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3.86 AVERAGE
3.86 AVERAGE
This was an okay book about a family of women, mostly rich spoiled women, who go through periods of growth during the summer of ‘69. I’m searching for something else interesting to say but I feel that’s about it. No part of the book strikes me as particularly deep, and in fact, is primarily concerned with remaining in superficial social graces. The character I liked was Kirby who was the most down to earth of the bunch. I find it somewhat interesting that we hear from all of the main women except for Exalta. There’s a little bit of everything in here...racism, sexism, ageism, sexual assault and consent, war, mental health, puberty, infidelity, politics, scientific advancement, etc...but because there are so many things touched upon it doesn’t feel like anything goes deep enough.
February’s staff book club pick. Would have DNFed but I’m stubborn. This book is roughly as subtle as a box of hammers.
Oh, Hilderbrand lovers, this is a great one!!! For sure one of my favorites (if that is possible with this author because I seem to love them all)! Once again, I now want to go to Nantucket - throw on some Lilly Pulitzer and Pappagolos!!!!
Great listen on Audible. I would have liked to know more about Tiger.
I love all of Elin's books! This book was great because it went back in time to the 60's when life was very different than it is now. It even contained a bit of history with the story of Chappaquiddick included. It is an easy read and a great book.
This was the first book I read by this author and I just didn’t care for it. I liked the characters but it felt too predictable.
Despite including some heavier topics (abuse, war, etc…), as expected this was another easy read from Hilderbrand. While it once again takes place during the summer on Nantucket (and a bit on Martha’s Vineyard) I was surprised by how “un-beachy” most of it felt, but perhaps that was impacted by the fact that I read this while very far away from the beach. While I enjoyed getting to see the different experiences and storylines from the various members of the Levin-Foley family, the more coming-of-age focused sections from Jessie’s perspective were by far the strongest and most engaging parts, so I was disappointed in their lack of frequency as the novel progressed. Additionally, while the entire premise is that it is centered around a single family’s experience during the historic summer of 1969, I often kept forgetting the historical setting; the majority of the events, conflicts, and character experiences really could have happened at any time, and if specific historic events (such as the Moon Landing) weren’t included, I frankly would have gotten the same experience from a novel set in the 2000s. Maybe that was the point? The universality of these experiences? Or maybe I’m reading too much into a light book. Either way, this was another enjoyable escapist novel that offers the comforting familiarity of Hilderbrand’s easy style of writing and engaging character-driven stories.
I’ve always loved Elin Hilderbrand, so much so that my daughter and I visited Nantucket one summer so we could see and experience the town, the beach, restaurants, etc. As a teacher, I always looked forward to Elin’s annual book being in stores. Her books provided a much needed summertime escape from the classroom!
Elin’s first historical novel is a success. We still have Nantucket and all that goes with it, but so much more. We’re treated to astronauts and the Apollo 11 moon landing, Woodstock, Senator Ted Kennedy driving off the dike bridge at Chappaquiddick which led to Mary Jo Kopechne’s death, the Vietnam War, bell bottoms, hippies, peace signs, civil protests, big box televisions, no cell phones… the list goes on! As a 50 something woman, I felt as though I was transported back to my childhood.
In Summer of 69, we meet the dysfunctional Levin family, mother Kate, and her 3 daughters, Blaire, Kirby, and Jesse, and her favorite, a son, nicknamed Tiger. These characters are fleshed out so skillfully that I felt as thought I knew them. Tiger’s draft number is drawn, he goes to war, and the rest of the book we’re anxiously wondering if he will return alive.
I loved learning in the afterword that Elin has a twin brother, and they were born in 1969. This added to the delight of the story, since the character Blair had twins in 1969, a boy and a girl. Hands down, this is a 5 star read!
Elin’s first historical novel is a success. We still have Nantucket and all that goes with it, but so much more. We’re treated to astronauts and the Apollo 11 moon landing, Woodstock, Senator Ted Kennedy driving off the dike bridge at Chappaquiddick which led to Mary Jo Kopechne’s death, the Vietnam War, bell bottoms, hippies, peace signs, civil protests, big box televisions, no cell phones… the list goes on! As a 50 something woman, I felt as though I was transported back to my childhood.
In Summer of 69, we meet the dysfunctional Levin family, mother Kate, and her 3 daughters, Blaire, Kirby, and Jesse, and her favorite, a son, nicknamed Tiger. These characters are fleshed out so skillfully that I felt as thought I knew them. Tiger’s draft number is drawn, he goes to war, and the rest of the book we’re anxiously wondering if he will return alive.
I loved learning in the afterword that Elin has a twin brother, and they were born in 1969. This added to the delight of the story, since the character Blair had twins in 1969, a boy and a girl. Hands down, this is a 5 star read!
3.5 stars
Nantucket & Martha's Vineyard
Rotates perspective between the 4 main women: Kate, Blair, Jessie & Kirby and their different situations and experiences in the summer of 1969.
Nantucket & Martha's Vineyard
Rotates perspective between the 4 main women: Kate, Blair, Jessie & Kirby and their different situations and experiences in the summer of 1969.