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Book Review: Summer House by Nancy Thayer
July 27th, 2009
Summer House by Nancy Thayer is a novel brimming with family drama. About a month ago I had featured this novel for my cover attraction and it had sounded like something that I would like to read so when I had a chance to participate in the Pump Up Your Book Promotions Tour, I jumped on it and I’m certainly not sorry I did. I quite enjoyed the book. It started out slowly for me but all of a sudden I found I had been dragged into this family and was hurriedly turning the pages to see what would happen next.
I found this book full of interesting characters and plenty of secrets. It takes place in Nantucket and I’m really beginning to enjoy books that take place there. It sounds like the most beautiful, serene place to be what with the beaches and easy living. The book is told to us by Nona who is the matriarch of the family at ninety years old, Helen; her daughter-in-law and Charlotte; Helen’s daughter and Nona’s granddaughter. Charlotte, after struggling to be what her father wants by working in the bank comes back to Nantucket and opens a garden stand on Nona’s land. Everybody in the family was ok with it until Charlotte started making a profit and then the trouble started. A Family Meeting had to be called.
The families always came out to the summer house for the summers and this year would be no exception. For me the story is mainly about Nona’s son Worth and his family which in part is Helen and Charlotte along with two boys, Oliver and Teddy. Teddy is the black sheep of the family with several issues that have caused more than enough trouble in the family. He’s come back to Nantucket and brought along with him a few surprises. There is much drama between him and his whole family but most especially his father. Teddy can never manage to live up to his father’s expectations. Turns out nobody really can. Worth is a hard man to please but he seems to has some trouble of his own brewing.
Things really come to a head when family secrets long buried are brought to the surface. They threaten to tear apart the family or bring it together. It just depends on which direction Worth wants to take. It’s hard for me to pick a favorite character in this novel as I liked a few. Nona I adored. At ninety she was spending a lot of time dozing and thinking back to her past and what had happened and what effects it had even on the present time. Helen was another person I really liked. She went from a wife who really followed her husband to a woman who stood on her own and let people know what she wanted. Charlotte was great. She was trying to find herself again after doing something she found unforgivable to herself. I adored the sound of her garden and thought what a wonderful way to spend the rest of your days – in Nantucket running a garden stand.
There were lots of descriptions and things I would love to share but there would be too many. Here is one of my favorites…
- ‘All around them, beach plums and rose hips glistened among the heath and low bushes, and a hawk wheeled high overhead in the flawless blue sky. Charlotte felt as if she were suddenly possessed of a rare, clear, pure happiness — it was a delicate gift, almost liquid, contained within her heart like elixir in a sacred vessel. She wanted to be motionless; she wanted to simply exist, feeling this way. Cleansed. And new.’ (pg 333)
Summer House is a good summer read especially as it takes place near the beach and really reminds you of the goodness of summer. It’s a slow building, steady and comfortable read if that makes sense and I really enjoyed that. I’ve not read anything by Nancy Thayer before but I wouldn’t hesitate to pick up another of her novels. I think too this could make a really good pick for a book club as there are so many different issues that go on in this novel that would make great discussion topics.
Make sure to visit Nancy Thayer’s website here. You can pick this book up here in the US and here in Canada. Many thanks to Dorothy at Pump Up Your Book Promotion for the opportunity to participate in this tour.
Oh I need to read this book. I read another book by Nancy Thayer, hmmm let me think…OH! "An Act of Love" have you ever read that? It was so good, very sad! I think that is the only other one I have read by her.
It looks really good Dar. I need a couple of summer reads to take away with me, so I might consider this one. I tried to comment on your Sunday post and I couldn't get into your comments, no idea why! Anyway wanted to say, Buddy looks fabulous with his new hair cut, he looks really chipper.
It sounds good, and I do love that cover. I'm wondering if the cover captures the essence of the book, though! The people look pretty happy and peaceful in that hammock!
It is a really apealling cover. I haven't ever been to Nantucket, but I've read several books there and visited the surrounding areas and it does seem really idealisitic and lovely. And those family secrets…don't people know they always come out!
This sounds like a great book to read in August as my summer draws to a close. Thank you for such a great review.
It does sound like a book that has apotential to get me out of my reading rut lol. I will have to check it out soon.
I thought this was a fabulous book and just loved it. It didn't start slowly for me. It seems like I was immersed in the family from the get-go. Nancy Thayer is now on my list of must read authors. She captured the essence of family issues as well as Adriana Trigiani.
I just finished this last night. My blog tour date is tomorrow. I thought it was the perfect summer read: a bit of love, drama, heartache..everything you would want in a summer book.
I have been seeing a lot of Thayer at the library lately. And this one does sound good, hm, perhaps, perhaps
Thanks for the great review, Dar!
This definitely sounds like my kind of book! I'll have to put it on my TBR list!
Nantucket is beautiful, serene peaceful, quaint and so much more. The only problem is that in the past 10 – 15 years celebrities discovered it and so in the high summer months it's just too crowded. As a result of celebrity attention there has been a Nantucket Film Festival for many years which also draws crowds to the island. But the people who live there year round try to make sure it stays a serene, quaint place – there are no McDonalds or fast food chains and they limit how much building is permitted each year.
At Christmas time the town is decorated to the nines and for one week all the stores host snacks and cider and eggnog and carolers are walking around. It's beautiful and festive!
Thank you for the recommendation!
Amy
I love the cover of this book..so perfect for the summer. It's great when books pull you into the lives of families, secrets and stories. Thanks for the wonderful review,Dar:)
Glad to learn you enjoyed this one, Dar. A "comfortable read" can be a nice change of pace over those more intense reads … a book to relax with for sure!
Looks like you enjoyed this as much as I did, Dar. My review will be up tomorrow for the blog tour. This was a perfect summer read! Nice review.
A book with secrets sounds good and juicy to me!
Oh this sounds so good Dar…thanks for the review.
I've enjoyed Nancy Thayer in the past. This sounds like a great summer read. Thanks so much!
Sounds like a good book for a great summer read! Love the cover!
I enjoy Nantucket settings as well. So glad you enjoyed this one. I think this one would be ideal for a friend of mine.
This sounds like a great summer read. I've never read a Nancy Thayer book so will have to check this one out.
Great review Dar! Sounds like a great story. I'll have to look out for this one!
I've never read a book set in Nantucket but I have seen pictures. It looks like a lovely place! Glad you enjoyed your book
Thanks everyone for your comments on my review of Summer House. If you've read it feel free to give me your link and if you get a chance to read it, let me know. I'd love to hear your thoughts on it.
Wendy, I haven't read any others by Thayer but I plan to.
Viv, I wonder why you couldn't get into that post. Oh well, Buddy says thank you.
Sandy, no the cover really doesn't have anything to do with the book. I saw the UK cover and I think it did more. I had featured it on my blog at one point. It was off a blanket on a chair on a porch and that actually has something to do with the story in a way.
Trish, I looked up Nantucket while reading this book and just fell in love with some of the photos. I'd love to visit someday.
Kaye, I intend to read more by Thayer as well. I don't know how I've never read anything by her before.
Amy, thanks for that info on Nantucket. It sounds like such a wonderful place.
Oh, I just love that cover!
This book sounds just like the kind of thing I would like. I am putting this on m,y wish list. You know, every time I visit here, I leave with a huge stack of book recommendations, so thanks!
sounds like a great book!
That's a beautiful cover with a great storyline.
I think I'd like this one. Thanks for the review.
–Anna
Diary of an Eccentric
I just finished this book. Didn't
want it to end. I'm going to miss all of those characters. I hope Nancy writes a sequel.