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Summer

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Summer

By: Edith Wharton
Narrated by: Grace Conlin
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Wharton's most erotic and lyrical novel, Summer explores a daring theme for 1917: a woman's awakening to her sexuality.

Eighteen-year-old Charity Royall lives in the small town of North Dormer, ignorant of desire until the arrival of architect Lucius Harney. Independent yet kept from love until now by society's expectations, Charity finds herself wrapped up in a love affair with Harney.

Like the succulent summer landscape in the Berkshires around them, Charity’s romance is lush and picturesque, but its consequences are harsh and real.

Praised for its realism and candor by such writers as Joseph Conrad and Henry James and compared to Flaubert's Madame Bovary, Summer was one of Wharton's personal favorites of all her novels and remains as fresh and relevant today as when it was first written.

(P)1994 Blackstone Audio, Inc. Classics Fiction Genre Fiction Literary Fiction American Literature
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Critic reviews

“Wharton’s descriptive powers are superb, and Grace Conlin’s narration is exquisite. Highly recommended.”

(Library Journal (audio review))

“Reader Grace Conlin distinguishes both men’s and women’s voices easily, using hushed, intimate tones to convey the sweetness of the romance. Yet an ephemeral quality in her delivery casts a shadow of reality on the story and reminds the listener that seasons change. Winner of the AudioFile Earphones Award.”

(AudioFile)

“Breaks, or stretches, many conventions of women’s romantic love stories and in the process creates a new picture of female sexuality…A clamorous and ecstatic affirmation of the joy of sexual love no matter what it costs.”

(Marilyn French, New York Times bestselling author)

“A clamorous and ecstatic affirmation of the joy of sexual love no matter what it costs.”

(Marilyn French, New York Times bestselling author)
All stars
Most relevant
Great story, plot and characterisations
amazing lucid vivid descriptions
beautifully read and well narrated
recommended 5*

excellent 5*

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If your app allows slowing the playback down one notch x0.9 make this book a beautiful listen. Give it a go it’s worth it

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I was surprised by how gripping this 1916 novel was. It was easy to become immersed in Charity Royal's world & her burgeoning romance with Lucius Harney. However there are darker forces at play which threaten to sweep her along towards tragedy. I had not previously rated Edith Wharton but she is a masterful storyteller. Grace Conlin's voice was wonderfully evocative to listen to, first class narration.

Surprising

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I always enjoy novels written in times past, which allows a glimpse into how life really was, the mores and morals, the gender relations, how people lived, thought and behaved.
This novel is about a young woman who clearly steps outside the rigid confines of society. Ultimately =a man who loves her rescues her, but we are not privy to whether she wanted to be rescued by him. I thought it was well written and engaging and has a number of surprises. A few unlikely coincidences, but easily overlooked.

How things were in those days

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This book is a classic I think & old fashioned in a way but gentle, romantic & absorbing. A proper novel!

Loved this book!

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