The Last Chairlift

John Irving’s The Last Chairlift is a sweeping contemporary family novel narrated through the life of Adam Brewster, a writer whose origins are shaped by an unconventional mother, a mysterious father, and the complicated bonds of several generations. The story moves between New England, Colorado, Vermont, and New York, combining family history with questions of identity, sexuality, parenthood, and social change.

Set against the cultural and political transformations of the United States from the mid-twentieth century into the modern era, the novel brings together eccentric relatives, enduring friendships, winter landscapes, and recurring encounters with the supernatural. Irving’s characteristic blend of dark humor, emotional candor, and expansive storytelling makes this a substantial work of literary fiction for adult readers interested in multigenerational narratives and complex family relationships.