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)

Glad I stuck with it

This story starts off a little slow, but once the rising action starts the story is really good. It has a lot of heart-wrenching moments and you really get a grasp of what the characters are feeling. Excellent read.

What? This is a solid 19 stars, Are you kidding?

Any additional comments?

I laughed - I cried. I was emotionally all in with this book from the first word! So easy to listen to....visualize.....

I can see why Ann Quindlen is such a well respected author. This is the first novel of hers that I have read. It won't be my last....actually, it no longer is my first. I think what I like most about the way she writes is how she says just the right words to express how the character would think. She is always in the moment. Yes, though she was telling the story of this particular woman's journey - she also put into perfect words how women differ in different friendships. I have been searching for just how she put it.

I can't imagine not giving this book the highest of ratings and appreciation.

Great Story

I LOVED this book. I never would have guessed the outcome of the story. The story kept me listening to the very end. I don't cry often while reading or listening to books but this book lead me to tears, a little dangerous while driving.

Beautiful book

This book was amazing. I listened to it while I ran and I couldn't wait to go running! Hope Davis is a beautiful writer and this book was so sad but so beautiful and mesmerizing. I might listen to it again!

Every Last One

Stunning. First review I have ever written. Found it when I queried Hope Davis. She is the best narrator. You can picture everything happening as you listen. It is emotional and real. Incredible read. Hate that it has ended.

One of the best books I have listened to

This is the first audible book that I have listened to that had me literally in tears. Quindlen has captured most of her characters beautifully - especially the children and their relationship to their mother and to each other as well as the main character and narrator - Mary Beth. The author's use of language and dialog is spot on. It is also one of the saddest stories that will stay with me for a long time. Hope Davis was an excellent narrator. I very highly recommend this if you enjoy poignant, human and tragic tales.

Hard to get into.

I love Anna Quindlen's writing. So I was a bit disappointed when the beginning of the book dragged. I got it very early that the family's life was pretty average; it didn't need to take the entire Part 1. Once things started happening though, Quindlen's writing became "hers" again.

You gotta like a tearjerker

This is a very very depressing book, brought tears more than once, and made life around me very gray. I have teenagers and I found myself hovering a bit and challenging a number of decisions the main character makes. She's a lot like a lot of us who are middle class moms, at least until you dig a little deeper.
Anyway, if you like sad and emotional, this is a five-star book, well written and well read. Quindlen is a master at character development but a bit short on plot.

I listened to it twice!

Since I didn't have a book jacket, I had no idea what was coming. I have never read such an authentic picture of a family and I was completely entrenched in the ongoing stresses of a family with teenagers. I did not find it depressing -- just very real. Excellent book Excellent narrator.

And I've never listened to a book twice.

Well Done

About an hour into this book, I was just on the verge of thinking it was too slow and the detail and minutiae of the Latham's life, which at first seemed like I was hearing every single day of it, was a bit too much. I was wrong- these details pull you into their lives, you become familiar with this family and you care about the characters by knowing so much about them. This knowing the rhythm and routine makes the event in the middle of the book devastating. I wanted the book to end differently, even though I knew that given the events that occurred, a happy ending wasn't possible. The characters are well written and defined as individuals, and Hope Davis gives them voice through her excellent reading. I highly recommend this book.