The Summer Girls

By: Mary Alice Monroe

Narrated by: Mary Alice Monroe

Length: 11 hrs and 42 mins

Publisher's Summary

Three sisters reunite on Sullivan’s Island off the coast of South Carolina after years of separation in this heartwarming first novel in a new trilogy from a beloved author.

80-year-old Marietta Muir is a dowager of Charleston society who has retired to her historic summer home on Sullivan’s Island. At the onset of summer, Marietta - "Mamaw" - seeks to gather her three granddaughters - Carson, Eudora, and Harper - with the intent to reunite them after years apart.

©2013 Mary Alice Monroe (P)2013 AudioGO

Critic Reviews

"[Anyone who] enjoys such fine Southern voices as Pat Conroy will add the talented Monroe to their list of favorites." ( Booklist)

Good story but poor narration

I loved the storyline and the characters but did not care for Mary Alice Monroe's performance. Her fake southern accent and her inconsistent pronunciation of "Mamaw" really took away from my listening enjoyment.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Not thrilled

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

someone who needs a sleeping aide

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

There wasn't really an ending, the story lines of characters were left open--almost forcing one to purchase Book 2 for completion.

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Mary Alice Monroe?

Anyone - she is a good writer and should stick to writing. Reading was lack luster, comparable to psychology 101 in large college auditorium. Monotone. This past month I have listened to Catherine Tabor and Amy Rubinate either would have made this so much more enjoyable.

What character would you cut from The Summer Girls?

None, the women need to be expanded on and not so predictable. While listening not so much "Carson said" Dora said" etc...

Any additional comments?

Although wondering where the other sisters wonder, not sure I can listen to another book with same narrator.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

The summer girls

I did not enjoy this story, it had promise yes, but, it somehow did not leave me satisfied, I kept wanting to hear more about the two other sisters , and the boy in the story, however the true message was about alchoholism, it's effects on families , and the plight of Dolphins.
I think I was hoping for Southern charm, romance and life in the South.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Ugh

please tell the reader Southern pronounce Mamaw as Mam-maw not Ma-Ma. as someone who had a Mam-maw it is aggravating to hear.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

I liked it but I didn't love it

This is my first listen with this author. While I think she is a good writer she didn't keep my attention and it seemed slow. I like all the characters. The setting is good. The narration is good. It just didn't grab my attention. I think I may have become tainted by so many fast action type books and chick lit usually moves fast. At the time I purchased this one I purchased The Beach House also....I am going to wait awhile to try it.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Narrator ruins story

What would have made The Summer Girls better?

Different narrator

Would you ever listen to anything by Mary Alice Monroe again?

I would, but not narrated by her.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

Far too slow, bad accents, no sense of timing. Good narrators perform the book; this author reads it aloud as though for a slow learner.

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

Could have been an intriguing, atmospheric story, but I couldn't get past the narration and didn't finish.

Truly terrible

This book is written with such an elementary style that I found it impossible to care about the story.

The writer conflicted herself several times before Chapter 5.

The performance was very annoying. This is the 1st time I've felt compelled to write a review like this.

Slow and dull.

I could not get into this story. It was soooo slow and boring. Ughghgh. The narrator's voice was not helpful either.

Distracting editing and narration challenges

I WANTED to love this story. However the editing challenges, like repeated phrases and words, and the faux southern accent and verbiage, made that almost impossible. Add to that a few plot weaknesses and it was simply difficult to get through (even though I found some of the characters quite likable.)

Good book

The story was good but I noticed a few times the narrator repeated the same line. Not sure if it was something on my phone or how it was recorded. But I enjoyed the story, especially since I live in SC and have been to Sullivan's many times. Looking forward to the second book.