A review by janp
The Summer Guest by Alison Anderson

2.0

Overall, a disappointment. This is a novel based on visits Anton Chekov and relatives began to make in 1888 during summertime to a guest house belonging to a family, one of whom is a young female doctor (Zinaida Lintvaryova) blinded by a brain tumor. Her diary of that time period and her relationship with Chekov, is the focus of the book. And it is lovely to read and easy to identify with Chekhov and Zinaida and appreciate their individual struggles. The novel involves two modern day women as well. Katya Kendall who wants to publish this allegedly newly found diary; and, Ana Harding who is hired to translate it. All three of the women are mired in major life events that are brought out in the book. One can see the kinship Katya and Ana have found in Zinaida. The ending held a few surprises but overall I found it ended with a whimper. I admire the author's descriptive text but feel that the book should have been condensed.