The Summer Country

A Novel

By: Lauren Willig

Narrated by: Nicola Barber

Length: 16 hrs and 48 mins

Publisher's summary

The New York Times best-selling historical novelist delivers her biggest, boldest, and most ambitious novel yet - a sweeping Victorian epic of lost love, lies, jealousy, and rebellion set in colonial Barbados.

Barbados, 1854: Emily Dawson has always been the poor cousin in a prosperous English merchant clan - merely a vicar’s daughter, and a reform-minded vicar’s daughter, at that. Everyone knows that the family’s lucrative shipping business will go to her cousin, Adam, one day. But when her grandfather dies, Emily receives an unexpected inheritance: Peverills, a sugar plantation in Barbados - a plantation her grandfather never told anyone he owned.

When Emily accompanies her cousin and his new wife to Barbados, she finds Peverills a burnt-out shell, reduced to ruins in 1816, when a rising of enslaved people sent the island up in flames. Rumors swirl around the derelict plantation; people whisper of ghosts.

Why would her practical-minded grandfather leave her a property in ruins? Why are the neighboring plantation owners, the Davenants, so eager to acquire Peverills? The answer lies in the past - a tangled history of lies, greed, clandestine love, heartbreaking betrayal, and a bold bid for freedom.

A brilliant multigenerational saga in the tradition of The Thorn Birds and North and South, The Summer Country will beguile listeners with its rendering of families, heartbreak, and the endurance of hope against all odds.

This audiobook includes an episode of the Book Club Girl Podcast, featuring an interview with Lauren Willig about The Summer Country.

©2019 Lauren Willig (P)2019 HarperCollins Publishers

No ending. Dissapointing.

I would have given this book 4 stars but..... The ending left me hanging and so unsatisfied. What was this author thinking? Good story but without an ending... Why bother?

A Great Listen

Mystery, twists and turns...who are they ... read and you might find out. Another excellent performance by Nocola Barber. On to
The Secret History of the Pink Carnation.

Amazing narrator!

Interesting historical fiction - mid 19th century Barbados. Great plot, characters span three generations. Highly recommend.

If only I had known...

Its very difficult to score The Summer Country because of a critical Audible mistake! The book bounces back and forth between 1814-1816 and 1854; the dates are briefly mentioned at the beginning of each chapter. I did not catch on to the two generations/two different stories unfolding simultaneously, until I was more than half through (8 hours) the book. Up until that point, I was thoroughly confused, could not follow the story and couldn't keep track of the characters. Duh. I would have put it down if I hadn't been traveling and thought it would be easier to just push through.

After I figured out that the book is set before and leading up to Bussa's Rebellion (1816 slave revolt in Barbados) and also the descendants a generation later, I thoroughly enjoyed it. The characters and location are very well defined and the story was engaging and interesting.

I recommend this one as long as you are aware of the bounces in time.

Beautiful, well considered historical novel

The Summer Country is one of the most beautifully complex works I have read in a long time. The language of the narration and dialogue really evoke the 19th century. The author expertly weaves together past and present, slowly making connections between characters and events; dancing in slow circles toward the ultimate revealing of truth.
As evidenced in the historical notes section, the author gives great attention to giving voice and emotion to female slaves.
An excellent work of historical fiction, with passion, heartbreak, scandal, and 21st century perspectives on slavery and womanhood.

Wonderful story, fantastic performance

This is a well written, wonderfully read story. The character development was spot on, and the readers various voices brought the characters to life. I am hoping that there will be a sequel to the story, as the characters still had more to say. Love this book, highly recommended!

Stunning, captivating read

Absolutely beautiful telling of a little know history through language that brings the gorgeous country, deeply developed characters and heart-wrenching story to vivid life..

Fantastic spellbinding historical novel

This is a great book. Fantastic and spellbinding story. You feel you are living the characters lives with them. Really gives an in depth glimpse of historical Barbados. Narrator does an excellent job!

Left wanting more

My only complaint was the abrupt ending. I would have liked to know how the next chapter of these characters’ lives concluded. Too much left unsaid & unsettled for my taste in the end.

Loved it!

I loved this book from beginning to end. I will definitely be listening to this one again!