The Last Days of California
The Last Days of California
Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 2014
Book Brief
256
Novel • Fiction
United States • Contemporary
2014
YA
18+ years
Super Short Summary
The Last Days of California by Mary Miller follows 15-year-old Jess Metcalf and her older sister Elise as their fundamentalist Christian family embarks on a road trip to witness the Rapture in California, led by their evangelical father. Jess wrestles with her belief in the Rapture and faces personal fears for Elise, who is secretly pregnant. As they journey, family tensions surface, culminating in a critical moment of self-discovery and familial reconciliation. Topics covered include teenage pregnancy and fundamentalist beliefs.
Melancholic
Contemplative
Nostalgic
Challenging
Emotional
Reviews & Readership
3,637 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Mary Miller's The Last Days of California captures a nuanced portrait of a teenage girl's road trip amidst family dysfunction. Critics appreciate its authentic voice and compelling protagonist, though some note a lack of plot depth. The novel's contemplative exploration of faith and adolescence resonates strongly, despite occasional pacing issues.
Who Should Read The Last Days of California?
A reader who would enjoy The Last Days of California by Mary Miller is likely drawn to literary fiction that blends coming-of-age themes with exploration of family dynamics. Comparable in tone and narrative style to works like The Virgin Suicides by Jeffrey Eugenides and The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold, this novel will resonate with fans of introspective, character-driven stories.
3,637 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
256
Novel • Fiction
United States • Contemporary
2014
YA
18+ years
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