Synopses & Reviews
Later, after the war began, the summer of '41 would be remembered in Newport, Rhode Island as The Last Season, the last magical summer social season before Pearl Harbor, the end of an era of social glitter and privilege. It was a halcyon time, when the beautiful daughter of a Portuguese fisherman could be swept off her feet by a handsome and wealthy young lieutenant from the Naval War College. Sera and Russell are caught up in a fairy-tale dream of romance and privilege, and Jake, Sera's childhood sweetheart, can only stand by and watch hopelessly.
But in the real world of 1941, fairy tales may not end happily ever after. The differences in Sera and Russell's background and class are as inescapable as the political and military situation that will plunge America into the war. And Russell, cultivated by a mysterious outsider who is generous with cash and the loan of a fancy car, thinks nothing of talking about secret naval war games. After all, they're only games . . . .
Review
"In the tradition of
From Here to Eternity, Ronald Florence has constructed his story as carefully and lovingly and knowledgeably as the boats that Jake builds in the novel. Rich in the period and society detail of Newport, Rhode Island, the summer of 1941, it's all here: terrific romance and intriguing espionage, all against the thunderheads of the historical attack on Pearl Harbor."--Terence M. Green
"The Last Season is a well-seasoned visit to a crucial era, crowned by an engrossing story. I recommend it highly for real reading pleasure."--Gregory Benford
Synopsis
The last season in Newport, Rhode Island is the summer of 1941, just before Pearl Harbor. It is the end of an era of social glitter and privilege. Sera, a young Portugese beauty from nearby Stonington, Connecticut, falls in love with Russell, a young Naval Lieutenant from a socially prominent Newport family, who is stationed at the War College--the naval base near Newport where secret military scenarios are played out by future commanders. She is swept off her feet by the charming Russell who thinks nothing of borrowing secret documents to raise the money his family won't give him to date Sera. But Sera will not stand for that. Sophistocated thrills and romance energize The Last Season, from the author of The Gypsy Man and The Perfect Machine.
About the Author
Ronald Florence is the author of a number of works of fiction and non-fiction. His last book, The Perfect Machine, was on the Mount Palomar telescope in California. He lives and writes in Providence, Rhode Island. His last two novels are Zeppelin (Arbor House, 1982) and The Gypsy Man (Villard, 1985).