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susiesmith96's review against another edition
3.0
This was a nice relaxing read that didn’t require too much mental energy. The story and characters develop nicely throughout the novel, even if the writing is not super sophisticated. It was a perfect vacation read that has a little more substance than some vacation books!
debi_g's review against another edition
4.0
"Doesn't it drive you insane sometimes, not knowing how it's all going to turn out? Like, literally anything could happen."
"Not really. I just figure that whatever adulthood's like, it's got to be better than our childhood" (35).
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"Have you ever had a moment when you look back over your life and see really clearly all the moments when you could have done something differently and then your life might have taken a whole other direction?" (280).
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I recommend this to fans of the novel (or series) Normal People, or anyone who enjoys watching decades unfold and seeing how all of the choices and circumstances fit together.
"Not really. I just figure that whatever adulthood's like, it's got to be better than our childhood" (35).
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"Have you ever had a moment when you look back over your life and see really clearly all the moments when you could have done something differently and then your life might have taken a whole other direction?" (280).
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I recommend this to fans of the novel (or series) Normal People, or anyone who enjoys watching decades unfold and seeing how all of the choices and circumstances fit together.
minty's review against another edition
3.0
This was the epitome of a beach read. Light, but interesting.
madskeo's review against another edition
2.0
So. Many. Adjectives.
So. Many. Drawn. Out. Sentences.
But somehow I felt compelled to finish (maybe because I was on a plane and had nothing else to do?) and still can say it helped the time fly. Not one I would recommend but not one I would say don't read. Writing style improved as the book progressed, the beginning was hard to get through. Almost stopped.
So. Many. Drawn. Out. Sentences.
But somehow I felt compelled to finish (maybe because I was on a plane and had nothing else to do?) and still can say it helped the time fly. Not one I would recommend but not one I would say don't read. Writing style improved as the book progressed, the beginning was hard to get through. Almost stopped.
offbalance80's review against another edition
1.0
I have absolutely no idea what's "invincible" about a bunch of boring people making really terrible choices over the course of a few decades, but it's entirely possible that the author didn't name the book. I'll bet $5 that it was some editorial assistant that thought it up while her boss took the credit (such as it goes in the industry). If you truly loved "One Day," you'll probably enjoy this, as it has an extremely similar conceit. Character studies are all well and good, but these characters need something to do other than make moon eyes at each other, failing to act on their feelings and making oblique cultural references. I don't mind light, but this was transparent.
iamqueenfal's review against another edition
3.0
Another really good summer read. The story didn't blow me away (but to be fair to the author and story, I've read some pretty epic tales lately and everything is being unfairly compared), but it's the perfect book to bring to the beach.
treepark's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
marissa2843's review against another edition
hopeful
reflective
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
3.75
vdecar's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.25
kbranfield's review against another edition
4.0
Beginning in 1995, Invincible Summer by Alice Adams is an engrossing novel that follows the friendships of four college friends through an array of ups and downs over the course of twenty years.
Despite the very different directions their lives take, Eva, Benedict, Sylvie and Lucien remain friends after graduation. Eva, the daughter of a professor with Socialist leanings, casts off her father's ideology and climbs the corporate ladder as an investment banker. Benedict, whose family is wealthy, continues on with his education as he seeks his PhD in physics. Sylvie, a free-spirited budding artist, appears destined to a great career as a painter while her brother Lucien becomes a successful club promoter. Although their friendship waxes and wanes over the years, the friends maintain contact, (albeit sporadically on occasion), as they weather the various storms that life brings them. However, as they reach different levels of success, jealousy and discontent lead to unpleasant confrontations and hurt feelings.
Instead of continuing on to grad school, Eva abandons her dream of becoming a physicist to work in finance. Working eighty hours a week, she slowly but surely works her way up the ranks but her personal life suffers as she concentrates on her building her career. Eva does find time to date, and a surprising romance leads to a long term relationship but are they destined to live happily ever after?
