We've got your back. With the Tough-O-Meter, you'll know whether to bring extra layers or Swiss army knives as you summit the literary mountain. (10 = Toughest)
(4) Base Camp
The First Part Last is fairly short, and the language isn't all that complex. But you know what is complex in the novel? Everything else. There are some pretty heavy moral issues (like how to approach an unexpected pregnancy), and Bobby experiences profound loss when Nia becomes comatose. The right thing to do isn't always clear in this book, and all the shades of grey make for a more nuanced reading experience than we originally think we're in store for. So fill up your water bottles, Shmoopers—the view is totally worth the hike.