Summerland

A Novel

By: Elin Hilderbrand

Narrated by: Erin Bennett

Length: 13 hrs and 21 mins

Publisher's summary

A warm June evening, a local tradition: The students of Nantucket High have gathered for a bonfire on the beach. But what begins as a graduation night celebration ends in tragedy after a horrible car crash leaves the driver of the car, Penny Alistair, dead and her twin brother in a coma. The other passengers - Penny's boyfriend Jake and her friend Demeter - are physically unhurt, but the emotional damage is overwhelming, and questions linger about what happened before Penny took the wheel.

As summer unfolds, startling truths are revealed about the survivors and their parents - secrets kept, promises broken, hearts betrayed. Elin Hilderbrand explores the power of community, family, and honesty, and proves that even from the ashes of sorrow, new love can still take flight.

©2012 Elin Hilderbrand (P)2012 Hachette Audio

Gentle story

Might be described as a "summer read". I thought the story was interesting and moved quickly. The narration was excellent. It's the kind of book that makes you think about the baggage people carry around without anyone knowing and it makes you wonder about secrets you may never know. Not exactly a feel-good kind of book but satisfying in the way it all gets resolved.

One of my favorite Elin Hilderbrand

A deadly car accident kills one twin and leaves her brother broken and in a coma is the backdrop for SUMMERLAND as the lives of the survivors and their parents are explored.

Not one of my favorites

It was a bit too long and way to many characters. It did not keep me captive like most of her books do.

Summerland

Well-written, heartfelt story with relatable characters. Loved the narrator! Her voice brought this book to life.

More gained than lost!

The book opens with a car accident involving four 17 year old kids. It is a slow reveal as to why the events fell the way they did. There is heavy subject matter discussed, such as abortion and alcoholism. It was not the lighter type beach read I exspected from Mrs. Hilderbrand. Still, I enjoyed the story. It is not overly sad or depressing. You listen to learn about other experiences. I gained some growth from this book.

Drags a bit

The characterizations were well done. The story tended to plod a bit — mired in angst. Got tired of the story line in the middle. Fairly well resolved in the conclusion.

Even better the second time around!

I read this the year it came out in print (I read Elin Hilderbrand books every summer) and wanted to listen again. I'm glad I did! Her characters and scenery are so descriptive!

Great Story

I adore Elin Hikderbrand’s method is storytelling and character development. Her language is descriptive in a way that manages to drop you smack dab into the setting, to the point of being able yo smell the atmosphere and taste the food.
This story is multi-faceted and give perspectives from two generations. Elin has brilliantly conveyed the complexities of life and relationships, especially this that are tightly entwined in close-knit communities. She also gives Nantucket a realness, an approachability, that makes it more than just a destination.

The performance is where I have a problem. The narrator’s monotone, emotionless voice deters from, rather than enhances, this story. Rarely does she emote in a way that, in my opinion, serves the story and characters well. It made it very difficult to engage with the story for the first several chapters. On a slightly different note, I’ve noticed that the sound quality of several Audible stories is not good. Whether I listen via headphones, ear buds, my wireless speaker at home, or in my car, there is a slight reverb to many of them which makes even a strong narrator sound tinny and stilted.

However, this story is strong enough that it overcomes even a weak narrator. The resolution was realistic yet hopeful.

Never dissappointed

Loved this book, live this author !
I feel like I was on the island crying and laughing with them all,

Not a lot of interest in the plot

As much as I always love Elin's descriptions of Nantucket, her ability to describe food so that you can almost taste, it along with the fact that her writing can make you feel like you are right there, this fell flat for me. I was looking for a great summer read and based on the title, I though this was it...it wasnt. This was depressing and just placed me in the heads of miserable charactors. I have loved most of her books, but this one was hard to finish because it was just sad and kind of boring.