Last Time They Met, The

Rating:
Summary: It Only Works in a Comedy
Review: Spoiler Ahead. Please don't read further if you plan to read the book. Unless you decide not to bother.

There is something peculiar about Shreve's word choices -- contrived, self-conscious, and downright odd in places -- she does things like describing blue eyes as "navy." Navy eyes? She also talks about a "navy sky." Other awkward phrases, or pretentious descriptions actually stopped me in my tracks, with the writer seeming to intrude in her story to call attention to her "original" writing style. Possibly her off-center wording wouldn't have been distracting if the characters had been compelling. I read "The Weight of Water" after seeing the movie, and it might have been Penn's strength and integrity that made Thomas-as-written in "Last Time.." seem, by contrast, to be quiveringly emotional, and down-right tedious. No better was the depressed and depressing Linda, a character flat and unengaging, except all too briefly, in parts of the chapters set in Africa. Nor was there any help from the building of the plot, which I found oonfusing and contrived, erratic, sloppy and annoying.

But all this pales in comparison to the ending. I had a sense that Shreve came up with this ending one day, thought it would be a good trick, and wrote the rest of the novel so she could use it. Remember "Dallas" where the writers had to figure out how to justify bringing a leading actor back in the story after he had died, and the series had gone on for at least a full season? One morning his wife, who had gone through immense and complex sturm und drang for a very long time after her husband died, woke up and found him taking a shower in their bathroom. "Good morning, honey!' Huh? Oh, right, the whole last season was just her dream. Um, okay. Shreve's ending also brings to mind a movie called "Soapdish" where Whoopie Goldberg, a soap opera head-writer, faces down her boss as he insists she find a way to bring another returning actor back in the story. "Just do it" he says. "What do you mean just do it," Whoopie tells him, " are you crazy, I can't just do it, he was beheaded!"

The only time this trick worked, in my opinion, was when Bob Newhart used it with great wit, as a way to close his second series. He turned over in bed to find Susan Pleshette, his wife from his first series, asleep beside him. That time it was brilliant, satisfying, and very funny. With Newhart, no one felt cheated. With "Last Time.." I think it likely that, underneath any admiration for the sleight of hand, somewhere inside, the reader may find he/she felt not only cheated, but manipulated. And the reader would be right. Shreve's ending messes with our minds about the Real and the Unreal, and she just doesn't have the weight to pull it off. In her hands it is a cheap trick, and if she turns out to have watched network television, not so very original afterall.

Rating:
Summary: Horrible
Review: I found this book to be absolutely horrible. I enjoyed Sea Glass and the Pilot's Wife and cannot believe that the same author wrote this garbage. I recommend saving your money by not buying this book.

Rating:
Summary: Read it with no preconceived expectations
Review: This was the very first Anita Shreve book I ever read, so I was fortunate enough to hold no expectations about her writing style, etc. I absolutely loved "The Last Time They Met" and have read many of Shreve's books since. I think Shreve was brilliant with this story; I was so surprised when I got to the end! I have reread the book countless times, and still cry at the end.
Though I can see how fans of past books were disappointed or confused by this one (and would urge them to give it another read) because the style is very different then most of Shreve's other books. However, I do believe that if you begin this book with an open mind, with no preconceived expectations (and work through the writing style within the first portion of the book) you will not be let down. "The Last Time They Met" is a beautiful story that I would (and have) recommend to any book lover.

Rating:
Summary: Read WHERE or WHEN instead. This one is a disappointment
Review: The sad thing is that the plot of THIS book is very similar to Shreve's WHERE OR WHEN--which was a much better book. If you find the plot of this appeals to you, then read WHERE or WHEN instead, b/c she really handles the material so much better in that novel.

The ending disappointed me in that I couldn't ascertain the timeline b/c I couldn't adequately make the connection between the location of the last incident in the book and how that fit into the timeline. I felt confused as I closed the book--even after re-reading the last chapter again. I see from other reviewers, I was not alone.

Also, the male protagonist was not very likeable. It was difficult to feel sympathy for him, and by extension, hard to relate to the female protagonist wanting to be with this man.

Rating:
Summary: One of Shreve's Best Endings
Review: I have read almost everything Shreve has written and always enjoy her endings. Reading this book (after having read Weight of Water a few years back), I was confused because of what happens in Weight of Water. This book, is so well written though, that I made myself forget WoW and believe this story, only to be thoroughly shocked by the ending! While you might be saddened by the ending, Shreve is such a master that it made me appreciate the book that much more. It was a book I couldnt put down and one that definitely left me completely wrapped up in it's story. If you like Anita Shreve, this is definitely one to read.

