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Summary: thoughts
Review: I think the reason why there are so many harsh reviews for this book is that people don't like having to think about what they've read. They also don't like feeling tricked. As soon as you finish reading this book - really as soon as you come to the last page - you are instantly forced to reevaluate your interpretation of the entire book. Frankly, I find that amazing!
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Summary: Finale extraordinaire!
Review: I think the ending was brilliant! Anita Shreve has such a way of capturing her audience and vividly painting every thought, feeling and texture. I would agree that the book started off a little slowly, but after the first 50 pages or so, I couldn't put it down. I am new to Shreve's writing, this only my second so far. I am anxious to read more.
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Summary: Shocked by the ending
Review: When I started this book, I thought I would never be able to finish it. I couldn't relate to the characters and it was difficult to follow because the characters kept referring to events that had happened to them earlier in their lives without really telling to whole story. As the book moves on, Anita Shreve brings you back in time to the earlier events which help give insight into what was going on in the first section of the book. By the time I got to the end, I couldn't put this book down. I stayed awake until 3am waiting to see how it would end. Near the end of the book, it seems as though we finally uncover the secrets from the past, but hold on - the last 2 pages change everything (I won't give away the ending because it would ruin the surprise!)
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Summary: so what happened?
Review: I just need to know whether she died in the crash or not!The book was brilliant!
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Summary: Surprise ending
Review: When I started this book, I thought I would never get through it. The first section is very slow and you wonder where this book is going. I found that I didn't even particularly care for the characters and spent the whole time wondering what the characters were talking about when they were referring to events in the past. As you move into the second section of the book, you begin to understand some of the events that were discussed during the first section and things start to fall into place. I couldn't wait to get to the ending by the time I made it to the third and final section. I stayed up unitl 3am just to finish the book, and I'm glad I did. Everything falls into place. I found that I really enjoyed the characters and was left breathless by the time I got to the last page of the book. I encourage anyone who may read this book to be patient with the beginning because you will be stunned by the ending.
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Summary: No more extraordinary than Danielle Steel
Review: I read the review for this novel, and I decided I'd read it because every book critique has a positive comment on it.
However, I don't understand the difference between this novel and any romance novels. The plot is rudimentary. It has been done before, again and again. Only in this novel, it was written from present to past. Some people find that genial, but I really don't see the appeal. If the plot is good, then it makes a good novel. Just because the novel is written backwards, doesn't mean it is a good novel. I really don't see the difference between this novel and any other romance novel, and I am baffled by how much positive comments this novel receives. The affairs between the two characters are boring and a little irritating at times (Just makes you wish they would get over it and do something about it instead of whining, "Poor me, I love you, but I love her too. What should I do, what should I do?"). And I understand that description of the setting is very crucial in a novel, but in this novel, it just drags on and on with unecessary "grand" words. I personally despise the characters in this novel the most. I would not recommend this novel to anyone who does not enjoy cheap romance novels with a bad plot...
Rating: 
Summary: Almost very good
Review: After thoroughly enjoying the book, I was completely disappointed with the ending. It seemed as if Ms. Shreve didn't know another way to end it. Some stories are magnificent with a twist(Sixth Sense). This story didn't support the twist in any way I could see. My opinion? Good try, but it left me empty.
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Summary: Ignore the hype about the ending.......
Review: If you read any of these online reviews, you will undoubtedly discover that the ending has a "surprise". Having said that, PLEASE do not read the ending first. The ending, though important in the overal scheme of things, does not the novel make. Please don't sell yourself short on the rest of the book. I knew nothing of the book, other than the short paragraph on the back cover, which tells very little. In the end, when I was finished reading, I was very impressed with the novel. What I suggest is this: Understand the basics of the book (not the ending!) before you read. It is told backwards; the two main characters have met only three times in their lives- at ages 17, 26 and 52. The book is divided into three sections, one for each meeting. The first section, at age 52, is very slow. It is also filled with numerous references to the past. Several people have commented that this is the worst section of the book, which unfortunately is the first impression Ms. Shreve makes on her readers. However, keep reading, because the middle section, or Twenty-Six, is the jewel of the book. I think she could have written an entire book of this section, and she probably would have gotten better reviews! Also, this section makes sense of most of the past references of Fifty-Two. The third section, Seventeen, is perhaps the most important of the book, because it lays the foundation for making the story believable and understandable. I have read other reviews, and I am disappointed that most readers were unhappy with the book. I was taught that the purpose of literature, besides entertainment, is to make people think and take them out of their comfort zones. This book did that for me. The fact the ending lacks a concrete, definitive explanation is irrelevant, as is sadness in the chain of events that plague these characters throughout their lives, because this book never promises to be the stereotypical romance novel. If that is what you want, there are a thousand cookie-cutter paperbacks, with Fabio on the cover, at your public library. The Last Time They Met does not necessarily have a happy ending, but the ending should make you happy in that you have just experienced truly distinguished (and clever) literature.
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Summary: Only Need to Read the Last Few Pages
Review: This was the first time I've read a novel by Anita Shreve and it will be the last. The writing was dull and the story simply plodded along. This book was a chore to read. The "surprise" ending is contrived and seemed as though the author simply could not figure out how the book should end and pulled a rabbit out of her hat. A disappointing piece of writing and I simply cannot recommend this book to anyone.
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Summary: Ending Felt Like a Cheap Trick
Review: I loved "Strange Fits of Passion", and was looking forward to this book as my second date with Anita Shreve. However, I was very disappointed. I liked it enough going along to overlook certain problems, such as the only-somewhat-believable passion between the protagonists and the occasionally-unrealistic dialogue. However, at the very end of this book, information is revealed that pulls the rug out from under the whole rest of the story. The ending wound up feeling to me like a gimmick. I tried for several days to ponder it, but could never fully make sense of the story. Did Thomas really go to Africa? really marry Regina? if so, what really broke them up? etc etc I think I vaguely understand what she may have been trying to do here, but it just didn't work for me at all.
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