Last Time They Met, The

Rating:
Summary: Not worth your time
Review: What a disappointment this book was! Even on a long plane ride, I was bored stiff! I had eagerly awaited something new from Anita Shreve because I enjoyed the Pilot's Wife. This book is boring, very weak plot. It takes up pages and pages describing the most unimportant details of surroundings.

Rating:
Summary: Too Depressing to Be a Good Read
Review: I am an avid reader and I read for enjoyment. Many novels have tragic events which cause the reader sadness; however, "The Last Time They Met" is too depressing to enjoy. Whatever hopes you have for the characters are terribly crushed by the ending. Do not look for any happiness in this book.

Rating:
Summary: Don't read this!
Review: I loved the first 311 pages of this book, I was into the characters, moved by their situation, loved the description of Africa, but the last sentence of the book ruined the whole thing for me. I felt cheated, manipulated, and deceived. I feel like I'm a good reader, that I pay close attention to details and plot and character development, and I didn't see and still don't see the clues to that ending...it was as if Shreve just didn't know how to end it. Even if there were clues, it wouldn't have been worth it. I would never recommend this book to anyone else and I will never read another of her books.

Rating:
Summary: What kind of ending is this!!?
Review: Anita Shreve could've gotten away with a happy ending. She is an enormously gifted writer and this book is a true testament to that. However, she truly blew-it in the ending. I felt cheated and used - like I was the blunt of some stupid joke. I would've put Shreve's talent above ending this book on the last page -- in the way it was done. An insult to both myself and the author.

Rating:
Summary: The book you'll think about after you read it.
Review: Most of the time when I read a book, I just read it. I do not need to think about it because typically the endings of the books I read resolve the plot. However, the ending of this book made me examine the plot again and question what had happened and why which made this book a total reading experience. I'll admit that the first part of the book was a chore to get through but towards the end of it, I could not wait to get to the next part. The second part of the book I felt was more of a visual experience due to the vivid descriptions of Kenya. The third part was an emotional experience because of the highly dramatic moments that occur. This is my first time reading anything by Anita Shreve and if her other books are as spellbinding as this one, I think I might become a fan.

Rating:
Summary: Shocker
Review: The Last Time They Met has a slow and somewhat confusing start but once you get the characters and the time frame straight it is an enjoyable read. The author describes Africa in such detail you can see it in your minds eye. I had the ending of the book all figured out until I got to the last page. What a shocker. I had to go back and read it twice. I still can't believe it. Give the book a chance I think you'll be as surprised about the ending as I was.

Rating:
Summary: Hit Over the Head!
Review: The novel took me awhile to get into -the events move backwards in time, constantly teasing the reader with things to come. Initially, I found this frustrating and confusing. It finally settled in and I enjoyed it enormously. The ending struck me so hard I felt like I was hit over the head!

Rating:
Summary: Don't waste your time
Review: I HATED the ending, which was not even believable. I felt manipulated and cheated. I found the rest of the book mildly interesting, but I would not dream of re-reading to "look for clues" as other reviewers have suggested. It's not worth my time. While the idea of writing backwards (from present to past) is clever, it cries out for an ending which justifies the preceding 312 pages.

Rating:
Summary: A slow start, but a strong finish!
Review: I had a difficult time with the beginning of the book, but thanks to long airport lines and two delayed flights, I am glad I hung in there until the end. For anyone who doesn't believe that true love still exists, read this book renew your faith!Quite a story, and a great storyteller.

Rating:
Summary: Read to help you fall asleep...
Review: I am so sorry I bought this book, I simply could not get into it. I was too busy trying to figure out who's perspective was being shared throughout each chapter. I found it boring and to difficult to follow. I wish I would have read some of these editorials before I bought it, it is the only book on my shelf I couldn't get myself to finish...