The Last Real People

by Joseph Lapointe, Alvin Reiner

Release Date: 15 April, 2000

Edition: Paperback

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More autobiographical than story-

I like reading anything about the Adirondack region and even went to Newcomb this week to take a look at the place the author speaks of. However, the book seems to be more of the author's autobiography than stories about "the last real people." This is fine, but the title is misleading. While there are characters the author speaks about, they are more likened to "accounts" of these people rather than a more in-depth vision of who these people are. I would tend to say this is more of a kind of journal of the author's experiences in Newcomb than about the Last Real People of the Adirondacks. A book more suited for such a title might be the books by Helen Escha Tyler or a book called Growing Up Strong or My Grandpa's Woods. We get to meet some last of the real Adirondackers in those tales and stories. Still and all, this book is a good and pleasant read for any Adirondack lover.

Potential unrealized

As a native of the Adirondacks who spends his summer fun time in the Long Lake area which is the setting of the book, I looked forward to reading Lapointe's effort. However, I find that his effort was lacking. What we have here are 44 short vingnettes about what could be very interesting characters. And there lies the problem: Short. We only get bits and pieces on each subject, not enough to make us really care to any great extent. I do believe the subject matter is here for a truly great novel of Americana which would tie all these Adirondackers together through their love of survivinging in this harsh land. Instead, what we have are stories you might hear in any bar, donut shop, or back stoop. Interesting, maybe, but just the tip of the mountain.