Customer Reviews

The Goodbye Summer

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This is only the second of Patricia Gaffney's books I've read, "The Saving Graces" my previous experience. I enjoyed that book thoroughly. "The Goodbye Summer" took just a little bit of time, but Gaffney's storytelling talents worked their special magic on me, and it wasn't long before I was a captive of story, setting, and character. A long and satisfying read, once you're pulled into this creation called Caddie and the really interesting individuals she becomes involved with, who become an enormously important part of Caddie's journey, you're in for a story of family, finding one's way, ageing, discovering one's roots, loss, finding love, coming to accept and appreciate the best in one's self. Very honestly, I reached a point where I couldn't put the book down and, then, when I didn't want the story to end. Treat yourself. It's a lovely book.

In Maryland, thirty-three years old music teacher Caddie Winger knows this is the worst summer of her life. Her close friends at Wake House; a convalescent home for the elderly and those recuperating from crippling accidents including her Nana who broke her leg; have been dying; although rationally she knows they are either septuagenarians or octogenarians. Caddie mourns their passing as she has made friends with many of them since she spends much of her free time at Wake House.

It is people like elderly resident Thea who persuades Caddie who smoke joints with her while others encourage her to live life to the fullest even as the younger woman worries her beloved Nana seems to get stranger with each passing moment. Struggling with no money and no confidence, Caddie is attracted to thirtyish resident Henry Magill, who is recovering from a sky-diving accident that left his fiancée dead.

This is a captivating perhaps overly teary tale of a woman who has not taken any life FLIGHT LESSONS until the senior citizens and Henry persuade Ms. Sorrowful Winger (great surname for a grounded sad eyes) to imitate Gene Kelly in Singing in the Rain. The storyline is aptly titled yet ironically readers know for the thirty-three years old piano teacher this is the most wonderful summer of her maudlin life.

Harriet Klausner