45 pages • 1 hour read
Elizabeth BowenThe Last September
Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 1929A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
The Last September by Elizabeth Bowen follows young Lois Farquar, who lives in a country house in Ireland during the War of Independence. Through Lois's experiences, the novel explores themes of identity, social change, and the decline of the Anglo-Irish gentry amidst political unrest and personal dilemmas.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
The Last September by Elizabeth Bowen is praised for its evocative prose and vivid depiction of Anglo-Irish tensions during the Irish War of Independence. The novel's atmospheric setting and complex characters draw readers in, though some find its pacing uneven. Bowen's intricate exploration of societal decay and personal disillusionment resonates profoundly.
Who Should Read The Last September?
Readers who enjoy The Last September by Elizabeth Bowen are likely fans of historical fiction and character-driven narratives, akin to those found in E.M. Forster’s A Passage to India and Virginia Woolf’s To the Lighthouse. They appreciate exploring themes of social change and personal identity against a backdrop of cultural upheaval.