The Summer We Read Gatsby

A Novel

De: Danielle Ganek

Narrado por: Justine Eyre

Half-sisters Cassie and Peck could not be more different. Cassie is a journalist with her feet firmly planted on the ground; Peck is an actress with her head in the clouds. In fact, the only thing they seem to have in common is their inheritance.

Fool's House is a broken-down home in the Hamptons left to Cassie and Peck by their Aunt Lydia, a house that she decreed they must share. But Cassie and Peck can't afford the place, and they can't agree on what to do with it. Plus, along with the house, they've inherited an artist-in-residence and self-proclaimed genius named Biggsy who seems to bring suspiciously bad luck wherever he goes. Cassie and Peck try to figure out their Aunt Lydia's puzzling instructions to "seek the thing of utmost value" in the house, but as summer comes to a close, they seem no closer to coming to a decision.

The Summer We Read Gatsby is filled with fabulous parties, tempting romances, eccentric characters, and insider society details. It's a sparkling novel that showcases Danielle Ganek's pitch-perfect sense of style and wit.

©2010 Danielle Ganek (P)2010 Tantor

Won't win any Pulizers, but a fun "beach read"

Fun, cute book, with lots of references to educated topics and jokes funny to those with a college education. It won't win any literary awards, I think, but I'd pass its paperback form on as a fun beach or vacation novel. I personally enjoyed it as a cute, girly audiobook between more intellectual, heavy works to which I listen.

Chick Lit

I found Peck to be litterally annoying.
Finn and Stella's relationship to be my favorite part.
there were too many ood unlikeable characters.
and the story line and scene setup were choppy.
it was ok. not terrible.

Bookclub Pick - but worth it!

As I mentioned, I listened to this book so I could participate in my book club discussion. I first want to say that Justine Eyre was very well suited in her role and she did an excellent job with the voices. The story line was entertaining and the epilogue was a surprise point of view that I've not seen before (or heard before - Ha Ha). I enjoyed the story and will recommend it to others.

Ultimately an OK listen

Was The Summer We Read Gatsby worth the listening time?

I did not find it easy to settle in to this story. I found the narrator's tone too artificial somehow and while the story itself was plausible enough it was also a bit predictable and I nearly gave up a couple of times.

I didn't give up though, hearing it through to the end to learn what the aunt considered to be the most valuable gift. In some ways the story was heartwarming and I grew to like the characters better by the story's end. This is not a book I'd jump up and down to recommend but it's a solid enough story.