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A review by belle_fiction
Summer Blonde by Adrian Tomine
4.0
4.5 stars
Tomine does it yet again! I mean seriously, how DOES he keep getting it right?
Summer Blonde comprises four short stories about ordinary people yearning for more in their private lives - the touch of a stranger's fingers on their skin, a magical kiss in the dark to ignite their dwindling passion, to feel alive again. Tomine perfectly captures the heartache and the mental turbulence his characters feel as they contemplate hooking up with different people and leaving their partners behind. He explores the unknown (and often unsafe) territory of seeing someone new.
He captures perfectly human nature - how we all have wants, needs and desires, and depicts how easily we can make the wrong choice - all of his stories fail to end on a happy note, but often during these turbulent times, the ending isn't even considered; it's the journey - the sheer thrill of being caught up in a new relationship which captivates us the most.
In this offering, Tomine explores our social awkwardness (do we take the plunge and ask someone out?), our jealousy towards those who seemingly get hit on wherever they go (Summer Blonde), those whose reminiscences can have damaging consequences on their present state (Alter Ego), and those who are used again and again, and seemingly drift through life without any real relationships (Hawaiian Getaway).
My favourite story was Hawaiian Getaway with Summer Blonde a close second. Tomine paints people's feelings as highly complex and often elusive things; sometimes we cannot reason why we do what we do - these things just happen. We are all prone to flattery and curiosity; sometimes prompting us to act on our impulses without any rational thought.
Again, Tomine's real gift is capturing everyday dialogue, our intimate conversations with those we wish to get to know better, and explores how the little things which often go unsaid are the ones which can make or break a relationship.
A profound and affecting read (heart-breaking in terms of Hawaiian Getaway.) A must for those who love to be moved by stories, and to experience the power and complexities of human nature.
Tomine does it yet again! I mean seriously, how DOES he keep getting it right?
Summer Blonde comprises four short stories about ordinary people yearning for more in their private lives - the touch of a stranger's fingers on their skin, a magical kiss in the dark to ignite their dwindling passion, to feel alive again. Tomine perfectly captures the heartache and the mental turbulence his characters feel as they contemplate hooking up with different people and leaving their partners behind. He explores the unknown (and often unsafe) territory of seeing someone new.
He captures perfectly human nature - how we all have wants, needs and desires, and depicts how easily we can make the wrong choice - all of his stories fail to end on a happy note, but often during these turbulent times, the ending isn't even considered; it's the journey - the sheer thrill of being caught up in a new relationship which captivates us the most.
In this offering, Tomine explores our social awkwardness (do we take the plunge and ask someone out?), our jealousy towards those who seemingly get hit on wherever they go (Summer Blonde), those whose reminiscences can have damaging consequences on their present state (Alter Ego), and those who are used again and again, and seemingly drift through life without any real relationships (Hawaiian Getaway).
My favourite story was Hawaiian Getaway with Summer Blonde a close second. Tomine paints people's feelings as highly complex and often elusive things; sometimes we cannot reason why we do what we do - these things just happen. We are all prone to flattery and curiosity; sometimes prompting us to act on our impulses without any rational thought.
Again, Tomine's real gift is capturing everyday dialogue, our intimate conversations with those we wish to get to know better, and explores how the little things which often go unsaid are the ones which can make or break a relationship.
A profound and affecting read (heart-breaking in terms of Hawaiian Getaway.) A must for those who love to be moved by stories, and to experience the power and complexities of human nature.