I have always sought out books published by Algonquin because they are exceptionally well written. This novel is no exception. It is a multi-layered portrayal of lives that combine obsession, infidelity, grief, mental illness and murder. I thought Nina De Gramont did an excellent job of building suspense from the first page. The characters are flawed and some are unlikeable, but this novel is effective in depicting them into a riveting reading experience. I am grateful to LibraryThing for the opportunity to read this book as part of their Early Reviewers' offerings.
Book Description:
Set against the desolate autumn beauty of Cape Cod, The Last September is a riveting emotional puzzle that takes readers inside the psyche of a woman facing the meaning of love and loyalty.
Brett has been in love with Charlie ever since he took her skiing on a lovely Colorado night fourteen years ago. And now, living in a seaside cottage on Cape Cod with their young daughter, it looks as if they have settled into the life they desired. However, Brett and Charlie's marriage has been tenuous for quite some time. When Charlie's unstable younger brother plans to move in with them, the tension simmering under the surface of their marriage boils over.
But what happened to Charlie next was unfathomable. Charlie was the golden boy so charismatic that he charmed everyone who crossed his path; who never shied away from a challenge; who saw life as one big adventure; who could always rescue his troubled brother, no matter how unpredictable the situation.
So who is to blame for the tragic turn of events? And why does Brett feel responsible?
My Review:
This is the first book by this author that I have read but it will not be my last. I found the book very well written and hard to put down. It is a tangled web of love, forgiveness, obsession, friendship and mental illness by flawed human beings. The author approaches these themes with compassion and understanding and a lot of poetry by Emily Dickinson throughout. The ending was very surprising and one I did not see coming. I look forward to reading another book by Nina de Gramont and highly recommend this book to those who love a compassionate story with a bit of mystery.
Set against the desolate autumn beauty of Cape Cod, The Last September is a riveting emotional puzzle that takes readers inside the psyche of a woman facing the meaning of love and loyalty.
Brett has been in love with Charlie ever since he took her skiing on a lovely Colorado night fourteen years ago. And now, living in a seaside cottage on Cape Cod with their young daughter, it looks as if they have settled into the life they desired. However, Brett and Charlie's marriage has been tenuous for quite some time. When Charlie's unstable younger brother plans to move in with them, the tension simmering under the surface of their marriage boils over.
But what happened to Charlie next was unfathomable. Charlie was the golden boy so charismatic that he charmed everyone who crossed his path; who never shied away from a challenge; who saw life as one big adventure; who could always rescue his troubled brother, no matter how unpredictable the situation.
So who is to blame for the tragic turn of events? And why does Brett feel responsible?
My Review:
This is the first book by this author that I have read but it will not be my last. I found the book very well written and hard to put down. It is a tangled web of love, forgiveness, obsession, friendship and mental illness by flawed human beings. The author approaches these themes with compassion and understanding and a lot of poetry by Emily Dickinson throughout. The ending was very surprising and one I did not see coming. I look forward to reading another book by Nina de Gramont and highly recommend this book to those who love a compassionate story with a bit of mystery.
