Summer cover art

Summer

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Summer

By: Edith Wharton
Narrated by: Grace Conlin
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About this listen

 Written in Paris in 1916 as Edith Wharton contemplated the German army's approach, Summer is her most erotic and lyrical novel. The setting for the book, however, is far away from Paris, in the same rigid New England she used for Ethan Frome. It is here that she explores her most daring theme, a woman's awakening to her sexual needs.

The book's heroine is an 18-year-old girl named Charity Royall. Living in the small town of North Dormer, she is ignorant of desire until she meets a visiting architect, Lucius Harney. Like the succulent summer in the beautiful Berkshires around them, their romance is lush and picturesque, but its consequences are harsh and real.

(P)1994 Blackstone Audiobooks Classics Fiction Genre Fiction Literary Fiction American Literature

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Critic reviews

"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." ( AudioFile)
All stars
Most relevant
This totally took me by surprise.
An excellent reading of a great story.
Would recommend.

Superb

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I believe this novel is recorded/reproduced at the incorrect speed. As one or two others have mentioned, if you can slow the narration down to 0.9, it improves the listening experience drastically.

Incorrect Speed?

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A classic tale which has stood the test of time and is still as relevant today as when it was first written.

Really enjoyed listening to this well read story.

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A most unusual novel by Wharton. For once not set in High but Low Society. Very powerful.

The outlier

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This was my first audiobook download and I loved it so much that I stayed awake until 2.00 a.m. to hear it out. The reader perfectly captured the elegant, ironic tone of the writing without sentimentality. The story itself never falters, moving rapidly from one development to another while perfectly encapsulating both character and setting. It is extraordinary to think that this story of a small town girl's sexual awakening, understanding and betrayal was written in 1916.

Summer (unabridged), Edith Wharton

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