Summer Sisters A Novel

I don’t understand the negative reviews for this book, calling it “banal”, “tripe”, and “girly foolishness”. Obviously these are people who just “don’t get it” and would never survive one summer in the ramshackle cottage on Martha’s Vineyard with the Somers family. I LOVE this book. I’ve read it and re-read it over the years, from a tattered paperback, and recently bought it digitally to add to my Kindle library. Though I have not been part of a “summer sisters” style friendship, nor suffered betrayals from friends on the level of those in this tale, I can relate to the teenage friendship between the two girls. Judy Blume paints a lush portrait of an era, a location, and the conflicting characters and scenes: the high desert of New Mexico versus Cape Cod, the wealthy versus the lower middle class, and spoiled, needy Caitlin versus serious and pragmatic Vix.I grew up reading Judy Blume, but I’m no teen now. I’m in my 40s. Blume’s graceful writing style never disappoints. Negative reviewers that have complained the young teens focus too much energy on their budding sexuality have obviously forgotten what it’s like to be that age. In using varying viewpoints and characters narratives to tell the story, each character is well-developed from their own words and conversations as well as through the observations of others. As another reviewer astutely pointed out, Caitlin is the only one not given a voice. We only see her in the 3rd person, and I think that is intentional, as her character remains mysterious and conflicted in her motivations to the very (sad) end.1970s- ’80s Martha’s Vineyard and the late 20th century in general are characters in the story as well, and Blume expresses them both very dynamically. She’s writing about kids several years older than me, the “cool kids” I looked up to when I was young, and seeing inside their lives and times makes me feel I’ve finally caught up with them.The love story between Vix and Bru is steamy for sure, and full of missteps that young people make. Bru’s island guy local persona, tough but tender, quiet and calm, is mistaken by some reviewers as a cardboard portrait sans adequate development, but his simple straightforward demeanor should not be mistaken for lack of development. He is not a complex person. (Spoiler alert:)That’s perhaps the main reason his relationship with Vix fails.I consider this book, a fast, fun and engaging read, one of Judy Blume’s best.

Great read for the beach or to pass time, won’t put it down when you start.

Margaret and Deenie have NOTHING on Vixen and Cassandra.I have had a friendship for 38 years with someone who is a mix of them both. This book is just perfect. Sadly though it was an easy read so I am finished and wanting more!

Being blessed with lifelong friends , this book is well written , the characters are perfectly flawed.It restores romance in my heart and thoughts, humor in most of my relationships and I always get so much out of reading it. Thank you for the gift of tha book, Judy bloom

Every few years, I re read this book. It is one of my favorites. It reminds me of my youth and my Summer Sisters.