By Amazon Customer on March 29, 2016
Format: Hardcover
Summerlost by Ally Condie is a beautiful, rare and rich novel. I've always wanted to start a Mother Daughter Book Group or a Book Group for Boys. This would be a top pick on my list.
I would count down the days to discuss this with the group. I'd spend a lot of time in the candy aisle picking up Cedar's favorite candies to serve, or trying my hand at making lemon and raspberry tarts she eats at the Festival. I'd hang twinkly lights in the trees, spread blankets on the grass and stack thick copies of Shakespeare's plays (hoping to entice younger readers to become familiar with one of my favorite authors). I'd hand out Mason jars before we met and ask each person to fill it up with things that remind them of someone they have love. I might even try to make a few Lisette Chamberlain Tour t-shirts and "Times of Our Seasons" Soap Opera Posters.
I'd choose Summerlost as our pick, not only because is it an engaging story of a summer spent exploring a new town and working at a Shakespeare Festival, but it is novel that explores the emotions that accompany grief and fear, and also friendship and family love. What a gift for middle age readers to have a companion if they themselves are experiencing those emotions, or a story to introduce readers to those themes if they have not experienced them yet themselves. Condie's poetic writing is moving, but also filled with humor and heartbreak in just the right doses. I have yet to read a book by Condie that hasn't grown in significance to me long after I close the cover. I finished this weeks ago and yet in quiet moments I'll come back in my mind to favorite parts or themes that build and connect for me. Brilliant.
Cedar and Leo and their stories (and friends and families) will live much longer than just the space of one summer. I would highly recommend this as a TOP 2016 PICK.
No comments:
Post a Comment