There’s a number of things that are very enticing about this novel, even before opening the cover: the author Meg Rosoff has consistently delivered very fine young adult fiction with great characterisation and topical themes so there’s a certain expectation, there’s a hint at memories of long summers past in the Gatsby-like title which has piqued my interest, and I’m in the mood to escape (even if only in my imagination) this wintry blast that has accompanied the second lockdown in our COVID world.
Although this title will be released in the UK and US summer as part of a summer reading campaign, it doesn’t seem out of place in our Australian winter. The long summer holiday is an institution in this country and there’s plenty that seems familiar – the setting of a beach-side holiday house with family and friends, a myriad of outdoor pursuits, plenty of space for everyone to do their own thing, and the group coming together at the end of the day to swap stories and set the plans for the next day of leisure. An end-of summer wedding is announced and nuptial plans are put in place.
Once the scene has been set, a history of summer rituals established, the family of characters assembled and neatly arranged, Rosoff drops two variables into the mix: Kit and Hugo arrive to join the summer holiday, sons of a minor movie actress who disappears back to her work, leaving the boys to join the family for the entire summer.
Immediately the dynamic shifts. Teenage Mattie throws herself into a steamy summer romance with the sensually entrancing Kit, while Hugo remains aloof and surly. Our narrator, whose sexual identity is never revealed, studies the constantly shifting dynamics of the group as the summer days unfold. A serpent has been released in paradise and everyone will be forever changed by the consequences of this summer, some with devastating effect.
This is a quintessential coming-of-age novel wrapped up in a languid summer read that will leave the reader reflecting and dissecting the characters motives and actions. There are big adult themes: awakening desire and sexuality, trust and gaslighting, manipulation and raw honesty. This summer holiday started with a feeling of transience, impermanence, haziness. It concludes with permanent emotional damage for some, freedom and life lessons for others. Annoyingly, the main protagonist escapes unscathed. Another life lesson.
This book will appeal to young adult readers 14+ and the adults in their orbit. It is perfect escapist holiday reading, winter or summer, and every holiday beach-house should have one.
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