The Last Time I Saw You by Elizabeth Berg

Mary Elizabeth Berg, Fiction, Library Copy, Word Shakers Book Club

Title: The Last Time I Saw You

Author: Elizabeth Berg

Genre: Fiction

About: (from the book flap):  From the beloved bestselling author of Home Safe and The Year of Pleasures, comes a wonderful new novel about women and men reconnecting with one another—and themselves—at their fortieth high school reunion.

My thoughts: Imagine getting ready for your 40th and final class reunion.  That’s what the characters in Elizabeth Berg’s latest novel are doing.  Everyone is a little nervous but since it’s the last one they make the effort to attend.  We meet the popular jock, the beautiful cheerleader, the nerds, and a host of others.  It was easy to fill in with my own high school classmate version of each character.  The event finally arrives and it was interesting to watch it unfold.  Berg made me laugh out loud one minute and feel the ache of sadness the next.

Since there are several characters some of them are not as developed as I’m used to finding in Berg’s novels – probably due to the fact that the book is only 244 pages. There are comic moments as well as bittersweet but, as with most Berg novels, the end is hopeful – not wrapped up with a pretty bow – but hopeful nonetheless. I liked that.

Recommend? Yes, for Elizabeth Berg fans and anyone who has contemplated going to a high school class reunion.

Source: Library

24 thoughts on “The Last Time I Saw You by Elizabeth Berg”

  4. I’ve not yet read this, but I so enjoy reading Elizabeth Berg. Lovely review, Mary!

    Have a nice weekend.

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  7. I’ve been curious about this one for a long time. For some reason the whole idea of the reunion doesn’t appeal to me although I’ve really loved many of her books. I may eventually read it though. Glad you enjoyed it.

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  9. I’m reading this for a bookclub right now and I’m just finding it a bit hard to get into. Maybe I’m just having a hard time identifying with the characters. Oh well, hopefully I’ll get a bit more into it as I keep reading.

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  11. For some reason I’ve never read any of Berg’s books although she comes highly recommended. This is definitely one for the list. It won’t be long and it will be time for our 50th class reunion. Yow! How did that happen?

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  12. I really enjoy Berg’s books and will certainly read this one even though I have no desire to attend any of my high school reunions! 😀

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  13. I missed my 10 year high school reunion… hmmm I wonder if they would have another one soon. Seems it’s always a gathering to catch up on where & who we’ve become.

    Another enjoyable review and adding this one on the list to watch out for.

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  14. I have a high school reunion this Spring – still on the fence about whether I will attend. I wonder if I read this before whether it will convince me to go or to stay home?

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  15. This is the first book I read by the author. I have to say I was disappointed with it. I didn’t like any of the characters. I’ll have to read another book by the author as I’ve read numerous glowing reviews about her work.

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  16. I really want to get at least one Berg book on my shelves (after I clear them off a bit, that is!) This sounds wonderful. I loved seeing how much people changed at my high school reunion (and how some of the “mean” kids didn’t turn out so well – I’m kind of into the karma thing and sometimes I get a guilty pleasure out of seeing it come back) 🙂

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  19. I love Berg and missed my 20th high school reunion last October since I was in the hospital having Gage. I think I need to read this one!

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  20. I am still in high school, and have many years before having to worry about reunions, but this book has seemed really sweet to me since I first heard of it. This is weird, but I’ve been thinking about your blog for the past few days and realized that I hadn’t been to your blog in quite some time. So I found it, and it seems I’ve missed a lot. I’m glad I found it. Your blog was always one of my favorites.

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    • Robby, I’m glad you found me 🙂 I moved to wordpress last June so maybe that’s where you lost track of me. Life got busy and I cut back to just the Mailbox Monday meme and reviews. I hope you’re well!

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