The Latecomer

The Latecomer, a multi-layered and absorbing literary book by Jean Hanff Korelitz, the New York Times bestselling author of The Plot, tells the story of three siblings who are anxious to avoid each other and how the late arrival of a fourth upends their family.

The Latecomer tells the tale of the affluent Oppenheimer family, who live in New York City, from the tragically early meeting of parents Salo and Johanna to the birth of their triplets in the early stages of in vitro fertilization. The three siblings, Harrison, Lewyn, and Sally, have no strong family ties as kids and are eager to go their own ways, despite their mother's desperation and their father's growing isolation. Johanna decides to have a fourth child when the triplets go for college and she is left all by herself. What part does the "latecomer" have in this dysfunctional family?

The Latecomer is a sophisticated book on privilege and racism, sorrow and guilt, generational trauma, traditions and religion, and family dynamics. It develops gradually and thoughtfully. It's a clever and thought-provoking family tale written by a seasoned writer renowned for the breadth of her character research, deft narrative weaving, and surprising plot turns.