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samc67's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
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? Yes
5.0
Reading an Elizabeth Taylor book is always a joy & this one didn't disappoint. Her characters are so well described that you feel they must really exist somewhere in the world.
bleurghonaut's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.5
This short novel is set around one family and is written in a series of vignettes from each character's perspective. The main focus is Kate, a middle-aged woman who has remarried a feckless younger man after being widowed. They have lots of great sex but have little else in common. Deep down, Kate knows and understands this but wilfully pushes away any doubts, until an old friend, Charles, returns from abroad and stirs everything up for Kate.
Like Barbara Pym, Taylor's ability to expose our most human, most vulnerable selves with great sensitivity and humour makes this book very special. This would have been a 5-star read for me if it wasn't for the ending. It felt almost as if Taylor just got fed up with the characters and there are a couple of time jumps, a very convenient plot twist and an abrupt ending. Kate reminded me of Faye, the character in Rachel Cusk's Outline trilogy in that she seems withdrawn and unavailable almost to the point of (psychologically) neglecting her children, but the difference in In a Summer Season is that Kate does acknowledge that she has failed as a parent. Faye seems cold and distant but Kate is a sexual being and has fire just under the surface, although she is ashamed of her sexual desire. She is an interesting, intelligent and complex woman and I would have liked for the novel to be longer.
Like Barbara Pym, Taylor's ability to expose our most human, most vulnerable selves with great sensitivity and humour makes this book very special. This would have been a 5-star read for me if it wasn't for the ending. It felt almost as if Taylor just got fed up with the characters and there are a couple of time jumps, a very convenient plot twist and an abrupt ending. Kate reminded me of Faye, the character in Rachel Cusk's Outline trilogy in that she seems withdrawn and unavailable almost to the point of (psychologically) neglecting her children, but the difference in In a Summer Season is that Kate does acknowledge that she has failed as a parent. Faye seems cold and distant but Kate is a sexual being and has fire just under the surface, although she is ashamed of her sexual desire. She is an interesting, intelligent and complex woman and I would have liked for the novel to be longer.
bookbuyingaddict's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
han_cat's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
hpc1c21's review against another edition
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
lola425's review against another edition
4.0
If you haven't read Taylor's work and you like British writers who tell stories about women and the way they must navigate a world not built by them, but where they quietly navigate it and make their impact.
Barbara Cormyn and Barbara Pym are good readalikes so if you like them, you will like Taylor.
Barbara Cormyn and Barbara Pym are good readalikes so if you like them, you will like Taylor.
teresac's review
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
rosh's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25