Description

Book Synopsis

Jenny has devoted her life to her husband, the famous naturalist Wilkie Walker. But this year, as winter comes on, Wilkie seems distant and depressed. In desperation Jenny persuades him to visit Key West, but the sun and tropical scenery do nothing to cheer him up. As he grows even stranger, Jenny becomes involved with some intriguing local characters including Gerry, an ex-beatnik poet, and Lee, the dramatically attractive manager of a women-only guest house.

Wife, secretary, confidante, housekeeper - might Jenny at last break free from her role as Wilkie's support act?

WITH A NEW PREFACE FROM ALISON LURIE

'Full of sparkish - indeed Muriel Sparkish - observations and gently subversive wit... Lurie beautifully handles the ecstatic liberation of lesbian love' Independent



Trade Review
The Last Resort, like all of Lurie's novels, concerns men and women looking for the perfect partner... If there's one thing Lurie does brilliantly, it is to describe the swift shifts that occur in emotional temperature whenever passion's involved....as funny, wicked and smart as anything she has ever written * Mail on Sunday *
The Last Resort retains all [Lurie's] compulsive readability. Its prose is crisp with astringent acumen and witty alertness * Sunday Times *
This is a charming, sunny book that seems infused with all the warmth of its setting… It is full of sparkish – indeed Muriel Sparkish – observations and gently subversive wit... Lurie beautifully handles…the ecstatic liberation of lesbian love * Independent *

Lurie has written The Last Resort with all the style and penetrating wit that we have come to expect from this Pulitzer prize-winning author who often draws comparison with Jane Austen. The novel is a subtle comedy of manners which explores the gap between the things that people say in their social relationships, and what they really mean... Any reader looking for a message in this congenial, intelligent novel, can conclude that while age may not bring wisdom, it should restore the precious habit, lost in childhood, of living in and for the "bright, full present"

* Observer *
Sparely, exquisitely written...touching, funny, and exuberant * Harpers & Queen *

The Last Resort

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    Order before 4pm tomorrow for delivery by Mon 27 Jul 2026.

    A Paperback / softback by Alison Lurie

    1 in stock

      Trusted by thousands of customers. See 2,385+ Customer Reviews

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      Publisher: Vintage Publishing
      Publication Date: Publication Date: 03/09/2020
      ISBN13: 9781784876272, 978-1784876272
      ISBN10: 1784876275

      Description

      Book Synopsis

      Jenny has devoted her life to her husband, the famous naturalist Wilkie Walker. But this year, as winter comes on, Wilkie seems distant and depressed. In desperation Jenny persuades him to visit Key West, but the sun and tropical scenery do nothing to cheer him up. As he grows even stranger, Jenny becomes involved with some intriguing local characters including Gerry, an ex-beatnik poet, and Lee, the dramatically attractive manager of a women-only guest house.

      Wife, secretary, confidante, housekeeper - might Jenny at last break free from her role as Wilkie's support act?

      WITH A NEW PREFACE FROM ALISON LURIE

      'Full of sparkish - indeed Muriel Sparkish - observations and gently subversive wit... Lurie beautifully handles the ecstatic liberation of lesbian love' Independent



      Trade Review
      The Last Resort, like all of Lurie's novels, concerns men and women looking for the perfect partner... If there's one thing Lurie does brilliantly, it is to describe the swift shifts that occur in emotional temperature whenever passion's involved....as funny, wicked and smart as anything she has ever written * Mail on Sunday *
      The Last Resort retains all [Lurie's] compulsive readability. Its prose is crisp with astringent acumen and witty alertness * Sunday Times *
      This is a charming, sunny book that seems infused with all the warmth of its setting… It is full of sparkish – indeed Muriel Sparkish – observations and gently subversive wit... Lurie beautifully handles…the ecstatic liberation of lesbian love * Independent *

      Lurie has written The Last Resort with all the style and penetrating wit that we have come to expect from this Pulitzer prize-winning author who often draws comparison with Jane Austen. The novel is a subtle comedy of manners which explores the gap between the things that people say in their social relationships, and what they really mean... Any reader looking for a message in this congenial, intelligent novel, can conclude that while age may not bring wisdom, it should restore the precious habit, lost in childhood, of living in and for the "bright, full present"

      * Observer *
      Sparely, exquisitely written...touching, funny, and exuberant * Harpers & Queen *

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