'The Last Thing He Told Me' & Laura Dave with guest Joanna Rakoff

Pop Fiction Women

On this episode we are joined by internationally bestselling author and friend of the pod, Joanna Rakoff, to discuss Laura Dave’s instant #1 New York Times bestseller and Reese Book Club Pick, The Last Thing He Told Me...a thriller rooted in hope!

** Complicated Woman. After an introduction to the book and our love of Laura Dave’s backlist, we each share what we found remarkable about Hannah, who we declare a truly subversive female protagonist. (07:42)

** Killer Quotes. This book is filled with “killer quotes” but Carinn & Kate pick their favorites and discuss how they relate to the book’s larger themes and questions. (28:33)

** What’s Your Damage, Heather? This novel explores one of our favorites...mommy issues. Hannah was abandoned by her own mother and we chat about how that kind of trauma can imprint on a person for life. Joanna likens it to a memoir she loves, When She Comes Back, by Ronit Plank. (32:38)

** What She Said. We deep drive into Laura Dave, her ability to pivot, how she keeps getting better, and the decades long journey this book took to publication. (43:18)

** Takeaways. The book leaves us debating whether we could have done what Hannah did? And also wondering whether a woman can be the hero of her own story AND ALSO a true partner in a relationship. (54:30)

** Who Won The Book? For Kate it’s the propulsive pacing and for Carinn it’s Jake, the ex-fiance whose character jumps off the page! (67:25)

** Crystal Ball. Carinn looks into the future book she *wants* to read next, while Kate posits what she thinks Laura Dave may write should she actually pursue a potential sequel. (74:30)

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