Rating:
Summary: REALLY DISAPPOINTED
Review: After reading the Pilot's Wife and Sea Glass, both of which were interesting, entertaining, and well-written, I'm really disappointed in this book. I can sum it all up in one word: BORING! It's more a book by a writer about other writers, more so than a "love story". I couldn't get past all the italicized dialogue, and gave up about halfway through. I checked this out from the library, and I'm just so glad I didn't buy it! It would really be a waste of money. I won't give up on Anita Shreve, because I think she's brilliant, but I definitely wouldn't recommmend this book.

Rating:
Summary: Enjoyed it...............but still unsure about ending...
Review: I loved this book, I did. The beginning was a little slow, but after getting through the first 30 or so pages, I was hooked. Didnt want to put it down.............I love Shreve's way of description. She truly has a way of making you feel as if you are right in the middle of the settings she describes. The Africa section is especially good. Getting close to the end of the book, I had a feeling there would be a twist or last minute revelation and there most definantly was. I was pretty blown away by the last page and ending of this book. But in a way I feel cheated. I love surprise endings, but this one was so abrupt that it almost makes you angry for the time spent, and at the same time leaves you sad and haunted. I will say that it is very thought provoking though!!!! I WILL recommend this book to others because all in all I am glad that I read it.

Rating:
Summary: Superb Storytelling
Review: This is the first book that I've read of Shreve's and I must admit it blew me away!! The beautiful composition of her stories is entrancing. Whenever I was away from the book, I was thinking about it and couldn't wait to get home, climb into bed and read on.
The way Shreve delights her reader with awesome word usage and beautiful images is true mastery. Not only that, but Shreve has acquired the ability of creating such sympathetic characters and genuine love, that even through adultery, the reader sides with the protagonist; secretly wishing that he will win his true love. Through love letters, confessions, and sinful pleasures, we journey backwards in hopes that Shreve will release us from our anxiousness and reveal the happy ending we long to have.
For three hunndred and eleven pages we twist and turn and follow the lives of these two poets, and right up to the end are hanging on by the tips of our fingers, until Shreve hits us with a blow that knocks us right off a 20 story building!! Want a good read, read this!! I cannot wait to open my next Anita Shreve novel, and I cross my fingers in hopes that it's as good if not phenomally better than this one.

Rating:
Summary: I am stupified... someone please help me!!!
Review: ****DO NOT READ THIS IF YOU HAVE NOT ALREADY READ THE NOVEL****

About 3 hours ago I finished "the last time they met," and I don't know what to do with myself. I consider myself a pretty intelligent and literary person, but the ending has left me so confused/shocked/stunned that I am beside myself.

I literally reread the ending about 10 times, and then, when I still wasnt sure, went through the entire book to help me grasp everything and put it all together. All that did was create more theories and confusion! I have called basically every person I know to see if they have read it, and no one has!

Please, I just need to discuss this with someone because I have so many theories going through my mind it is driving me insane. I knew nothing about a "twist" ending or anything of that nature when I picked up the novel, so perhaps that is why I am in such a state.

I am still not sure if Linda actually died in the car crash. At first, I had thought that the whole "last minutes of her life" thing was because she thought, at the time, that this was actually the last moments of her life, and that what she saw was actually some sort of "vision" of her future, scenes of her life that she would live. I thought that the last scene "a beach house with a man..." was just evidence that after everything, she and thomas ended up together later in life. But then the whole suicide thing is thrown at you, and I had to rethink everything. I still don't know if Linda actually died at 17. I am so confused.

I have searched for a message board so that I could vent my feelings in a more appropriate venue, but I have ceased to find one.

Someone, anyone, please just discuss this with me! I need to talk about it! My email is [e-mail] . It is driving me crazy!

And incase it isn't clear from my previous rambling, I found the book brilliant.

Rating:
Summary: My Absolute Favorite...So Far...
Review: Shreve's story telling ability boggles the mind. The section titles and subtle comments throughout the novel only hint at the surprise ending.

The encounters between the two characters in their youth and adulthood are beautifully written, as is their chance meeting at a writer's convention.

To get to the end is to truly savor and enjoy the subtleties of her writing and enjoy the puzzle that quickly unfolds before the reader's eyes.