wildwolverine's review against another edition
3.0
This book is often compared to its more famous cousin, Ethan Frome because of the recurring themes of isolation, rural villages, loss of individuality, and unfulfilled romance. Even though I tried to consider this book on its own merits, I couldn't help but also compare it to Ethan Frome, and I have to say, I think I know why the latter is more famous.
Both stories have stayed with me after I finished reading them, but EF was so much more haunting and tragic. Summer was an emotional roller coaster, and I'm not sure how I'm supposed to feel at its conclusion. The ending is both sweet and defeatist, and I think that's the point. The message of the story is put very succinctly by Charity's guardian Mr. Royall in that life only defeats you if you let it. So, while this book didn't end on a bang, it makes me think, and that's why I like it.
If you want an unconventional romance and great growth in characters, and you don't mind thinking, I highly recommend this read!
Both stories have stayed with me after I finished reading them, but EF was so much more haunting and tragic. Summer was an emotional roller coaster, and I'm not sure how I'm supposed to feel at its conclusion. The ending is both sweet and defeatist, and I think that's the point. The message of the story is put very succinctly by Charity's guardian Mr. Royall in that life only defeats you if you let it. So, while this book didn't end on a bang, it makes me think, and that's why I like it.
If you want an unconventional romance and great growth in characters, and you don't mind thinking, I highly recommend this read!
mrears0_0's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
was distraught
caliesha's review against another edition
4.0
Everything unrelated to the hours spent in that tranquil place was as faint as the remembrance of a dream. The only reality was the wondrous unfolding of her new self, the reaching out to the light of all her contracted tendrils.
A spectacular spring/summer classic (though nothing like its description). The scene Charity meets Lucius in the library, the imagery of the Mountain looming over North Dormer, Charity watching Lucius in the bushes, the Fourth of July fireworks celebration, Mr. Royall protecting her at the end... yes. A little stunned that it ended where it did. I read this as an ebook and was expecting another 4-5 chapters at the minimum. Truthfully, I was waiting for Lucius to return - he and Charity never really got their 'moment.' I respect the full circle ending with Charity's mother and Mr. Royall's tenderness but felt robbed of Lucius. Perhaps this qualm is unfair, however, as it is his very ephemerality that defines his appeal; Lucius is summer—the fleeting sweetness of youth, the clash of thunder and the warmth of the day, mercurial and devastating, but cherished nonetheless. Wharton's writing is beautiful and evokes a sort of Big Fish/Tuck Everlasting coming-of-age summertime country innocence. My only criticism is the bluntness of the ending. 4.5 stars.
A spectacular spring/summer classic (though nothing like its description). The scene Charity meets Lucius in the library, the imagery of the Mountain looming over North Dormer, Charity watching Lucius in the bushes, the Fourth of July fireworks celebration, Mr. Royall protecting her at the end... yes. A little stunned that it ended where it did. I read this as an ebook and was expecting another 4-5 chapters at the minimum. Truthfully, I was waiting for Lucius to return - he and Charity never really got their 'moment.' I respect the full circle ending with Charity's mother and Mr. Royall's tenderness but felt robbed of Lucius. Perhaps this qualm is unfair, however, as it is his very ephemerality that defines his appeal; Lucius is summer—the fleeting sweetness of youth, the clash of thunder and the warmth of the day, mercurial and devastating, but cherished nonetheless. Wharton's writing is beautiful and evokes a sort of Big Fish/Tuck Everlasting coming-of-age summertime country innocence. My only criticism is the bluntness of the ending. 4.5 stars.
bunnieslikediamonds's review against another edition
3.0
I must admit I was expecting upper-class ladies getting into compromising positions, maybe some panting and heaving, but this turned out to be much more prosaic than that. Poverty, misery and the worst kind of illicit relationships (the unsexy, incesty kind). Sad and tragic.
marleefayek's review against another edition
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
A sad realistic period peice, not a happy story but we'll written, visceral world painted through the central character, Charity, and strong social commentary of the era. Quick read.
bibliotequeish's review against another edition
4.0
The coming of age story about young Charity Royall rescued from the Mountain, and raised by the aging Lawyer Royall.
Swept off her feet by the mysterious Lucius, Charity begins to resent her guardian and plans to run away and marry Lucius, only Lawyer Royall knows this is not a possibility.
Not your average Wharton book, more along the lines of "Ethan Frome", than "The Custom of the Country". A rare Wharton story depicting poverty and social struggle.
Swept off her feet by the mysterious Lucius, Charity begins to resent her guardian and plans to run away and marry Lucius, only Lawyer Royall knows this is not a possibility.
Not your average Wharton book, more along the lines of "Ethan Frome", than "The Custom of the Country". A rare Wharton story depicting poverty and social struggle.
greta322's review against another edition
4.0
Romanzo breve nel quale la Wharton si stacca dall'ambiente borghese e cittadino (la vecchia New York) per ambientare la storia in un isolato, rurale paese del New England. Il romanzo di iniziazione vede come protagonista la giovane Charity Royall. Da uno stato di innocenza si passa alla vita adulta, ma questo processo anziché un'acquisizione, un allargamento del sé finisce per essere una perdita e una contrazione dell'identità.
Tutto il romanzo è avvolto nel sonnacchioso languore estivo; le folate di afa, il villaggio luccicante di calura, il danzare degli insetti, lo svolazzare delle bianche farfalle, il lago liscio che pare smaltato. Nella parte finale, invece, irrompe l'autunno, la natura tutta sbiadisce, e quella partecipazione alla vita, così intensa nei mesi estivi, muore.
Come nella maggior parte dei romanzi di Edith Wharton i personaggi sono afflitti, fin dalle prime pagine, da un senso di fatalità, quasi una predestinazione, e di inutilità della lotta contro un destino cinico e spietato.
Tutto il romanzo è avvolto nel sonnacchioso languore estivo; le folate di afa, il villaggio luccicante di calura, il danzare degli insetti, lo svolazzare delle bianche farfalle, il lago liscio che pare smaltato. Nella parte finale, invece, irrompe l'autunno, la natura tutta sbiadisce, e quella partecipazione alla vita, così intensa nei mesi estivi, muore.
Come nella maggior parte dei romanzi di Edith Wharton i personaggi sono afflitti, fin dalle prime pagine, da un senso di fatalità, quasi una predestinazione, e di inutilità della lotta contro un destino cinico e spietato.