The Last Enchantments

November 25, 2013
Finch has written eight well-received mysteries set in Victorian England (An Old Betrayal), but this contemporary novel is a departure from that established success. In 2005, 25-year-old American Will Baker, formerly a staffer on the failed John Kerry campaign, decides to salve his wounded ego by spending a year studying English literature, specializing in the works of George Orwell, at Fleet College, Oxford. Will, however, really has no idea what he wants to do with his life or why he’s at Oxford, “a miserly and mean-spirited little place.” He and his graduate school pals, men and women alike, do very little studying, dedicating their time instead to casual sex and heavy drinking (Red Bull and vodka are popular). Despite his political savvy, Will proves emotionally immature, falling in and out of love quickly and then stewing in self-pity. His loves—Alison, Jess, and Sophie—come across as charming young women who deserve better. The strength of Finch’s novel is its vivid portrayal of Oxford University in all its history, along with the school’s ancient and quirky traditions, and colorful student body and faculty. Sadly, readers may find this deft scene-setting wasted on a protagonist as vacuous and aimless as Will. Agent: Jennifer Joel and Kari Stuart, ICM

This coming-of-age drama features the gifted narrator Luke Daniels bringing to life Will Baker and a cast of brilliant and strange young people who breathe the rarefied air of Oxford University. Daniels depicts Baker's struggle to find himself with earnestness and creates empathy in the listener for Will's complicated history. Listeners will feel like they know these characters as Daniels guides them through their maturation. Characters like Anil and Tom are portrayed with knowing and clarity, and Daniels adds subtle changes to his delivery as the group becomes closer and shares their personal struggles. Daniels is best as the relationship between Will and Sophie plays out to its emotionally satisfying end. R.O. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award (c) AudioFile 2014, Portland, Maine

April 15, 2014
Finch's stand-alone title concerns an American graduate student's experiences at Oxford. After working to elect John Kerry president, privileged Will Baker, a Yale alum, leaves New York to study English at Oxford. What follows has little to do with academics and much to do with drinking and socializing. Will is entranced by the beautiful Sophie and soon breaks up with his girlfriend back home so that he can pursue her. He also quickly finds an eclectic group of friends. Oxford is vividly described in Finch's realistic portrayal of a year abroad. Luke Daniels effectively captures Will's voice and those of his cohorts. The first-person narrative is a good fit for this audiobook. VERDICT A welcome book for fans of literary fiction and of books written from a male point of view. ["A vividly evocative love letter to his alma mater, Finch's first contemporary novel...often reads less like fiction than as memoir and will be enjoyed by readers of both," read the starred review of the St. Martin's hc, "LJ" 11/15/13.]--Mary Knapp, Madison P.L., WI

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