A review by aliciac66
A Hundred Summers by Beatriz Williams

3.0

This was set between WWI and WWII and was a perspective on how the more affluent spent their summers. I found it interesting to read for a vacation book but not something I would have typically picked up - it was a gift. The author didn't give much historical data of the time but made references in order to keep the reader on track. I found the setting going forward and backward by chapter kept the book interesting. The characters were not too likable and the main character Lily had potential but she was a little bit of a milk toast. The character Budgie was horrific and not someone Lily should have ever entertained as a "friend" - the author was not consistent here. If Lily's family were as high up and as controlling in society as they are portrayed they would have discouraged her friendship with Budgie - instead they seemed to encourage her participation in Budgie's self destructive behavior. The only likable characters in this book was Lily's little sister Kiki, she seemed the most genuinely portrayed and the 2 male characters, Nick and Graham.

I liked the Epilogue - telling us what eventually happens to Nick and Lily and I liked that the author included book group questions. I suppose if this had been a book club book someone else would have seen a better view of the book - happens a lot in our group which is what makes it a good group of women.