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There are currently 9 member reviews
for The Last Good Paradise
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Jill S. (Chicago, IL)
Not exactly paradise
I absolutely loved Tatjana's Soli's previous books -- The Lotus Eaters and The Forgetting Tree. Both were haunting and I couldn't wait to get my hands on this one. Here, Ms. Soli seems to have traded poignancy and insights for slapstick entertainment (think: Gilligan's Island instead of Lord of the Flies, for example). Although the writing remains strong and the more comic approach may appeal to a different audience, I found myself increasingly not connecting to the characters. Of course, my opinion is subjective and others may like it more.
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Rebecca G. (Havertown, PA)
Paradise Lost
I wanted to like this book, I really did. Admittedly, there are good pieces; some of the writing is gorgeous, the food descriptions are mouth watering, though few and far between. I was looking forward to a book filled with quirky characters. What I found were selfish, self indulgent, whinny people. Do I stay or go; do I love or hate, do I stand up for the right or stand back and do nothing. ugh. Sometimes it made my head spin. Not one character was likable. I also questioned the inclusion of the ill effects of nuclear testing, especially by the French. It seemed like an after thought and not really the best forum. If the author's intention was to inspire outrage in nuclear testing, in my opinion, she fell short and it just underlined the fickleness of her characters. I am not really sure who this book will appeal to, perhaps Tatjana Soli fans.
