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kmootz's review against another edition
2.0
lyrical writing that made for a beautiful and easy read...unfortunately, i felt the characters lacked authenticity.
yooperann's review
5.0
The novel takes place over a few weeks in a seaside Long Island town, but it seems to contain the whole world. There are lots of sad and neglected children, and calm, competent, enchanting Theresa to look after them. There's enough foreshadowing that you know pretty early on everyone is not going to live happily ever after. But the characters, especially Theresa, are drawn so compellingly that you don't want to part with them when the book is over.
This would be a great book club book, perhaps even for a mother and teen daughters group.
This would be a great book club book, perhaps even for a mother and teen daughters group.
psalmcat's review
3.0
Had I been reading this book instead of listening to it, I might not have finished it. But listening to it slowed it down to a proper pace, made it much more consistent with the story.
The story: Set in East Hampton, Long Island in the 50s or 60s, the main character is a 15-year-old girl who is very self-contained and sure of herself. She's in great demand not only for her superb babysitting and petsitting skills, but because she is beautiful. Very aware of that fact, somewhat snobby about those less fortunate in the looks area, but sensible and calm about nearly everything. In fact, she's so calm that it's somewhat surreal at times. Her parents have specific designs in moving from the city to Long Island: they recognize their only daughter's beauty and want to give her the best chance to capitalize on it by 'marrying well' which means making her available to the cream of society in whatever manner that is socially acceptable.
The plot revolves around Theresa's cousin Daisy--"poor Daisy"--one of two girls in large working-class family and her visit to spend her 8th summer on Long Island. She's a sweet, generous, kind-hearted child with a wry wit and a big secret. There is a great deal of foreshadowing and that brings a strong melancholic flavor to the hurly-burly dreaminess of everyday life in a summer resort area.
Lovely book. Lovely mood. A little manipulative, which can get a bit cloying, but the ending is just perfectly written.
The story: Set in East Hampton, Long Island in the 50s or 60s, the main character is a 15-year-old girl who is very self-contained and sure of herself. She's in great demand not only for her superb babysitting and petsitting skills, but because she is beautiful. Very aware of that fact, somewhat snobby about those less fortunate in the looks area, but sensible and calm about nearly everything. In fact, she's so calm that it's somewhat surreal at times. Her parents have specific designs in moving from the city to Long Island: they recognize their only daughter's beauty and want to give her the best chance to capitalize on it by 'marrying well' which means making her available to the cream of society in whatever manner that is socially acceptable.
The plot revolves around Theresa's cousin Daisy--"poor Daisy"--one of two girls in large working-class family and her visit to spend her 8th summer on Long Island. She's a sweet, generous, kind-hearted child with a wry wit and a big secret. There is a great deal of foreshadowing and that brings a strong melancholic flavor to the hurly-burly dreaminess of everyday life in a summer resort area.
Lovely book. Lovely mood. A little manipulative, which can get a bit cloying, but the ending is just perfectly written.
katecthompson's review
3.0
Alice why can't I get through your beautifully written books? I believe this time because it was getting too much into children being neglected. So I will pick this up in a few years when I can handle it.
Both this book and Charming Billy are gorgeously detailed and deeply felt, and quite slow moving.
Both this book and Charming Billy are gorgeously detailed and deeply felt, and quite slow moving.
francescamoroney's review
3.0
Enjoyable and with some beautiful writing, but it's no Charming Billy.
kellyholmes's review
3.0
I devoured this book this weekend. It's very well written and enjoyable, but I was a bit annoyed with the main character. I didn't believe she wouldn't have done the responsible thing right off the bat (you'll see) -- she was so responsible and dependable in every other aspect. But I guess even a responsible 15-year-old is still a 15-year-old.
emscji's review
3.0
6/29/2003: Beautifully written story of a Theresa, a teenaged girl babysitting on Long Island for the summer; she has her little cousin Daisy out from the city, and she takes care of Flora, who is the daughter of a famous old painter. Flora's mother leaves, so Theresa ends up sleeping with the painter.
beckyjenson's review
4.0
Beautiful story. Very touching with sad moments. Most of the time I really could relate to the main character. Mostly I liked that I could "feel" the author's physical descriptions. I really liked that. The details were lovely.
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