Rating 4 Stars
The Last Romantic is a compelling story, told retrospectively, from the view point of the youngest of four siblings. It is a story of the deep binding love shared among siblings, the things that drive them apart and the guilt for not being everything that a sibling needs. In addition, it is a profound look at how even the closest of young siblings can grow apart and how tragedy effects each differently.
The story opens in the distant future when renowned poet Fiona Skinner is doing a reading. She is asked who the inspiration is for the character of Luna in her famous work titled The Love Poem. She begins by telling of the death of her father when she was a young girl and the subsequent “Pause” as she and her siblings call the period in which her mother withdraws into herself leaving the siblings to fend for themselves.
The Pause leaves deep wounds on each of the siblings, some of which never heal. All the children bear these into adulthood and it effects many aspects of their lives. As Fiona further delves into the story and the individual lives of each sibling, she gets closer and closer to Luna; until, the unlikely connect is revealed between them.
The author, Tara Conklin, has a perceptive eye for all the intricacies of relationships and an even better skill at getting those thoughts into words. This made for some prose that is nothing short of outstanding. Despite the plot being rather slow, the book is so thought provoking I did not mind.
I would also like to note, this book is one of the more intimate looks into what makes a family, a family. By the end of the book, I understood the dynamics of the four siblings and how each of their experiences and personalities effected the others. Also, how each used the strength of the others, sometime to the others detriment, as a personal well of power or force with which to face the world.
This book has elements of both Women’s Fiction and Literary Fiction and at times was very introspective. I recommend this book to those readers who enjoy books that are reflective in nature. The author brings up a lot of life issues and because of this it would make an excellent book club selection.
I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion.
I’ve been thinking about reading this book and have been putting it off. I’ve been sticking to lighter reads lately and it seems a little heavy. But, I enjoyed your review of it and may have to pick it up 😉