Reviews for Summer

The average rating for Summer based on 2 reviews is 4 stars.

Review # 1 was written on 2018-10-19 00:00:00 Michael Bloch This novel was first published in 1917 and I can't help but be amazed by that. The themes in this novel are current, and as real today as they were a hundred years ago. Charity Royall was born to a rough life on The Mountain and was rescued at the age of five by a lawyer in the village and his wife. After the death of his wife, Mr. Royall did the best he knew how to raise the girl, and although she knew their family was better off than the rest of the village, Charity was filled with conflict and discontent. From my perspective, the conflicts and contrasts in this novel were the main themes: age versus youth, village life versus city life, mountain life versus village life, leaving versus staying, alone versus loneliness, independence versus dependence. All of the characters in this novel experienced opposing duties - they were pulled in different directions whereby sometimes the heart ruled and sometimes the head - both of which were also in conflict. How the characters navigate their internal and external struggles steers the plot and characters of this novel throughout. It is also part of what makes this a read as contemporary as our own time. Edith Wharton's writing is amazing. Her descriptions are so vivid that I found myself easily visualizing the surrounding scenes and places, yet she doesn't burden the reader with details that don't matter. I found that every description had significance emotionally and/or physically to the characters and/or the plot. Although I hadn't read any of Edith Wharton's works before, I feel lucky that I somehow stumbled into this one as my first read. I am definitely looking forward to reading more of her work. For any person of the times she lived in, her writing stands out. I am even more impressed that somehow she broke through many different biases and prejudices of the time and still stands today as an exceptional woman writer - and an extraordinary writer among her contemporaries, male or female.

Review # 2 was written on 2009-06-29 00:00:00 Aaron Foster this book is touted as "edith wharton's most erotic book". the introduction blabs on and on about its eroticism, and how scandalous it is. so i have devised a little drinking game. i invite you - i entreat you - to prepare a shot glass with your favorite scotch or whiskey, and do a shot every time you start feeling a little hot from all the sexy good times. i pretty much guarantee that shot glass will be untouched by the end of your readings. this book is not erotic, even in the broadest, most mormonic sense. i think there is a kiss or two, which for wharton is hot, but it's a stretch to call it "erotic". this is a book where people get preggers by proximity: two people of opposite genders are seated beside each other, and suddenly - the lady is up the pole. this might be the first appearance of the "sexy librarian" stereotype, but erotic?? far from it, ms. white gloves... come to my blog!