Book
The last time I saw you / Elizabeth Berg.
A story about a group of former classmates reconnecting at their 40th high school reunion. To each of the men and women, this reunion means something different: a last opportunity to say something long left unsaid, an escape from the bleaker realities of everyday life, a means to save a marriage on the rocks, or an opportunity to bond with a slightly estranged daughter, if only over what her mother should wear.
Record details
- ISBN: 9781400068647 (alk. paper)
- Physical Description: 244 p ; 24 cm.
- Edition: 1st ed.
- Publisher: New York : Random House, 2010.
Content descriptions
| General Note: | Apr 10 |
| Target Audience Note: | All Ages. |
Search for related items by subject
| Subject: | Class reunions > Fiction. Reminiscing > Fiction. |
| Genre: | Psychological fiction. |
Available copies
- 1 of 1 copy available at Louise Public Library.
Holds
- 0 current holds with 1 total copy.
Other Formats and Editions
Show All Copies
| Location | Call Number / Copy Notes | Barcode | Shelving Location | Holdable? | Status | Due Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Louise Public Library | AF BER (Text) | 3676100005562 | Adult Fiction | Volume hold | Available | - |
- Booklist Reviews : Booklist Reviews 2010 March #1
For everyone who has received an invitation to their high-school reunion and broken out in a cold, clammy sweat, Berg nails the experience: the dread that morphs into downright fear; the bouts of self-doubt that coalesce into prolonged periods of self-loathing; the internal inventory that comes up short in the bragging-rights column. Of course, there's just as much potential for life-affirming and life-altering revelations. Glory days can be relived, damaged reputations repaired, lapsed friendships restored, lost loves rekindled. As Dorothy, Pete, Mary Alice, Candy, and Lester consider returning to Clear Springs for their fortieth high-school reunion, each contemplates the chance for redemption and revenge, renewal and retribution. Ultimately, they are then surprised to discover how much they have yet to learn about human nature and their own capacity for joy and forgiveness. Luckily, the zestfully wise Berg is the perfect teacher for such tender lessons of the heart, and her sublimely authentic and winsome characters are apt students. Book groups are clamoring for upbeat yet significant works that are entertaining as well as enlightening; Berg's latest novel satisfies and succeeds on both counts. Copyright 2010 Booklist Reviews. - Kirkus Reviews : Kirkus Reviews 2010 February #2
A 40th high-school reunion reawakens old insecurities and crushes among former geeks, jocks, wallflowers and beauty queens.In the small Ohio town of Clear Springs, the high-school class of 1960-something is about to relapse into old roles. Three of the alums still live in Clear Springs. Lester, science nerd, is now a veterinarian. Mary Alice, a four-eyed ugly duckling who never married, is caring for her 92-year-old neighbor Einer. Divorcée Dorothy, who hovered on the fringes of popularity, is crash-dieting in hopes of seducing quarterback Pete Decker, who, she hears, is separated from his wife and high-school sweetheart Nora. Blonde lead cheerleader Candy has just been diagnosed with a terminal disease, and she intends to fly to the reunion accompanied by her bulldog in lieu of husband Coop, whose micromanagement she finds exhausting. Pam, the unpopular girl still tasked, thanklessly, with organizing events, has planned the ultimate buzz-kill for the reunion dinner-dance. While trying to dump his mistress and win back Nora, Pete suffers a heart attack. He escapes from the hospital to attend the reunion dressed in ill-fitting golf togs purchased at the airport. Nora flaunts her new boyfriend, while Mary Alice is escorted by Einer, who vows to protect her from classmates who used to haze her. When Dorothy arrives flanked by girlfriends who made up her small clique, she's dismayed to see Pete schmoozing Mary Alice. Einer shares his own high-school memoriesâthen, they called the cool crowd "superlatives." Candy seeks out Lester as her dinner mate, much to Mary Alice's dismay: She had high hopes after lunch with Lester. Candy invites Lester to her hotel room, to examine the suspicious lumps she's just discovered on her bulldog's abdomen. More cynical than her usual Anne Tylerâlite approach, Berg's depiction of her characters' mid-life follies and ongoing struggles with the specter of aging is at times hilarious, at times sad, but this time she steers clear of the maudlin to go for the jugular. Copyright Kirkus 2010 Kirkus/BPI Communications.All rights reserved. - Library Journal Reviews : LJ Reviews 2009 December #1
After 45 years, a woman attends her first high school reunion. Ripe for discussion (we all remember high school), so it's good that there are giveaways at book club events. But why no reading group guide? With an eight-city tour; should be big. Copyright 2009 Reed Business Information. - LJ Express Reviews : LJ Express Reviews
Berg (Home Safe) returns with another light and enjoyable read starring a variable cast. Everyone is preparing for their 40th high school reunion-the last one-and we hear from each character from their point of view. The usual high school suspects include Dorothy, the gossipy popular girl and member of an inseparable trio. Dorothy's dream is to rekindle the flames with handsome jock Pete Decker. But Pete's life is a mess; he thought that leaving his high school sweetheart and wife, Nora, for an incredibly young, incredibly hot woman was smart-until he learned that Sandy was also incredibly vacant. Nora attending the reunion with her new boyfriend isn't making things easier. And what about the golden girl, the beautiful Candy Sullivan-will she still be as beautiful? And that complete weirdo who everyone teased mercilessly, Mary Alice-is she still such a disaster? And Lester, the geeky smart guy? The geek has morphed into a catch-a single one to boot. What happens when this group finally walk through the hotel ballroom doors? Verdict Berg fans will enjoy the ride finding out. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 12/09; library marketing; large print ISBN 978-0-7393-7741-3; ebook ISBN 978-1-58836-892-8.]-Beth Gibbs, Davidson, NC Copyright 2010 Reed Business Information. - Publishers Weekly Reviews : PW Reviews 2010 February #4
A high school reunion and all of its attendant dramas is the backdrop of Berg's rose-tinted latest (after Home Safe). For Dorothy Shauman, her 40th reunion is the chance to finally hook up with her high school crush. She prepares weeks in advance for the big night, strange as that may seem, preening in front of the mirror. As Berg surveys the gamut of emotions felt by Dorothy and some of her classmates, she zeroes in on an array of stereotypesâthe hot girls, the jocks, the in crowd, the out crowdâand considers what makes each one tick, offering the vanilla revelation that the person on the inside doesn't always match the person on the outside. It's cleanly plotted, ably written, and sure to appeal to boomers staring down the barrel of their own 40th reunions. (Apr.)
[Page 41]. Copyright 2010 Reed Business Information.
