an utterly enchanting book
Then suddenly, and yet it wasn't sudden at all, I remember myself with both hands pressed against the gabardine of his coat so hard that I could feel the roughness of the cloth. My head seemed to be throbbing wildly and still I was thinking very clearly and precisely. Behind him I could see the high stars and the golf course stretched out silver-green in the moonlight and the fire-flies flickering in the grass like bits of neon lighting. I felt a new breathless caution as if I were sitting in a bubble. And then, I, Angie Morrow, who had never done anything like this before, who until last Monday night had never even had a real date, could feel his cheek against mine, as warm and soft as peach fuzz. And I knew if I moved my face just a little, just a very little...
MY THOUGHTS
This wasn't a bad book, but it is very slow-paced and, to be perfectly honest, nothing really happens.
This book was published in the 40's, so this book also takes place in the 40's. Just something you might want to know before starting this. Angie, our main character, has just graduated high school and this is her last summer before college. She ends up becoming infatuated with Jack, who's kind of a popular athlete in her town. They end up becoming a couple and have a full summer together, but will their relationship last? Or is this the only summer that they will have together?
This is a coming of age book through and through. The issue is: it's kind of dull. This book is very drawn out and nothing really happens. The romance didn't really help. I say romance lightly, because I don't really consider this a romance or a romance book. I didn't really see much of a romance, or chemistry between Jack and Angie. Even their conversations and dates seemed very dull and most of them (conversations especially) were skipped over or simply just recapped (this book was written as if Angie was telling you about her summer).
I also had issues with Angie. She seemed very judgmental and uppity at times. I don't know if this is just a way that people may have acted in the 40's (though I doubt it), or it's just the way Angie and her family were (her family was also like this). There's a scene where Jack is invited for dinner and they're all eating ice-cream. While Jack is eating, his spoon clicks against his teeth and the whole family basically acts like they found Satan at the table. Later, Angie even mentions to us how disgusted she is by this and even debates whether to stop seeing him just because of the way he ate his ice-cream. Seriously. And there are more moments like this, though not as big.
IN CONCLUSION
I know I keep bashing this book, but it wasn't that bad. I liked the setting and the overall summer feeling to this book. The author obviously was an amazing writer! I can also see why this book was a classic in it's day. It's a great coming of ago book and it does show things about first loves, it just wasn't for me.
He looked over at me, smiled, and then sat down again.
Thus starts a summer Angie will never forget -- one full of spine chills, total bliss, heartache, and confusion...all the feelling that spell love.
