Genre: Historical Fiction
Length: 399 pages
Audiobook Length: 9 hours and 18 minutes
First Published: 1998
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Rachael’s Review
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Random House. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
During the summer of 1977, Vix Leonard’s world changes forever when she is swept into a world of unimaginable privilege after she becomes best friends with Caitlin Summers. For years they are inseparable, growing up together and spending each summer on Martha’s Vineyard. Even though they haven’t been close in years, Caitlin begs Vix to be her maid of honor at her wedding. Vix agrees, hoping to discover what caused the rift between them that summer long ago.
For her August book club pick, Jenna Bush Hager picked an old favorite as the perfect beach read about female friendships. I was less enthralled with Judy Blume’s adult novel than Jenna. Summer Sisters starts as an erotic coming-of-age story with a stereotypical cast of characters. By the second half of the novel, Vix matures more than Caitlin and her teenage boyfriend, creating a push and pull that shows the destructive side of childhood friendships.
Publisher’s Description
In the summer of 1977, Victoria Leonard’s world changes forever when Caitlin Somers chooses her as a friend. Dazzling, reckless Caitlin welcomes Vix into the heart of her sprawling, eccentric family, opening doors to a world of unimaginable privilege, sweeping her away to vacations on Martha’s Vineyard, an enchanting place where the two friends become “summer sisters.”
Now, years later, Vix is working in New York City. Caitlin is getting married on the Vineyard. And the early magic of their long, complicated friendship has faded. But Caitlin begs Vix to come to her wedding, to be her maid of honor. And Vix knows that she will go—because she wants to understand what happened during that last shattering summer. And, after all these years, she needs to know why her best friend—her summer sister—still has the power to break her heart.
Quotes from Summer Sisters
Not everything has to have a point. Some things just are.
What’s the point of thinking about how it’s going to end when it’s just the beginning?
Nothing matters but the moment. There might be no tomorrow and even if there is, nobody gives a damn.
About Judy Blume
Judy Blume is a bestselling author known for her children’s books such as Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret; the Fudge series; and Forever. She is also the author of adult novels, including Wifey, Smart Women, and Summer Sisters. Blume is on the boards of the Author’s Guild, the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, and the National Coalition Against Censorship. She is also the founder of The Kid’s Fund. Blume currently lives on islands up and down the East Coast. Visit the author’s website →
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