Benedict is a bit of a science geek but he knows exactly what he wants to do once he completes his PhD. His life takes a rather unexpected turn when he is close to completing his degree but he still manages to secure his dream job. Benedict makes a few missteps in his personal life but overall, he is mostly satisfied with what he has achieved although he suffers a few pangs of regret for some of his choices.
Of the four friends, Sylvie's path in life seemed crystal clear but surprisingly, she never quite achieved the success everyone expected. Despite her very obvious talent, her career as an artist never quite came together and she works one dead end job after another. Drinking too much and indulging in numerous one night stands, Sylvie is on a fast track for disaster when her friendship with Eva takes an ugly turn. Finally deciding to get her act together, she spends a restful summer away from London, but will this hard-won tranquility last once she returns to her regular life?
Lucien's charm and devil may care attitude translate into a successful career as a club promoter but how long can he sustain this hard drinking, partying lifestyle? Never taking anything or anyone too seriously, he is charismatic and well-liked but he never lets anyone get too close to him. When his world falls apart in a somewhat spectacular fashion, Lucien is rather pragmatic about his fate but will he learn from his mistakes?
Spanning twenty years, Invincible Summer by Alice Adams is a captivating novel of friendship. The chapters alternate between the different characters' perspectives which provides intriguing glimpses of the friends at various points in their lives. Although they drift apart occasionally through the years, their friendship evolves and strengthens as they undergo some very unanticipated and sometimes heartbreaking, life-altering events.
Despite the very different directions their lives take, Eva, Benedict, Sylvie and Lucien remain friends after graduation. Eva, the daughter of a professor with Socialist leanings, casts off her father's ideology and climbs the corporate ladder as an investment banker. Benedict, whose family is wealthy, continues on with his education as he seeks his PhD in physics. Sylvie, a free-spirited budding artist, appears destined to a great career as a painter while her brother Lucien becomes a successful club promoter. Although their friendship waxes and wanes over the years, the friends maintain contact, (albeit sporadically on occasion), as they weather the various storms that life brings them. However, as they reach different levels of success, jealousy and discontent lead to unpleasant confrontations and hurt feelings.
Instead of continuing on to grad school, Eva abandons her dream of becoming a physicist to work in finance. Working eighty hours a week, she slowly but surely works her way up the ranks but her personal life suffers as she concentrates on her building her career. Eva does find time to date, and a surprising romance leads to a long term relationship but are they destined to live happily ever after?
Benedict is a bit of a science geek but he knows exactly what he wants to do once he completes his PhD. His life takes a rather unexpected turn when he is close to completing his degree but he still manages to secure his dream job. Benedict makes a few missteps in his personal life but overall, he is mostly satisfied with what he has achieved although he suffers a few pangs of regret for some of his choices.
Of the four friends, Sylvie's path in life seemed crystal clear but surprisingly, she never quite achieved the success everyone expected. Despite her very obvious talent, her career as an artist never quite came together and she works one dead end job after another. Drinking too much and indulging in numerous one night stands, Sylvie is on a fast track for disaster when her friendship with Eva takes an ugly turn. Finally deciding to get her act together, she spends a restful summer away from London, but will this hard-won tranquility last once she returns to her regular life?
Lucien's charm and devil may care attitude translate into a successful career as a club promoter but how long can he sustain this hard drinking, partying lifestyle? Never taking anything or anyone too seriously, he is charismatic and well-liked but he never lets anyone get too close to him. When his world falls apart in a somewhat spectacular fashion, Lucien is rather pragmatic about his fate but will he learn from his mistakes?
Spanning twenty years, Invincible Summer by Alice Adams is a captivating novel of friendship. The chapters alternate between the different characters' perspectives which provides intriguing glimpses of the friends at various points in their lives. Although they drift apart occasionally through the years, their friendship evolves and strengthens as they undergo some very unanticipated and sometimes heartbreaking, life-altering events.