Items related to The Last Resort: A Novel
Like a loyal victorian wife, Jenny has devoted her life to her much older husband, the famous writer and naturalist Wilkie Walker, bringing up their children and researching and editing his best-selling books. But this year, as winter approaches, Wilkie is increasingly depressed and withdrawn. At her wit's, Jenny persuades him to visit Key West, the Last Resort. Within weeks of their arrival Jenny not only has a part-time job but is becoming involved with assorted local characters, including Gerry, an ex-beatnik poet, and Lee, the dramatically attractive manager of a women-only guesthouse. Wilkie, meanwhile, is planning his own "accidental" death by drowning-a task that turns out to be more difficult than he thought-and trying to avoid the attentions of a breathless young female fan.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
Review:
Alison Lurie is the author of many highly praised novels including The War Between the Tates, The Truth About Lorin Jones (Prix Femina Estranger, 1989), and Foreign Affairs (1985 Pulitzer Prize for fiction). She currently divides her time between Ithaca, Key West, and London.
The Last Resort finds Alison Lurie in top, trenchant form following a 10-year hiatus from fiction. "Without sex and death," the author wrote in Don't Tell the Grown-Ups, "humans may become as angels." Suffice it to say that the term angelic suits none of her newest cast, all of whom come up against life's realities during one Key West winter. Lurie's singular ensemble is spearheaded by the much younger wife of famed naturalist and writer Wilkie Walker, who is convinced that the world is "going to hell in a nonbiodegradable plastic handbasket." When the loving, supportive Jenny suggests they repair from New England to Florida, she hopes that he'll at last be able to finish his book and, more importantly, that his erratic behavior will come to an end. Of course, she has no goal for herself, since she's spent all her adult life as custodian to the aging author and can envision no other existence. Fortunately, a chance encounter with the owner of the successful women's guesthouse will eventually suggest a far more satisfying one.
About the Author:
For the irascible Wilkie, the trip turns out to be a blessing in disguise. Convinced that he's no longer in ecological vogue and certain that he's suffering from cancer, he's finally free to plan a tragic swimming accident. Alas, each of his attempts is foiled: once he can't get rid of a hanger-on, and another time someone else has the audacity to kill himself, thereby stealing his limelight. What's worse, the man was suffering from AIDS, and Wilkie certainly doesn't want that sort of information to sully his own obit. The Last Resort is a hilarious--and merciless--look at social and sexual desire and literary reputation. Jenny is well aware, for example, "that to refuse to look at a writer's work is always a deadly insult," whether the writer is her husband or an ex-beatnik poet. As one character reasonably remarks, "You don't have to be intellectually brilliant to be a famous American poet. It's a handicap, sometimes. Innocent egotism, good looks, romantic sensibility, a thrilling speaking voice, and a nice little lyric gift, that's what makes it with the reviewers and the public."
Lurie is always keen to prick any human vanity or fashionable ism--and does so exquisitely. In addition to its infinitely satisfying ironies and indelible characters, The Last Resort, though far from Arcadia, offers up a serious call for us to seize the "bright full present" while we can.
Alison Lurie is the author of many highly praised novels including The War Between the Tates, The Truth About Lorin Jones (Prix Femina Estranger, 1989), and Foreign Affairs (1985 Pulitzer Prize for fiction). She currently divides her time between Ithaca, Key West, and London.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
- PublisherHolt Paperbacks
- Publication date1999
- ISBN 10 0805061746
- ISBN 13 9780805061741
- BindingPaperback
- Number of pages336
- Rating
Other Popular Editions of the Same Title
Top Search Results from the AbeBooks Marketplace
Stock Image
The Last Resort: A Novel
Published by
Holt Paperbacks
(1999)
ISBN 10: 0805061746
ISBN 13: 9780805061741
Used
Softcover
Quantity: 4
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Condition: Good. Item in good condition. Textbooks may not include supplemental items i.e. CDs, access codes etc. Seller Inventory # 00032683814
Buy Used
US$ 4.46
Convert currency
Stock Image
The Last Resort: A Novel
Published by
Holt Paperbacks
(1999)
ISBN 10: 0805061746
ISBN 13: 9780805061741
Used
Softcover
Quantity: 1
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Condition: Very Good. A bright, square, and overall a nice copy. Seller Inventory # WAL-Q-1b-01370
Buy Used
US$ 1.00
Convert currency
Stock Image
The Last Resort: A Novel
Published by
Holt Paperbacks
(1999)
ISBN 10: 0805061746
ISBN 13: 9780805061741
Used
Softcover
Quantity: 1
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Condition: Good. 9781937933012. . All orders guaranteed and ship within 24 hours. Your purchase supports More Than Words, a nonprofi t job training program for youth, empowering youth to take charge of their lives by taking charge of a business. Seller Inventory # BOS-I-12c-01488
Buy Used
US$ 1.00
Convert currency
Stock Image
The Last Resort: A Novel
Published by
Holt Paperbacks
(1999)
ISBN 10: 0805061746
ISBN 13: 9780805061741
Used
Paperback
Quantity: 1
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Paperback. Condition: Good. This is a used book in good condition and may show some signs of use or wear . This is a used book in good condition and may show some signs of use or wear . Seller Inventory # mon0000428736
Buy Used
US$ 1.25
Convert currency
Stock Image
The Last Resort: A Novel
Published by
Holt Paperbacks
(1999)
ISBN 10: 0805061746
ISBN 13: 9780805061741
Used
Softcover
Quantity: 1
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Condition: Very Good. Very Good condition. A copy that may have a few cosmetic defects. May also contain a few markings such as an owner's name, short gifter's inscription or light stamp. Seller Inventory # M01V-00463
Buy Used
US$ 5.69
Convert currency
Stock Image
The Last Resort: A Novel
Published by
Holt Paperbacks
(1999)
ISBN 10: 0805061746
ISBN 13: 9780805061741
Used
Softcover
Quantity: 1
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Condition: As New. Like New condition. A near perfect copy that may have very minor cosmetic defects. Seller Inventory # T14E-01069
Buy Used
US$ 5.69
Convert currency
Stock Image
The Last Resort: A Novel
Published by
Holt Paperbacks
(1999)
ISBN 10: 0805061746
ISBN 13: 9780805061741
Used
Softcover
Quantity: 1
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Condition: Good. Good condition. A copy that has been read but remains intact. May contain markings such as bookplates, stamps, limited notes and highlighting, or a few light stains. Seller Inventory # I11A-01940
Buy Used
US$ 5.69
Convert currency
Stock Image
The Last Resort
Published by
Holt & Company, Henry
(1999)
ISBN 10: 0805061746
ISBN 13: 9780805061741
Used
Softcover
Quantity: 2
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Condition: Good. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages. Seller Inventory # 39303564-6
Buy Used
US$ 6.16
Convert currency
Stock Image
The Last Resort
Published by
Holt & Company, Henry
(1999)
ISBN 10: 0805061746
ISBN 13: 9780805061741
Used
Softcover
Quantity: 1
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Condition: Good. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages. Seller Inventory # 39303564-6
Buy Used
US$ 6.16
Convert currency
Stock Image
The Last Resort: A Novel
Published by
Holt Paperbacks
(1999)
ISBN 10: 0805061746
ISBN 13: 9780805061741
Used
paperback
Quantity: 1
Seller:
Rating
Book Description paperback. Condition: Very Good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!. Seller Inventory # S_379621074
Buy Used
US$ 3.24
Convert currency