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The Last Time I Saw You: A Novel |  | Author: Elizabeth Berg
Publisher: Random House
Category: eBooks
This item is no longer available
Rating:  52 reviews
Sales Rank: 3106
Format: Kindle Book
Media: Kindle Edition
Pages: 256
Number Of Items: 1
Dewey Decimal Number: 813.54
ASIN: B0036S4CGG
Publication Date: March 25, 2010
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Product Description
From the beloved bestselling author of Home Safe and The Year of Pleasures, comes a wonderful new novel about women and men reconnecting with one another—and themselves—at their fortieth high school reunion.
To each of the men and women in The Last Time I Saw You, 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.
As the onetime classmates meet up over the course of a weekend, they discover things that will irrevocably affect the rest of their lives. For newly divorced Dorothy Shauman, the reunion brings with it the possibility of finally attracting the attention of the class heartthrob, Pete Decker. For the ever self-reliant, ever left-out Mary Alice Mayhew, it’s a chance to reexamine a painful past. For Lester Heseenpfeffer, a veterinarian and widower, it is the hope of talking shop with a fellow vet—or at least that’s what he tells himself. For Candy Armstrong, the class beauty, it’s the hope of finding friendship before it is too late.
As Dorothy, Mary Alice, Lester, Candy, and the other classmates converge for the reunion dinner, four decades melt away: Desires and personalities from their youth reemerge, and new discoveries are made. For so much has happened to them all. And so much can still happen.
In this beautiful novel, Elizabeth Berg deftly weaves together stories of roads taken and not taken, choices made and opportunities missed, and the possibilities of second chances.
From the Hardcover edition.
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 52
 Not up to Ms Berg's standard August 29, 2010
Cathleen Keane (manchester CT)
Having been a fan of Elizabeth Berg for many years, it saddens me that this book was not good at all. I Have the feeling her heart was not in this book, and boy, did it show. I am a bit older than this reunion group, having just attended my 45th last October. Some of what she relates is true---trying to lose a few pounds beforehand, buy just the right outfit, etc. I thought I was going to relate to the story. Could not be more off the mark. Sure, some things rang true---Spoiler alert---Pete, the jock who saved the night with his speech to his classmate's son was quite believable. I could also relate to the conversations around the tables, eg "we don't look old, do we? or "how did this happen to us---we're now old people!"----same conversations that went on at our table. I know this is nit-picking, but Ms Berg, couldn't you have done a little research on the music? Just Google 60's music. Easy enough. I graduated in 1964---Beatles had just arrived, Roy Orbison was huge (Pretty Woman, anybody?) Lots of English groups just hitting the U.S. My brother graduated in 1961 and his crowd danced to the Lettermen, Ricky Nelson, Chuch Berry. I agree with other posters that the repeating over and over about this being the "last reunion" annoyed me too. We're already planning the 50th!!!
I do like Elizabeth Berg, and will continue to read her, but I think her mind was elswhere while writing The Last Time I Saw You. Sorry, but I'm glad this was a library book and I did not spend money on it.
...and I got this because....... July 30, 2010
Daphne Thompson (Shoreview, MN United States)
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
Lightweight piece, good for a quick read when you really don't want to have to think.
 Good read but not as good as author's usual books. July 22, 2010
barbara
I enjoyed the book very much; Elizabeth Berg is such a good author and I love her sense of humor. It didn't seem to me to be as good as her other books but I still loved it; I can't wait for her next one, and I hope it's soon. I attended my 50th class reunion last year and it wasn't anything like the one in the book--I guess we've matured a lot more since the 25th reunion, which this book was about. Anyway, if you like Elizabeth Berg you will like the book.
 The Last Time I Saw You July 17, 2010
Avid Reader (Washington, D.C.)
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
A major disappointment. I've liked many of Berg's previous books, specifically "Talk Before Sleep" and "Range of Motion." The last book of hers I read was "The Year of Pleasures," which was fine, although not as good as the earlier two I mentioned. But "The Last Time I Saw You" feels dashed off, and almost as if the author were bored. Berg is capable of SO much better. Perhaps I wouldn't be as harsh if this book were written by someone else. It's just completely fluffy, nothing redeeming in it at all, and a waste of time. Let's hope Berg does better with her next book.
 Berg Provides Another Well Crafted Women's Fiction Novel July 16, 2010
Tina Says (Iowa)
I have begun to count on Elizabeth Berg's books as rewarding and enjoyable reads. Years ago I was introduced to Berg through Oprah's book club and have made it a point to read everything she has published since. And Berg has done her part by continuing to churn out women's fiction books almost on a yearly basis.
Her latest book, The Last Time I Saw You, centers around a group of fifty-somethings who are getting ready to attend their fortieth class reunion. Through the lives of a few main characters Berg is able to accurately depict what life is like for most people at this point in their lives.
Mary Ann Mayhew is planning on attending her reunion, despite the fact that she was often ridiculed in high school. While at first I felt sorry for Mary Ann, I quickly changed my mind, realizing how much Mary Ann had going for her that was not appreciated by her peers. NEver married, she moved back into her parents' home after their deaths and has a close friendship with an elderly gentleman who she agrees to take with her to the reunion.
Peter, one of the high school guys that managed to often be the center of attention, attracting many girls in his youth, is hoping to attend his high school reunion with his estranged wife, Nora. Peter is trying to win back his wife after having cheated on her. Peter was likeable at times, and at others, showed his shallow character. Truly, Peter was a character still learning about himself and making changes to his life.
Candy Armstrong was the girl that many a high school boy found very attractive. While she had a promising social life in her teen years, her marriage has left her feeling very alone. Her husband is able to provide for her nicely financially, allowing her many material posessions, but he lacks any real emotional ability to be in a marriage. When Candy is diagnosed with ovarian cancer just days before her reunion, her husband's reaction seems to be one of annoyance at this inconvenience.
Lester, much like Mary Ann was often ridiculed by his peers while in high school. However, the intelligence many determined to be nerdy or uncool in their youth, allowed Lester to attend vetrinary school. After losing his wife and unborn child at an early age, Lester remains alone, not against the idea of finding companionship, but not looking for it actively, either.
Just as with many high school reunions those who attend want to look their best and impress the others who are there. While some of Berg's characters still seem stuck in the glory of their youth, others have moved on and become much more caring and mature adults. I so appreciated the way Berg was able to write about an experience that many have had and capture the feelings that these events elicit.
This is another winner by Elizabeth Berg, a great choice for book clubs and other women's fiction readers.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 52
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