The Last Time I Saw You

Title: The Last Time I Saw You
Author: Elizabeth Berg
Pages: 288

Our book club discussion:
Me:
So what did you think of "The Last Time I saw You"? Favorite Characters? And/or moments?

Bookworm:
Overall, I thought the book was okay. In the beginning I couldn't stand her writing style- it seemed choppy. The only characters I liked were Mary Alice, Lester and Candy. I couldn't stand Dorothy and her friends, and I couldn't sympathize with Pete at all. He never seemed truely sorry. I think the last chapter would have to be the best part of the book for me. I liked seeing how it all ended up. Other than that, my feeling toward the book is pretty mediocre. What did you think? What were your favorite parts/characters?

Me:
Haha...it's scary how much we think alike. I thought this book was just "ok"; not great and not horrible. My favorites were definitely Mary Alice and Lester. My most favorite part of the whole book was the table o' truth. Although I doubt anything like that could happen in real life, I thought it was a great idea and I know I wanted to sit there and listen in. It did make me reflect back on my own high school days. In the story, Dorothy had a high school crush on Pete Decker, who was your Pete Decker?

Bookworm:
I liked the idea of the table of truth but found it hard to relate to on some subjects because of the age difference. Overall, her story rang true to me- I'm guessing a reunion would be one huge mean-spirited gossip-fest. As for my Pete Decker, it would have had to have been John Doe!!!! He looked like Keanu Reeves and was just a pleasure to look at. Then I finally talked to him and it shattered the fantasy. Every other word was f#%* and someone told me he was a drug dealer. Did you have a Pete Decker before Mr X? Would you ever read any of her books again?

Me:
Would you ever go to one of our high school reunions? Hmmm....was there life before Mr. X? Hahaha. I had a couple of crushes. Let me go home and consult my year book. The big one I remember is that I liked a boy in middle school (who then ended up at high school) and he was blonde and popular and out of my league. He wasn't very nice to me. But now, I don't even really remember his name. Andy maybe? LoL.

Bookworm:
I might someday. Would you?

Me:
At this moment, probably not. But you know what they say, "Never Say Never". In the book, there is a lot of discussion about change. How have you changed since high school? Do you think people basically remain the same? If people change, do we accept the change or see them as they were? And did your life turn out how you thought?

Bookworm:
Dang, you ask great questions! I have changed alot since high school, I think. I'm less self-centered. In high school I had such a hard time at home that my emotions were all I ever thought of. Now, I think I'm a better person. I think people do basically stay the same unless one seeks counseling. I found that I changed drastically after that!! Seeing change in others can be hard, because of initial impressions. And finally, no, my life has not turned out the way that I thought. I always believed I would have at least 3 kids by the time I was 30. Considering I 'm 29 for only 24 more days, I don't see that happening. Your turn to answer all your fabulous questions!

Me:
Did my life turn out how I thought? Yes and No. I accomplished some things that I wanted to by now, like the dream of owning my own home, and becoming Mrs. X by marrying the love of my life. BUT I was also supposed to be a high school English teacher who also happened to be a best selling novelist. No way did I think that I would be a 30 year old receptionist. Do people change? They can! But it takes a lot of hard work. If people change, do we accept the change? Not right away. I think we are always waiting for the other shoe to drop. Maybe if you spend some time with that person and witness the change, then you come to see it and accept it. Have I changed? I don't know have I? In a lot of ways I feel exactly the same. I think the biggest change is that now I'm not afraid to be different or nerdy or even disagree with a friend. Like in high school I would NEVER have admitted to reading and loving the Harry Potter series because I would have been afraid of what others thought of me. Now, I could care less. I like it and it makes me happy. I'm becoming more me. I'm letting out the stuff I used to hide. I'm still working on it but it's better than it was in high school.

Bookworm:
I think we've all changed (for the better I hope) since breaking free from the confines of high school. Maybe change isn't the best word for it. I like the way you stated it- I'm becoming more me. Brilliant! And by the way, it's not too late to write your novel :)

Final thoughts:
Pretty Medicore! 2 out of 5 stars.