Review: The Last Time They Met by Anita Shreve

No one recommended this book to me. It is by chance I came across a collection of Ms Shreve's book. I was browsing at MPH Alamanda, trying to look for Nora Robert's Red Lily. Then, somehow I moved to the fiction side, hoping that maybe Dan Brown has something new. Of course, he doesn't. Then I saw a line of pastel coloured paperbacks. I read the synopsis for few of them and was intrigued. And I bought this title.

I have never wrote a book review before (safe the ones that I did when I was in school.. you know, during that Reading Month...). So, this is my first attempt to do so. Any comments are welcomed.

This story is about unconditional love. Love that survives 26 years of separation, different relationships, different places and time. (Heh.. I'm starting to sound very romantic... ha ha ha).

The narration started when Linda at 52 years old, a renowned poet, attended a literary festival. To her surprise she met her ex-lover, Thomas, an accomplished poet long before she did. At middle age, they both have been married, had kids, gone through ups and downs of life and relationships. They are both different person, so to speak. But one thing was constant even after all those, that's their, ehem... love.

The second part of the book took place when they were in their 20s, meeting by chance in Kenya. There their passion rekindled, resulting in chaos and difficulties in their current relationship. Psst... they were both married to different people at this time. Ish... Ish.. Ish... In this period of time, however, you get to learn the personalities of Linda and Thomas, as well as the people that they are married to; Peter and Regina. You will acknowledge the emotional turmoil that they were going through that makes you understand why they got back together.

The last part of the book, is actually the first time they both met. When they were sixteen. They were attracted to each other from the start, and from there on they learn that they actually sort of meant to be together. However, a car accident, Thomas was driving, separated them.

Although the story was presented in an easy going manner, but it seems like the author rushed to tell everything. The only part that was really explored was when both characters were in Kenya (I understand from another review this probably resulted from the fact that the author did spend some time in Africa). The scenarios and plot could actually be developed more to give in depth view of the story. Readers will string along the events as they read the book, and construct the image in their minds.

The ending of the book makes you want to read the book again immediately. Because it is the start of the whole thing. The book does not have a definite conclusion. Which is really interesting in a way, annoying in another. For the ones who devour happy endings (like me), you apply romanticism and they lived happily ever after (which will not be quite true, if you read the book you'll know why). For the sceptics, well, we shall just leave it at that.

This book is about life, in general. Of the reality of relationships. Of people. Of the world. No, you will not find sordid details of coupling (ha ha ha), because this is not a romance novel. It's what happening all year round, everywhere, around us. It's a romance with realism. Love story with both feet firm on the ground.

Will I buy another from the author, you asked? I surely will. Am I recommending this book to you? Duhh, why should I do the review if I'm not recommending it? Oh ya... probably just for the fun of babbling.. ha ha ha...