“The Last House on the Street” immediately draws you into its world, a dual timeline narrative that effortlessly captivates from the first page. This isn’t just a book; it’s an experience, weaving together two emotionally charged storylines set in 1965 and 2010 that resonate deeply and blend seamlessly. Diane Chamberlain masterfully explores profound themes – racial prejudice, interracial relationships, forbidden love, resentment, the complexities of small-town communities, love, loss, death, activism, social justice, family bonds, friendships, heartbreak, warmth, and even moments of humor. It’s the kind of book that makes you willingly lose track of time, turning pages late into the night.
The suspense and mystery are expertly crafted, building tension relentlessly until the very last page. The narrative’s strength lies in its unpredictable nature, leading you to consider multiple possible outcomes, a testament to Chamberlain’s storytelling prowess. The ending chosen by Diane Chamberlain is both wise and impactful, prompting reflection and lingering thoughts long after you’ve finished reading. While the chosen path is satisfying, the richness of the narrative playfully invites readers to imagine alternative conclusions.
In 1965, we are introduced to Ellie Hockley, a young woman from Round Hill, North Carolina, shaped by the profound influence of her Aunt Carol. Aunt Carol, a bold and outspoken activist, served as a beacon of understanding for Ellie, a sentiment reciprocated by Ellie towards her aunt. At twenty, home from the University of North Carolina for spring break and immersed in a five-year pharmacology program, Ellie finds herself at a crossroads. Her family’s living room scene – her father engrossed in the newspaper, her mechanically gifted brother Buddy tinkering, her mother and best friend Brenda (soon to marry Garner Cleveland) admiring wedding dresses – paints a picture of conventional expectations. Brenda’s fiancé’s best friend, Reed Miller, Ellie’s boyfriend of four years, embodies this conventional path – a respected, smart, and handsome young man on track for a successful banking career. Their double dates with Brenda and Garner were a staple, but during this spring break, a pivotal moment of clarity strikes Ellie. She envisions a future that no longer aligns with her desires, a future starkly different from the path her admired Aunt Carol, a former army nurse and civil rights champion, had forged. Marriage holds no allure for Ellie; instead, she feels a compelling pull towards fighting for justice, echoing her aunt’s legacy.
Summers home from college usually meant working at her father’s pharmacy. However, the summer of 1965 was different. Driven by a burgeoning sense of social responsibility, Ellie is drawn to the SCOPE (Summer Community Organization and Political Education project), a program bringing white students from the North to the South to register Black voters. These volunteers were to live within the communities, going door-to-door to facilitate voter registration, aiming to dismantle racial barriers in American politics. This initiative perfectly aligns with the activism Aunt Carol championed. Yet, in the predominantly white community of Round Hill, the arrival of these volunteers was met with apprehension and disapproval. Justice advocacy was not a family trait, nor was it shared by Brenda or Garner. Even Reed, while admiring Ellie’s compassion, was reluctant to spend the summer apart. Ellie’s desire to aid Black voters as a white Southern woman was not only unusual but potentially perilous, especially in North Carolina, a state with a significant Ku Klux Klan presence. The stark warning, “The thing the Klan hates more than a Negro man is a white person who tries to ‘help’ a Negro,” underscores the danger. Despite discouragement from her parents, Buddy, Brenda, Reed, and even Reverend Greg Filbern, a local Black pastor, Ellie resolutely joins SCOPE, determined to stand for human rights and make a meaningful impact.
Fast forward to 2010, we meet Kayla Carter, an architect grappling with grief while trying to build a new life. For seven years, she and her late husband, Jackson, also an architect, had poured their dreams into designing their perfect home. Jackson’s accidental death during its construction left Kayla hesitant to move in without him, yet her three-year-old daughter, Rainie, and her nearby father provided compelling reasons to move forward. Kayla decides to embrace this new chapter, moving into the contemporary house nestled on four wooded acres, a testament to their shared vision. Her father’s presence offers support, and the expansive home provides Rainie with space to grow and a grandfather in her life.
The house itself is breathtaking – a modern architectural marvel with floor-to-ceiling windows, the largest and most striking in the Shadow Ridge Estates development, enveloped by lush woods. These very woods, once overgrown with Kudzu in 1965, were playgrounds for children who whispered tales of strange noises emanating from the dense vines, fueling local ghost stories. Even in 2010, a lingering sense of the past, a tragic history unknown to Kayla, permeates the area. Memories, it seems, cast long shadows.
These two timelines unfold in parallel, introducing a rich cast of characters. In 1965, we encounter diverse students and families amidst the backdrop of deep-seated prejudice and emotional turmoil. In 2010, Kayla navigates intriguing, sometimes enigmatic neighbors, gradually uncovering a hidden history tied to her new home. Secrets and withheld information are deeply buried, but as they surface, they unleash powerful emotions and revelations.
This novel is truly exceptional. Diane Chamberlain’s storytelling continues to captivate and impress with each book. Her ability to craft compelling narratives and emotionally resonant characters is remarkable. She is a bestselling author of thirty novels, translated into over twenty languages, a testament to her widespread appeal and enduring talent. Diane Chamberlain’s work is a gift to readers, offering captivating stories for years to come. It’s a testament to her skill that even the idea of retiring from reviewing couldn’t keep me away from sharing my thoughts on this wonderful book.
Thank you to Netgalley, St. Martin’s Press for providing the advanced copy and to Diane Chamberlain for another unforgettable reading experience.
