an abortion, Taite decides to visit her Welsh grandmother Naini. Her elderly grandmother encourages Taite to look back at her heritage as she tells stories of her past and encourages her to reconcile with her mom and to share the joy-burden with Sam. Will Taite be THE LAST STORYTELLER of a proud family or will she bring the next generation into the world with Sam at her side?

THE LAST STORYTELLER is an intriguing contemporary tale that looks at several societal issues to include abortion and stem cell research. Though Diane Noble comes across much stronger on one side of the issues, the author provides the ethical dilemmas so that readers realize that these are complex questions not worthy of thirty second blips as normally tossed at people. The story is told through the three generation of women (Taite, her mom and grandma) so that the audience sees the differences in outlook. Sam is a fabulous protagonist as he works with stem cell research, but wonders about the morality when he does not want Taite to abort their child. This is a strong tale with a powerful look at modern morality.

Harriet Klausner


Rating:
Summary: An enjoyable story about complicated family relationships
Review: Medieval lovers, an old woman's descent into dementia, and the modern debate over embryonic stem cell research are just a few of the storylines woven together to create a compelling drama in Diane Noble's latest novel, THE LAST STORYTELLER.

The tale opens as a young couple goes their separate ways. Sam heads off to medical school in Boston while Taite retreats to her beloved grandmother's house near the northern California coast to figure out what to do about the pregnancy she decided not to reveal to Sam. Estranged from her own mother and fueled by her feelings of worthlessness, Taite does her best to push away the love Sam offers and resolves to abort their child.

"She had never mentioned this part to Sam: no children. Not now. Not ever. Family meant pain. And she was more or less certain her genetic makeup was predisposed to reject those she loved and to have them reject her. Much as she loved Sam, a fear gnawed deep inside that he, too, might abandon her someday."

Little does Taite know that Naini, her grandmother, will need her now more than ever. With Taran and Gwynedd, residents of the 12th century and the main characters in the family's legend, appearing as plain as day in the garden and Naini waking up from vivid dreams with cuts and bruises, it doesn't take long for her to realize and reveal to Taite that her mind is failing in old age. A medical diagnosis confirms it's only a matter of time before her memories and all sense of time will fade into full-blown Dementia with Lewy Bodies, or DLB.

But before she enters the unknown world of dementia, Naini is determined to steer Taite away from having an abortion. To try to convey to Taite the preciousness of the bond between parent and child, she begins to tell her the family legend once again. It's a story Taite has heard many times --- the tale of Taran and Gwynedd and the sack of Han-mere and Gwynedd's daring adventure to save her husband and neighbors --- but she never grows tired of it. And slowly the blessing offered to Taran and Gwynedd at their hasty wedding begins to work its way into her heart:

"Almighty God, our heavenly Father, fill these your children with faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, and godliness. Knit together in constant affection your son Taran of Han-mere and your daughter Gwynedd of Han-mere from this day forward. For their children, and their children's children, and for all who will follow through the ages, turn the hearts of parents to children, and the hearts of children to parents. So enkindle fervent charity among them all that they may evermore be filled with love one to another as members of your family through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord."

Still, Taite is stubborn and scared. She goes to the clinic to have an abortion and emerges with both devastating and revealing results.

Meanwhile, Sam is across the country preparing for a career as a doctor specializing in stem cell research and thinking about Taite in every spare moment. He has no idea of the issues she's dealing with, but he misses her and wants to restore the relationship. And once again, Naini is working behind the scenes. She writes a dear friend, Luke, who lectures on ethics at the medical school and asks him to keep an eye open for Sam, to encourage him and guide him as much as possible. She believes Sam and Taite are meant for each other and she's eager that Sam reconsider the ethical implications of his chosen field of study.

When Sam turns up in Luke's class, it's only a matter of time before the pair is sparring over the ethical issues involving stem cell research and abortion. But as events unfold, the discussion becomes less theoretical and more personal.

Family relationships are complicated; that's a gross understatement. But thankfully, stories like THE LAST STORYTELLER help flesh out those complications in ways that people can relate to and, hopefully, learn from. The trick with THE LAST STORYTELLER, and other books like it that can be put in the romance novel family, is to get past the dialogue. People just don't talk this way --- to themselves or to others. And, for as messy as families can be, the plot here is pretty clean. Events line up just so. People do what we want them to do; everyone is happy in the end.

Nevertheless, the story of Taite and Sam is a good story. Much in the way she spins the tale of Taran and Gwynedd, you might imagine Naini, or one of her successors, sitting by the fire telling future generations about these two young people who made mistakes and found the courage to allow grace to cover their lives. Unrealistic dialogue or not, that's a story everyone can enjoy and, hopefully, learn from.

--- Reviewed by Lisa Ann Cockrel

Rating:
Summary: A must read
Review: Not often does a novel come along that pulls at the heart strings so hard it leaves you sobbing for the characters, for more. Diane Noble is an amazing author who has the ability to draw you and leave you with a tale that changes your thought, feelings, and life. Not only do I recommend The Last Storyteller I say if you plan to read one book this year make it this one.

Rating:
Summary: My Review of "The Last Storyteller"
Review: Taite Abbott is a young girl who is struggling with one of the most important decisions she will ever make in her life. She turns to her grandmother, Victoria, for help. At the same time, Victoria is entering the most difficult and challenging phase of her life. Through stories about their ancestors, Victoria desperately tries to get through to Taite before it is too late - for herself and for Taite.

This story by Diane Noble is definately a page turner. There are two very exciting stories unfolding simultaneously which make it very difficult to put the book down. This book is a must read!

Rating:
Summary: Blessings From a Story
Review: Taite Abbott thinks her life is falling apart. She has resolved not to tell her boyfriend, Sam, of their child that grows in her womb. After all, it is just a bunch of cells. Instead, she tries to close herself off to everything she believes will only bring hurt. This means having an abortion. She is not yet aware of the blessing bestowed upon her family hundreds of years ago. As she listens to her grandmothers' stories, she again begins to hope. Though worlds apart, the blessing given to Taite's ancestors will cause her to begin to see what grows inside of her as more than a group of cells. That will change everything.

Rating:
Summary: Best Ever!
Review: This wonderful story comes from prolific writer Diane Noble. Truly this novel is her best work yet. Thanks Diane for a wonderful read, engaging characters and poignant, timely reminders.
Reader, you will finish the book and be richer for having spent time with this Storyteller!
Enjoy!