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Body Surfing
Body Surfing
Author: Anita Shreve
At the age of 29, Sydney has already been once divorced and once widowed. Trying to regain her footing, she has answered an ad to tutor the teenage daughter of a well-to-do couple as they spend a sultry summer in their oceanfront New Hampshire cottage. But when the Edwards's two grown sons, Ben and Jeff, arrive at the beach house, Sydney fin...  more »
Info icon
ISBN-13: 9780316036283
ISBN-10: 0316036285
Publication Date: 7/1/2009
Pages: 320
Rating:
  • Currently 3.6/5 Stars.
 23

3.6 stars, based on 23 ratings
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
Book Type: Mass Market Paperback
Other Versions: Hardcover, Audio CD
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review

Top Member Book Reviews

Bibliocrates avatar reviewed Body Surfing on + 252 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 15
This was my first Anita Shreve novel, a story about a young women, Sydney, who experiences heartache, loss, and betrayal. I was immediately captivated by the beautifully written, picturesque prose. The narrative took some getting used to, very impersonal. The book started out strong, then began to lose direction due to a weak story line. The characters and events seemed disconnected, choppy, although Sydney's character was strong, resilient. So many people rave about Anita Shreve and yet many were disappointed with this one. I'm not sure why. I enjoyed it and I look forward to reading more of her work.
reviewed Body Surfing on + 85 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 9
I just don't get it. This has got to be one of the worst books I've read in my life. Okay, the worst I've ever read, that I actually finished; how's that? I was curious, because so many people seem to like/want it. As an author and a person educated in literature, I've got to wonder at society today...we can't write/read books that require more than a moment's attention? Good grief, this author writes like she's ADD! The story went absolutely no where; it was a jumbled repetition of miscellaneous thoughts. If you were wondering (though I would say other reviewers summed it up adequately), it's about few years in the life of a woman, who is a bit lost. And she pretty much stays lost. I would say this book sums up the norm of life for most people...going about their business, making little or no progress whatsoever. That is not something to be celebrated. This book has no purpose...it neither educates or inspires! And it is severely lacking in the entertainment department, as well.
Modaba avatar reviewed Body Surfing on + 75 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 4
I LOVE this book!!! What a great story. Anita Shreve never ceases to amaze me by creating love/life stories that are so complex, yet so authentic. Sydney is a main character of such a set of circumastances! She is human, not saintly, genuine, and indeed relative to many women. The Edwards family...ahhh, many of us have met a Mrs. Edwards...Ben and Jeff are intriguing to say the least...Julie and Mr. E are endearing. It's a great tale set in the same house that was featured in The Pilot's Wife, Fortune's Rocks, and Sea Glass. Anita Shreve is remarkable in creating tales that stem from the same geographical and in this case, architectural setting, occurring in different time periods. This is why I have chosen to read so many of Ms. Shreve's works. Many express dissatisfaction with the endings of Ms. Shreve's novels. I choose to consider them to be thought provoking and signature to Ms. Shreve. This one follows suit with that!

Wow! I simply LOVED this book!
reviewed Body Surfing on + 10 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 4
I bought this book at an airport newsstand and devoured it on the plane, and again when I had any free time during my trip. It wasn't a Noble Prize winner, and at times choices made by the main character annoyed me, but it nonetheless kept me interested overall in the lives of these characters. The author also effectively moved the plot forward, so the story didn't drag out.
Ladybrook avatar reviewed Body Surfing on + 31 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
Easy Read. Takes place on the NH coast. Main character is a woman named Sydney who's faced many challenges and tragedy before her 30th birthday. I enjoyed the book very much.
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Bookwork-Missy avatar reviewed Body Surfing on + 16 more book reviews
Anita Shreve never disappoints.
glowbuggreen avatar reviewed Body Surfing on + 13 more book reviews
I liked it initially and felt like it had a lot of potential. But honestly, the book fizzled into nothing very impressive. She didn't really develop any of the male interest characters so I found that I didn't care much about what happened to her in her love life. However, I did like Shreve's portrait of the father in the book. It is rare to see! Overall, I wouldn't recommend it over her others like Fortune's Rocks or Light on Snow.
lindakr avatar reviewed Body Surfing on + 9 more book reviews
I really felt the emotion of the main character, Sydney. She began as an employee and became a part of the family as the story unfolds. This book was a quick and easy read.
reviewed Body Surfing on + 8 more book reviews
This novel was so entertaining and fun about life and its dilemmas and decisions! I read Anita Shreve as much as possible!
augieandlourock avatar reviewed Body Surfing on + 117 more book reviews
I liked this book about a women who goes to the beach and falls in love with 2 brothers and the choices she has to make.another good story from Anita Shreve.
Readnmachine avatar reviewed Body Surfing on + 1474 more book reviews
Family dynamics play a huge role in this novel about a young woman who takes a summer job tutoring a wealthy family's daughter for her college SATs. When she finds herself sexually attracted to one of the family's sons, the notion of class and her own romantic past complicate matters.
reviewed Body Surfing on
As Anita Shreve's books tend to do, this one "grabs" the reader at the very beginning. Characters are real-life people; setting is beautifully described in much detail.
A great beach read.
reviewed Body Surfing on + 4 more book reviews
I wasn't a big fan of The Pilot's Wife, and I'm not sure I liked this book much better. It was an interesting story and well developed, but not really a captivating story.


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