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There are currently 46 member reviews
for The Last Romantics
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Sara L. (Highland Park, IL)
The Last Romantics by Tara Conklin
Both The Friend, by Sigrid Nunez (winner of the 2018 National Book Award) and Asymmetry, by Lisa Halliday (The New York Times and New Yorker Best of 2018 Lists) are books featuring writers as the central character. The Last Romantics, by Tara Conklin, is narrated by a centenarian poet of "some renown" as she relates the story of her family. The book explores the impact of trauma on four siblings and its effect on each of them personally and collectively. It serves as both a tribute and an assessment of love--familial as well as romantic - in terms of how much we owe others and at what cost to ourselves. Book clubs will love this one!
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Mary Lou F. (Naples, FL)
What is love?
This dysfunctional family try to figure, in their own ways, what love is all about. Interesting conclusions made by all of them.
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Freya H. (Towanda, PA)
The Last Romantics
Well, I loved Tara Conklin's "The House Girl". This book not so much. It was beautifully written which is why I made it to the final page. I was not particularly attached to any of the characters even though they were very well developed. The book may be interesting to some Book Clubs.
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Christine B. (Lilydale, MN)
Where is Romance
This novel had so many different aspects to it. Told from the voice of Fiona , one of the four Skinner siblings, their interactions pull us into their diverse worlds. They certainly depend on each other, which begins when their mother went through her "pause". Throughout this time their brother Joe becomes their hero and a lasting thread holding them together. However, their solidarity is extremely tested when Joe has drug problems and eventually dies. Fiona seems on a quest her entire life for the love she was seeking and starts a blog to find her answers. I wish the author had not veered into the direction of Fiona's blog. It reminded me too much of "Sex and the City" which belittled Fiona's talent. There is a huge question at the end of this novel which would certainly keep a book club busy discussing. The lives of Caroline and Renee, Fiona's two sisters, are also integral to the story and not to be dismissed.
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Liz B. (Fairview, TX)
Wonderful Read
Overall, I very much enjoyed The Last Romantics by Tara Conklin. The sibling relationships were well-developed and it was interesting to watch the various relationships ebb and flow, after a difficult time in their lives that they refer to as “the Pause”. The novel has a sad overtone throughout and yet remains very readable. A page turner even. I would have easily given it 5 stars if not for the occasional unusual moments of storytelling in 2079. This admittedly small part of the novel felt confusing and unnecessary. Otherwise, a terrific story. I would definitely recommend it for book clubs.
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Cheryl W. (Crosby, MN)
Dysfunctional to the max
The Skinner family sure had their trials and tribulations in this story. Lots of unrecognized mental illness. I enjoyed the interactions and craziness. The loss of a sibling throws this family into a wild ride. The siblings raised themselves while their mother went through "the pause" and the result of their childhood and how they learned to love.
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Diane D. (Mount Pleasant, SC)
Conklin is a storyteller!
Family dysfunction is at it's best in The Last Romantics! An entwining, realistic family saga centered around the Skinner siblings and their lives after a traumatic childhood event. Conklin takes us along on a turbulent, twisting ride with the Skinner siblings. If you like family drama, pick up this book, you won't be disappointed!!
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