The Last Girls

By: Lee Smith

Narrated by: Linda Stephens

This national best seller is a breakthrough book for Lee Smith, an author who fills her marvelous novels with humor, pathos, and powerful wisdom.

The Last Girls are a group of coeds, inspired by Huck Finn, who traveled the Mississippi on a raft in 1965. Now four of them have reunited on a luxurious steamboat to cruise the river again. As they look back over the past 30 years, each one contemplates their shared past in light of their present lives.

©2002 Lee Smith (P)2002 Recorded Books

Not the best presentation

A little disjointed. I liked the idea, and the story line of each character, but the way it was presented was confusing. And the postscript at the end was highly unnecessary. Overall, though, it was a nice story.

Southern Writers!

If you could sum up The Last Girls in three words, what would they be?

Thought-provoking; Real

Who was your favorite character and why?

My favorite character was Baby, because she lived out loud.

What about Linda Stephens’s performance did you like?

I loved the depth of feeling she conveyed, which evoked vivid pictures in my mind of the places described, and also what the characters looked like.

If you could rename The Last Girls, what would you call it?

Remembered Adventures

Any additional comments?

If you like Southern writers, put this book on your list, but only listen to it with Linda Stephens as the performer or you will be disappointed.

Engaging Premise Goes Nowhere

Would you try another book from Lee Smith and/or Linda Stephens?

Not from Lee Smith; the writing was adequate at best. The concept promised more than it delivered.

What do you think your next listen will be?

The End of the Affair

Which scene was your favorite?

The account of Catherine's mother.

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

Not many. The characters were only partially drawn. With the exception of Catherine's overarching regret, I never did get any sense of the characters' motivations.

Not my favorite of her books.

This is not her finest work in my opinion but others my disagree. It was worth finishing and I did enjoy it..... not her best. She is still one of my all time favorite authors.