The Summer Guest

The Summer Guest is not a book I would normally read but I wanted to get a feel for Justin Cronin's writing before I tackle The Passage. I also found the synopsis on the back cover interesting.*No Spoilers*The story focuses on a group of people who have a strong attachment to a summer retreat. Joe and Lucy are married, Kate is their daughter, Jordan is the help who is also in love with Kate and then you have Harry. The story is quite pedestrian in the respect it is told with a great deal of precision but never getting out of first gear. It is told from the present day to flashbacks of when all the characters were younger.It is essentially a love story spread across about three decades (although the story stretches much further) from Joe's birth to the birth of Kate's daughter. It is very much a story of compassion, warmth, loyalty and a special bond between father and daughter.The dialogue between characters is excellent.There is a twist but if you follow the story close it becomes apparent halfway through. I don't remember a sentence of bad feeling through the story.I would have given five stars but for the pace of the storytelling. It is a book that needs perseverance but it is well worth it in the end, that is from a father's point of view.

Bought whilst awaiting publication of follow up in Cronin's trilogy, different but enjoyable read.

Excellent book - hard to get his books in UK bookshops. Cheers Amazon

Attracted to this because it was written by the author of The Passage. The book couldn't have been any different but The Summer Guest is a moving and wonderful story.

Enjoyable read

One of the best fishing authors ever

Excellent condition, thank you

This is a book that wraps itself around you like a warm cosy blanket - I had to ration myself with how much I read as I neared the final chapters as I didn't want it to end - I will keep this book on my bookshelf and take another look from time to time to remember how much I enjoyed it. The characters were believable and real the writer's empathy with each of them shone through - I loved it