Summer Reading Book Review: The Last Time I Saw You, by Elizabeth Berg

Like many avid readers, I have my favorite authors and look forward to their latest book's publication. Elizabeth Berg is one of those writers whose work resonates with me. I like her insights into adult female characters, especially around their roles as mothers and wives. However, there are some authors who start to disappoint me once they reach their seventh or so book. I almost feel like the book editors are pushing them to come up with an idea and then quickly finish the novel, even though it's barely developed in their mind, perhaps.

This was the case with Berg's latest book. It's shorter than some of her others, and that works fine. However, the characters are not very likeable and not very well developed. And, the plot, which centers around four protagonists preparing to attend their 40th high school reunion, is thin. I think the author was trying to discuss how the characters changed since their glory days, or not so happy days, in high school but the reader isn't privy to any of the events that contributed to who they are today. Therefore, I wasn't particularly sympathetic, even to the one character--the former Homecoming Queen--when she is diagnosed with cancer. The "mean girl," Dorothy, repulsed me because she clearly had not changed at all. In fact, I was apalled by how some of the characters thoughts and actions were more reminiscent of an adolescent than a 58-year old. I was embarrassed for them!!

I also think that the author was trying to show how the characters' lives were changed by attending the reunion but, again. The reader is supposed to "get" this in about two chapters worth of abrupt summary at the end of the book.

I read the book until the end because I kept waiting for something exciting to happen. It never did.

Reviewed by Karen Dydzuhn