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)

Every Last One

This is a well written book and it breaks your heart as such a horrible event could happen to any on us. The hopelessness of the Mother is understandable but she had no Faith of any kind. She was alone in a world where she does not have to be alone. I missed the lack of one prayer, one act of asking for help outside herself and friends. There was no one that once suggested there is life after this earth because I believe there is help from God our Father-this book is truly about a horrible event that would take such courage to just go on and especially if you are alone without God in your life. This person lived just in this world without hope for anything but here and never once imagine she would see this sweet people she loved so much again. No wonder she was so empty- so alone- unreachable. I wanted to say to her- Pray sweet lady- He is there and cares for you.

Best Yet!!

This beautifully written, heart-wrenching novel is so well narrated, that I found myself drawn into every character. The narrater made this story come alive and it is such an emotional powerhouse, it's effects have stayed with me for several days. I'll look for others narrated by Hope Davis.

Had a hard time connecting with any of the characters

I had a hard time connecting with the main character. I did not like her. The only part of the book I liked was the last 30 minutes or so. I think it was just that they were so upper middle class.

A story that makes you feel and think about life.

As a mother with children I could totally relate to this book as narrated by a mother. However, I don't think that is mandatory qualifier for anyone who reads the book. What I liked about the book is how it made me see how important it is to live each moment fully with your family. I cried my eyes out feeling the narrators pain and imagining my own.

To many details

Book was so, so, to many mundane details. At times it was like being on a Face Book page which I find very boring. Your heart goes out to the main character (the mom) but after a while it's to much. Finished it though, kept my interest needed to know how it ended.

Poignant and Powerful

Where does Every Last One rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Extremely high

What other book might you compare Every Last One to and why?

Love Anna Quinlan. Another favorite is Elizabeth Berg. Both tackle tough emotional subjects without over sentimentality and are able to focus on the faith and strength of the human spirit.

Have you listened to any of Hope Davis’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Hope Davis is an excellent reader.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Wow - so many. I think when I realized what happened to her family. I thought it was revealed in a particularly compelling way.

Took a while...

For me to get into this story. Started off a bit too slow for me but it was ok once the 'event' happened. Could have started off a lot better to really pique my interest...overall it was ok...

Good and bad

On the up side, this book was not the least bit predictable. On the down side, I felt it was kind of SLOW. Robust characters. Interesting (but dark) subject. Not what I was expecting. Really nice narration.

Well, the ending was worth it but

Ending was good but it's a slow listen. Not a great listen but not bad.

Not a bad read

I found the beginning to be a little long but once I actually got into the plot, I enjoyed it.