MORE REVIEWS

 “The Last Generation” defines emotions in such layered and interconnected ways that putting them into words feels difficult, but I have tried my best. The stories are multigenerational, layered upon layer, each thread carefully woven into another, and it almost feels like witnessing the lives of the characters firsthand. The writing style—the language, the repetition, the inclusion of poetry—completely fascinated me. It is such a deliberately structured and intricately composed book. It did take longer than usual to finish this novel. If I have read something similar before, I certainly was not aware of it in the same way.

Each character’s story is detailed. Each carries meaning. Every life connects to another—through pain, trauma, struggle, and even the smallest emotional exchanges. I especially appreciated how the characters questioned one another and discovered answers through simple conversations: revealing the vulnerability of the human heart, how it longs for connection, for meaning, to feel worthy and seen. Even with age, that longing does not fade. There remains a desire to reclaim the heights once reached in youth. And with that desire comes pressure—the weight of expectations and responsibilities passed down through generations, the duty to preserve everything ancestors built.

Seth, Jo-Jo, and Rose are beautifully written. Invisible pain, I believe, is the most dangerous kind. When suffering cannot be seen, it is often misunderstood. Even when explained, others cannot fully grasp its depth. Watching these characters grow from the beginning of the story to the end was powerful. Their strength carried them forward, even when they themselves were unaware of it at first. The unexpected family they formed—the chosen family—became their way out of Epidaurus and the trauma attached to it. That transformation was portrayed with great care and beauty. It felt comforting to read how each character realized their life was better because they had been there for one another: never giving up, never judging, standing together through every step, every pain, and every loss, even when it would have been easier to walk away.

The novel covers an immense range of themes: generational trauma, social issues, mental health, gender identity, migration stigma, and survival in its most raw and uncomfortable forms. The author deserves applause for weaving these difficult narratives together in such a cohesive and thoughtful way. To summarize, I think this novel is about acceptance—of identity, inherited pain, and the complex realities that shape us. Perhaps this is what the summation of modern human stories (and maybe even primitive ones) looks like: complicated, layered, and deeply interconnected. The language and style may feel challenging for some readers, but I truly hope this book finds the readers it is meant for.
“There is no ‘wei.’ The ‘i’ infused into the ‘we’, is the WAY.”

 "I am giving this book 5 stars because the story itself is one of the most profound and original things I have read. However, I want to be very clear: This is an extremely difficult book to follow.

If you are looking for a fast-paced plot or simple characters, this is not for you. The author, Michael Thomas, uses an 'experimental' style that avoids using names and relies heavily on metaphors (like referring to people by their clothing). It feels like reading a dream or a puzzle.

Why it deserves 5 stars: Inside the 'thick glass' of this difficult prose is a stunning story about how family trauma—the 'bullet'—travels through generations. The historical sections in 1920s LA are visceral and tragic, and the way they connect to the modern-day characters is brilliant. It is a haunting study of lineage and the human soul.
The Caveat: You have to read this book slowly. You have to 'deposit' details into your memory and wait for them to pay off. It is 'verbose' and at times exhausting. But if you are a fan of James Joyce, an author who breaks the rules to show you something deeper, this is a 5-star achievement. It’s not a book you read; it’s a book you experience."