Lisa R. (alterlisa) -
Helpful Score: 2
This book was a wonderful blending of the past and the present and the captivating mystery kept me reading late into the night.
I grew up in a town very like the one in this story in the foothills of North Carolina and though I'd have only been 10 at the time this happened, I am both fascinated and horrified to realize that events that happened in this book could and did take place in my lifetime and possibily in my community.
It took awhile to see the connection in what was going on in 1965 to the events in 2010 but when they connected wow! I must say I had very little of it figured out and what a surprise ending. It was perfect. If you want a read that will keep you thinking about it long after you've finished it then read THE LAST HOUSE ON THE STREET.
I grew up in a town very like the one in this story in the foothills of North Carolina and though I'd have only been 10 at the time this happened, I am both fascinated and horrified to realize that events that happened in this book could and did take place in my lifetime and possibily in my community.
It took awhile to see the connection in what was going on in 1965 to the events in 2010 but when they connected wow! I must say I had very little of it figured out and what a surprise ending. It was perfect. If you want a read that will keep you thinking about it long after you've finished it then read THE LAST HOUSE ON THE STREET.
Valerie S. (VolunteerVal) -
Helpful Score: 2
I love reading dual timeline novels, and Diane Chamberlain is quickly becoming a must-read author for them. Her new release is very relevant with so much voting legislation currently pending at state and federal levels. It's so frustrating that our nation is regressing rather than moving forward in this vital area
The Last House on the Street is set in a small North Carolina town in 1965 and 2010. The earlier timeline centers around Ellie, a 20-year-old college student who develops a passion for assisting Blacks to register to vote. She's determined to volunteer in the SCOPE project (Summer Community Organization and Political Education) even though all other volunteers are from the North and her family vehemently opposes her involvement. The prejudice, social injustice, and danger involved in this activity was effectively depicted and made me so sad and angry.
The more contemporary story features Kayla, a young widow as she goes through the bittersweet experience of moving into the home she designed with her recently-deceased husband. She doesn't want to live there, but she can't imagine anyone else living there either. Before and after her move, strange events occur that make her reconsider her decision to live in the beautiful home where her husband died. She has even more misgivings as she learns the history of the land her "dream home" is built on and meets the occupants of the only other home on the street.
I work in our county election office and believe strongly in voting rights for all so this novel hit a sweet spot for me. I was definitely more connected to the historic plot. The ways the stories are intertwined was carefully crafted and brought closure for key characters in both eras. It was difficult to read about the KKK and brutal acts of violence, but these are events in our nation's history that must not be forgotten.
Thank you to St, Martin's Press and NetGalley for the review copy of this powerful novel.
The Last House on the Street is set in a small North Carolina town in 1965 and 2010. The earlier timeline centers around Ellie, a 20-year-old college student who develops a passion for assisting Blacks to register to vote. She's determined to volunteer in the SCOPE project (Summer Community Organization and Political Education) even though all other volunteers are from the North and her family vehemently opposes her involvement. The prejudice, social injustice, and danger involved in this activity was effectively depicted and made me so sad and angry.
The more contemporary story features Kayla, a young widow as she goes through the bittersweet experience of moving into the home she designed with her recently-deceased husband. She doesn't want to live there, but she can't imagine anyone else living there either. Before and after her move, strange events occur that make her reconsider her decision to live in the beautiful home where her husband died. She has even more misgivings as she learns the history of the land her "dream home" is built on and meets the occupants of the only other home on the street.
I work in our county election office and believe strongly in voting rights for all so this novel hit a sweet spot for me. I was definitely more connected to the historic plot. The ways the stories are intertwined was carefully crafted and brought closure for key characters in both eras. It was difficult to read about the KKK and brutal acts of violence, but these are events in our nation's history that must not be forgotten.
Thank you to St, Martin's Press and NetGalley for the review copy of this powerful novel.
The Last House on the Street by Diane Chamberlain is based on the history of voting rights in the South. I see the history identified in the story, read nonfiction articles about the history, and come back to the story with a better understanding of its context. For me, the book works because the parallel stories Ellie and Kayla work. It once again leaves me thinking of the divisions we create based on race and the atrocities that leads to.
Read my complete review at http://www.memoriesfrombooks.com/2023/02/the-last-house-on-street.html
Reviewed for NetGalley.
Read my complete review at http://www.memoriesfrombooks.com/2023/02/the-last-house-on-street.html
Reviewed for NetGalley.
Eadie B. (eadieburke) -
Kayla Carter's husband dies in an accident while building their dream house, she knows she has to stay strong for their four-year-old daughter. Kayla's elderly new neighbor, Ellie Hockley has secrets that stretch back almost fifty years. Is Ellie on a quest to right the wrongs of the past? And does the house at the end of the street hold the key? Told in dual time periods, The Last House on the Street is a novel of shocking prejudice and violence, forbidden love, the search for justice, and the tangled vines of two families. The story involves Ellie in 1965 (SCOPE's main purpose is to help Black people register to vote) and Kayla in 2010 (a young widow who has just moved into a house with her four-year-old daughter). I love Diane Chamberlain's books and this one was about racial issues from the 60's. It's a story of love, courage and coming of age. If you like historical fiction then you would love this book. I'm looking forward to the next Diane Chamberlain book.
April F. (aprillynn) reviewed The Last House on the Street (Audio CD) (Unabridged) on + 77 more book reviews
Told in dual timelines by 2 different characters (1965 - Ellie & 2010 - Kayla) this novel covers the Civil Rights movement with a lasting mystery element in 2010. The ending broke my heart.
I loved the narration of this book and was happy to see Susan Bennett is the narrator for several Diane Chamberlain books! On to the next.
I loved the narration of this book and was happy to see Susan Bennett is the narrator for several Diane Chamberlain books! On to the next.
