The Last September
Author: Nina de Gramont
Brett has always loved Charlie more than he has loved her. And now he has been murdered and the suspect is Eli, Charlie’s bipolar brother. As Brett relives her life and seeks Charlie’s murderer, Nina de Gramont serves up an emotionally entwined, succulent tale of love, family and loss.
The Last September, full of the collage of emotion and a palette of characters that assume a place in our lives immediately, is a novel that trills a tale of mystery and murder. And yet Charlie’s murder is not the main theme. As Brett comes face to face with the reality of her life, as a mother, a friend to Eli and a wife to a man whose narcissism defines her, she grows into reality.
Brett and Eli are best friends in college. Eli is fun and smart, and he loves Brett. And then one day, Eli’s charismatic and careless brother Charlie comes to one of Eli’s dorm parties, and Brett knows she must pursue the fair and charming elusiveness of Charlie. Eli warns Brett of Charlie’s carelessness with women, his easy charm, his lack of authenticity, but Brett chooses to ignore Eli’s warning.
Brett and Eli marry, move to a borrowed house against the shifting dunes of Cape Cod, and have a baby, Sarah. Brett still works on her PhD in literature and takes care of Sarah. Charlie has used all of Brett’s inheritance to open a restaurant that falls apart due to Charlie’s lack of focus. He has an affair with the hostess at the restaurant and Brett ponders all this as Eli is presented as the suspect in Charlie’s death.
Full of poignant prose, a brilliant presentation of Eli’s illness and the toll it takes on his family, and a plot that ebbs and tides with the ocean and sand dunes, The Last September in non-put-down-able. Sleek and elegant, The Last September is a must read.
Ratings are based on a 5-star scale
Overall: 4.5
Review by Broad “A”
We received a copy of this title for our book review. All opinions are our own
The Last September
Leave a Reply