Every Last One

By: Anna Quindlen

Narrated by: Hope Davis

Length: 10 hrs and 5 mins

Publisher's summary

In this breathtaking and beautiful novel, the number-one New York Times best-selling author Anna Quindlen creates an unforgettable portrait of a mother, a father, a family, and the explosive, violent consequences of what seem like inconsequential actions.

Mary Beth Latham is first and foremost a mother, one whose three teenaged children come first, before her career as a landscape gardener, or even her life as the wife of a doctor. Caring for her family and preserving their everyday life is paramount. And so, when one of her sons, Max, becomes depressed, Mary Beth becomes focused on him, and is blindsided by a shocking act of violence. What happens afterwards is a testament to the power of a womans love and determination, and to the invisible line of hope and healing that connects one human being with another.

Ultimately, in the hands of Anna Quindlen's mesmerizing prose, Every Last One is a novel about facing every last one of the the things we fear most, about finding ways to navigate a road we never intended to travel, to live a life we never dreamed we'd have to live but must be brave enough to try.

©2010 Anna Quindlen (P)2010 Simon & Schuster

Critic reviews

“Spellbinding.” ( The New York Times Book Review)

“In a tale that rings strikingly true, [Anna] Quindlen captures both the beauty and the breathtaking fragility of family life.” ( People)

“We come to love this family, because Quindlen makes their ordinary lives so fascinating.” ( USA Today)

One of the best I have heard

Excellent plot and character development.
Because I knew something was going to happen (but had no idea what it would be), I hung on every word from the start. This book reminded me that nothing/no one lasts forever. The descriptions of loss and emptiness were authentic and the narrator was superb. Highly recommended.

depressing story

Although the book is well written and the narration is very good, I didn't enjoy this audiobook. I choose not to watch the evening news because hearing stories about violence against innocent victims make me very sad and this book did just that. The author is a talented writer, but the story was too depressing for me.

Terrific read; Hope Davis is remarkable

Beautifully written and read. Profound examination of family life, grief, and loss. Story arc okay.

Haunting yet beautiful

It has been several months since I listened to this book but it has stayed with me. I have read most of what Anna Quindlen has written and this one is tied with Deep End of the Ocean for trauma and survival. Hope Davis does a brilliant job of narration. Having just finished The Help, with 3 different voices, it took a little time to get used to one voice reading all the characters. I was at times deeply moved and saddened by the book.
I listened to it only in the car and became so engrossed at one point that I missed my turn( I was in the country) and drove several miles out of my way. This is not a 'pick me up' book in any sense. But the characters, the relationships and the descriptions are outstanding and riveting. I would highly recommed this book.

I expected more

The writing was good, but this book could have ended half way through. Because there was so much left after the main event, I was expecting another big reveal, another big event.... but, no. It was disappointing.

Barely made to the end

very slow too much "visualization" in the beginning or not enough when needed. I almost missed the main event which was boring enough that i fell asleep, the ending was bad, left too many characters hanging.
I do give props to the narrator Hope Davis she did her best to keep the book interesting.

Swept me up

I was taken by this book right from the start. Great, interesting and quirky characters. So smoothly written and the ‘bam’ knew something was coming but that was a surprise. The aftermath, feelings snd how it was all dealt with, Anna Quindlen never lets you down. This was read beautifully.

good not great

Great character development -- but the book is over written. The use of descriptive language felt at times like the author was trying too hard. An opportunity was missed by not doing more with the relationship between Marybeth and Deborah. That was the most fascinationg but, ultmately, the least satisfying story line. A good book, but a bit of a disappointment.

Grief - the equalizer

I have done grief counseling and was very impressed in how the author so aptly described the mother's grief, pain and the resultant behaviors, thoughts, and reactions. All very realistic and one can feel her pain so vividly. At the same time, the novel also serves as a teaching tool in several ways. For anyone who has experienced grief, this novel may serve to remind you of your own grief experiences. While at first, this may upset you, this woman's grief and her reactions to that grief will also remind you that your own reactions were perfectly normal if you ever felt like you were going crazy. For those that have not experienced loss will have this book as a foundation and reminder of what it is like to grieve someone and may help you understand and accept your own particular grief feelings and behaviors. And for those who have someone close to them that is experiencing a major loss, this book will help you understand their pain

All in all - excellent and I agree the narrator did a great job, particularly in the second half of the book.

Riveting and heartbreaking

One of the best books I have ever listened to. I want to listen to it all over again.