Book Review: "Summer House" by Nancy Thayer

Title: Summer House

Author: Nancy Thayer

Publisher: Ballantine Books

ISBN, PUB Date: 978-0-345-49821-2, 6/1/10

Reviewed by: Tiffany Schlarman for Author Exposure (8/10)

The novel Summer House follows three generations of strong-willed Wheelwright women as they wrestle with decisions that will change their lives. The story starts off with the youngest of the three generations, Charlotte Wheelwright. She has always wanted to impress her father and make him proud, but so far she feels she has failed. Charlotte did not enjoy the family business of banking, and has spent much of her adult life afloat, hopping from one place to the next. Ashamed and punishing herself for her most recent mistake, Charlotte takes off to Nantucket Island and visits the family summer home in search of answers. What she finds is a passion for gardening and a love she never expected.

Helen Wheelwright, Charlotte’s mother, is a Wheelwright by marriage. Helen has spent her married life doing things the Wheelwright way and putting aside some of the things she loves, for her husband’s family. When Helen discovers a deep betrayal she is despondent and forced to face her deepest fears. She is confronted with her sense of self and what she wants out of life--a decision that could drastically change her life as she knows it.

The eldest woman, Anne Wheelwright (also known as Nona), celebrates her ninetieth birthday and is confronted with memories of her past along with the state of her family in the present. As she wrestles with these memories, she will be forced to reveal a shocking family secret that will change everyone’s outlook on life and family. The novel confronts the subjects of family, friendships, love, betrayal and secrets. The characters are true to themselves while making life-changing decisions for better or worse. They learn that the path taken may twist and turn, but it always finds a way back home.

Summer House is a simply beautiful story of family and the ties that bind. The novel switches from each woman’s story to the next, easily guiding the reader throughout its woven paths. There was never a moment where part of the book didn’t make sense or wasn’t interesting. The more you read, the more you are hooked. You will want to find out more about each character, their story, and their family. It is easy to lose track of time while reading this novel. The book makes you feel at home; it harvests the essence of family and brings about the emotions that go along with it.

I absolutely loved this book. It was original and exciting with a raw magnetism of emotional understanding. I really enjoyed Nona’s memories because they gave insight into how each woman has arrived where she is in the present. It shed light onto the Wheelwright family as a whole, giving the reader a broader and more developed picture of the family. It was easy to envision myself on Nantucket Island with this family throughout the novel. It has a wonderful mix of past and present, with a glimpse of the future that enables the reader to feel fulfilled throughout the novel. I would highly recommend this book to any reader. It is warm, heartfelt, smart, witty, and a perfect example of family in all its crazy wonderfulness. It will definitely be part of my permanent library and I look forward to reading it again.