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3.86 AVERAGE
3.86 AVERAGE
I love me some privileged family drama.
With the Kate/David/Tiger/“The Big Secret” plot line this book had a chance to be five stars. But I think it suffered from trying to be many things to many people. The Jessie chapters were almost middle grade/YA. The Kirby chapters tried to be rebellious and scandalous but were very “rich girl hangs with people unlike her for the first time and Learns Things.” Blair’s plot drags out at a snails pace in order to get her Event to happen at the same time as That Event. And the book sometimes felt like it was written around one of those “on the day you were born” birthday gifts.
But it was a good, if uneven, escape.
With the Kate/David/Tiger/“The Big Secret” plot line this book had a chance to be five stars. But I think it suffered from trying to be many things to many people. The Jessie chapters were almost middle grade/YA. The Kirby chapters tried to be rebellious and scandalous but were very “rich girl hangs with people unlike her for the first time and Learns Things.” Blair’s plot drags out at a snails pace in order to get her Event to happen at the same time as That Event. And the book sometimes felt like it was written around one of those “on the day you were born” birthday gifts.
But it was a good, if uneven, escape.
With some more serious themes than her usual books, Elin Hilderbrand brings the 60’s to life, with the Moon walk, the social issues surrounding women’s issues, the Vietnam War. As Jessie’s family gets ready to summer in Nantucket, the fact that her brother is serving in Vietnam impacts family dynamics, as well as the predicaments her sisters Blair and Kirby, find themselves battling. Family secrets, new romances, and of course, the summer lifestyle in Nantucket contribute to make this a good summer read.
Hilderbrand truly is the queen of the summer beach read - even with a heavier, historical tone to the plot, Summer of ‘69 was still incredibly easy to digest and fun to read. I felt myself relating to more than one character and even comparing their sibling dynamic to the one between myself and my own siblings - a very traditional older sister, a rebellious and radically progressive middle sister, and a more straight-and-narrow younger brother finding his place in the world. There was comic relief between the tension, lightheartedness between the tumultuous political climate, and it was all still wrapped up in a gorgeous Nantucket summer.
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Always a joy to read Elin Hilderbrand's novels. Summers on Nantucket seem so calm, magical, and enticing. I loved following the Foley and Levin women during their summer of 1969.
A fun, quick beach read with a little bit of history, a bit of family drama and challenges, and a dose of love all wrapped up neatly (maybe a bit too neatly) at the end. As
expected, Hilderbrand weaves the settings of Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket so beautifully into the overall plot, making me feel like I’m vacationing there right now instead of at the Jersey shore.
expected, Hilderbrand weaves the settings of Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket so beautifully into the overall plot, making me feel like I’m vacationing there right now instead of at the Jersey shore.
Nice historical fiction with well developed characters.
fast-paced