Die Letzten werden die Ersten sein

Shriver always seems to be a few steps ahead of us. She is the Cassandra of American literature. "I've decided to run a marathon," announces Remington Alabaster, even before he has jogged once. His wife, Serenata, on the other hand, has tried nearly every sport in the world until arthritis in her knees condemned her to inactivity. Is it only because he has saved up so much strength and energy for 64 years that her husband can still manage? Serenata's amusement soon gives way to sheer horror. With sharp wit and a lively tone, Lionel Shriver depicts the decline of our bodies and creates a wonderfully headstrong couple whose marriage is shaken by a ridiculous decision. "Old against young, ugly against beautiful, healthy against sick: Shriver pits them all against each other, entertainingly and incisively.".