Last Third: A Novel

by Jonathan Mach

One third of kids will go on to the best schools, get the best jobs; essentially, become the pillars of society. The second third will become government employees, teachers, nurses, construction workers, businessmen or -women and live a comfortable and prosperous life.

Trouble will be the only accomplishment of the last third, and they will be subject to the rules of the first two thirds.

Jeremy, a biracial bastard child of a single teenage mother, was quickly labeled as being among the last third in his adolescence. With no friends, no money, and a rapidly disintegrating relationship with his mother, Jeremy had few prospects to find a way out of his misery. As his anger climaxes—to the shock of the notorious and terrifying school bully—Jeremy seemingly seals his fate as a member of the last third.

Enter Roy, an eccentric old curmudgeon, who has a fateful encounter with Jeremy. As Roy introduces Jeremy to the fantastical world of aviation, an unexpected friendship grows. Can these two misfits find some beacon of hope in each other?

In his story of adversity, growing up, and friendship, author Jonathan Mach presents a tale of life in the face of formidable obstacles—and the meaningful relationships that blossom as a result.

238 pages, Paperback

Published May 17, 2016

About the author

Jonathan Mach is a former United States Naval Aviator and currently flies for a Fortune 500 company.

He attended the UCLA Extension Writers' Program and completed the Master Sequence in Screenwriting.

Last Third is his first novel.

Reviews

[William Bitner Jr. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just finished reading “Last Third: A Novel” by Jonathan Mach. I won a signed copy of this book on Goodreads.com and want to thank Jonathan for the chance to read this book. A coming of age type read about the unlikely friendship between a 14 year old troubled mulatto with a welfare mother and no father, and an elderly war veteran with a Alzheimer stricken wife, a farm, a tractor and a plane. I loved this story and all the characters, young and old. Many lessons are learned along the way by both Jeremy and Roy as they share much more than they expected from their first encounter. Jeremey goes from a troubled young boy to a responsible young man in a matter of a few short months and curmudgeonly old Roy becomes a more patient and caring adult. I hope there will be more in store from Jonathan in the future as this was quite an enjoyable read.

Synopsis (from back cover): One third of kids will go on to become the pillars of society. The second third will live comfortable lives. Trouble will be the only accomplishment of the last third.
Jeremy, the biracial bastard child of a single teenage mother, was quickly labeled as being among the last third in his adolescence. With no friends, no money, and a disintegrating relationship with his mother, Jeremy had few prospects to find a way out. As his anger climaxes--to the shock of a notorious and terrifying school bully--Jeremy seemingly seals his fate as a member of the last third.
Enter Roy, an eccentric old curmudgeon, who has a fateful encounter with Jeremy. As Roy introduces Jeremy to the fantastical world of aviation, an unexpected friendship grows. Can these two misfits find some beacon of hope in each other?
In his story of adversity, growing up, and friendship, author Jonathan Mach presents a tale of life in the face of formidable obstacles--and the meaningful relationships that blossom as a result.

[Kris · Rating 3 out of 5]

'The Last Third' is Jonathan Mach's first novel and I won my copy through a Goodreads contest. The novel is about a young biracial boy, Jeremy who has been 'ear-marked' by the system as an under-achiever and no-good. Jeremy runs into Roy, an cantankerous senior whose wife is dying with Alzheimers. Beyond all explanation the two hit it off and Roy introduces Jeremy into the world of flying.
The premise of the novel was great and at times the reader truly connected with both Jeremy and Roy. The beginning was a bit disjointed while the reader was being introduced to the two main characters, but then evened out. I found myself intrigued with Jeremy's character growth and Roy's ability to find friendship with someone younger. My main disappointment with the book was the conclusion; it felt rushed. Suddenly, Roy who preached resilience, the benefits of fighting for yourself decides to give up. We the reader are supposed to think this is a good thing. Similarly, Jeremy who was starting to learn and put himself forward, decides to throw it all away and literally flies into the sunset leaving his mother and girlfriend behind. The ending didn't make a lot of sense and ruined the story for me.

[Shelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a terrific read. I thoroughly enjoyed this story. The relationship that builds between the Jeremy, who doesn't have any friends, and Roy the older pilot is priceless. Jeremy gets in trouble and ends up at a 'special' school for violent offenders. He meets Kelli who has her own issues to deal with. They all end up helping each other in their own ways. Roy teaches Jeremy to drive the tractor then to fly and in the course of all this Jeremy realizes how important math is thus school is. More importantly this is the story of a boy and an old man with a relationship unlike any other.

[Gabriel Dedeic · Rating 5 out of 5]

Growing up is hard to do and the system in place does not make it any easier for the kids who start at the bottom of life.

Can a friendship by Roy change the path that Jeremy will follow? Just because it is so does not mean it will be.

I recommend this book.

I received this novel as a free giveaway from Goodreads.

[Stacy]

I received a signed copy of this book in a Goodreads Giveaway.

I'm still processing my thoughts on this book. Overall, I really liked it. There were some proofreading errors and a few continuity issues (name of the public school and the characterization of a couple of the members of a club within the book), but they do not detract from the story.

I was surprised by the ending. The tone of the book prepared me from the very beginning for it not to end in some unrealistic, fairy-tale perfection, but the way in which it turned was a surprise. I liked the theme of the book with the main characters finding their way in this world together and realizing how life can surprise you, even in a long life nearing its end. There was hope as well as realism in the way the teenage characters were portrayed. I will attempt to gather my thoughts and make this review make more sense!

[Beth Yeary]

I found this novel rather depressing. But thank you, Goodreads for having it as a giveaway. I am planning on re reading this novel later on. Maybe reading it in the middle of winter was wrong. Sure, Jeremy has managed to turn his life around, and make at least two friends. His mother finally broke through her problems at stood up for him at least once. I'm not going to say what else happened, because that would be giving away the ending.

[Chris Devine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book, I don't know why, it kind of sounded like it was written as an after school special when I read the description, but the author is a really good storyteller, he really made me care for the characters. The end kind of just trailed off with no closure, but I'm going to overlook that one flaw because the rest of the book was really absorbing.

I won this from a goodreads giveaway

[Julianna]

I received this through a Goodreads giveaway. I selected it because it was listed as a YA novel, and I'm always on the lookout for good books for my classroom library. I made it about 1/3 of the way in before I stopped reading. I just couldn't get into this book. Perhaps it's the alternating perspectives with extensive exposition. Perhaps it's the exaggerated stereotypes. This novel just didn't sit well with me. :(

[Brenda Schneider · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good story. I won this book through goodreads.

[Nicholas · Rating 3 out of 5]

Goodreads win.

Overall this was a decent read. A book that yook some time to get through. I just felt something qas missing. Not sure if I would evver reread this book.

[Christina]

I really enjoyed the book. The characters were thoughtful and real. It was easy to make emotional connections with all the main characters as the book progressed. A great read!

[Jonathan Mach]

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