Every Last One by Anna Quindlen

Mary Beth Latham has built her life around her family, around caring for her three teenage children and preserving the rituals of their daily life. When one of her sons becomes depressed, Mary Beth focuses on him, only to be blindsided by a shocking act of violence. 

What happens afterward is a testament to the power of a woman’s love and determination, and to the invisible lines of hope and healing that connect one human being to another. 

Ultimately, as rendered in Anna Quindlen’s mesmerizing prose, Every Last One is a novel about facing every last one of the things we fear the most, about finding ways to navigate a road we never intended to travel. ~~synopsis from Goodreads

My thoughts about Every Last One ~~

This book really caught me by surprise. It was a bit of a shock when it was revealed what 'every last one' meant. I did love the book, even though it was a bit disturbing at times. Anna Quindlen's books are kind of like that aren't they? Very good but covering a sensitive topic.

We read this for one of my book groups and let me tell you, we had a fantastic discussion of the book. There were some very strong feelings expressed about some of the characters and their actions. I love it when one of our choices elicits such emotion.

I have to admit that I, too, was a little upset with some people in the book and how they handled crisis. Other than that, I loved the book. Ms. Quindlen is a great writer and I always love the topics she covers in her books.

If your book group is looking for a great book that will generate a lot of discussion, this would be a wonderful selection!

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