Customer Reviews

Summer Gone: A Novel

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

It was a pleasure to read Mr. Macfarlane's story of a man's thoughts and memories of childhood though adulthood. I liked the way all the thoughts blended together across the years as thoughts do in our minds as we reminisce. The forced Sunday School experiences recalled my childhood times for me. I've stayed a little closer to religious practice than Bay in the novel but I felt Bay was still a man of faith. Many descriptions in the novel are extremely hope-filled. The characters are all well-drawn and believable. It is just wonderful to read a novel of this caliber, so much writing today is not even worth reading. Summergone, mentioned only once in a list of other flowers, is a wildflower found in Canada. The author doesn't try to imply any heavy-handed symbolism but leaves any connections to be made by the reader. I really liked the economy of Macfarlane's prose in a book that any sensitive reader should love.

One of the more interesting twists of our consciousness is how we tend to remember those things for which we have lost and, how we often forget what we have. Bay Newling, one of the central characters in David MacFarlanes' excellent book, Summer Gone, struggles with just that conundrum during his trips to and memories of, Ontario's cottage country. His story, that of his son's and his parents all intertwine amongst the pine needles, rocks, summer storms, clear waters and in particular, one special canoe trip. A moving book, Summer Gone reveals the many intricate faces of the warm months often hidden behind the common veneer of carefree days around the lake. To my American readers, this book will give you a rare glimpse of a summer lifestyle Canadian's hold sacred.

Summer Gone is a fine novel, and I don't want to disagree with the comments of the other reviewers. However, while the story has several memorable moments, there was one theme that for me stood out above the others. I saw the book as being largely about the main character's failures; failures in many areas of his life. Thus, if I had to describe the book in one word, I would say "depressing". Does Bay redeem himself by the end? (Maybe, maybe not. I'm not telling.) But whether or not there is redemption, the overall "feel" of the book left me depressed.

I don't want to discourage anyone from reading the book. Just be aware of what you're in for.

This is the second book I have read by Macfarlane. Although I find his first, Danger Tree, a better and more powerful book, Summer Gone is still an excellent read. While it takes awhile to move through the time and generation jumping that he does, one eventually recognizes and relishes the vehicle and how it empowers this story of family and loss. I await whatever MacFarlane writes next!

I picked this because the cover intrigued me! (I don't usually do that!) I was captivated throughout the entire novel. The author's style was unique and refreshing. I could not wait for the surprising conclusion, but wished for more once I reached it!

I too found the author's technique very confusing. Not just at the outset, but basically throughout. Still not too sure who was the dad and who was the son. Some very nice passages and paternal themes kept me reading right to the end. But for my own quirk of finishing every book I bother to start, probably would have put this volume down about halfway through. The father/son suspense theme sort of reminded me of a weaker attempt at an homage to Joseph Heller's Something Happened. As described by another reviewer the cover art drew me in. I might try this author's other, work(s) if I come across same at a book sale.

I am a very avid reader and I usually love most books I read, this one was in my opinion, just plain horrible.
The main character of this story, Bay is sort of the narrator. I thought the writer would sometimes switch between Bay being the narrator and himself because it would get extremely confusing at points. There was nothing beautiful in this novel in my opinin as many comments here say. The characters are very dull and I never felt any sympathy for them because I did not feel that I knew much about any of the characters.
The story also switches from one character to the other and from the past to the present very abruptly so many times I was left wondering if it was still talking about the same character.
This book created massive confusion and anger within me. Many times I got so frustrated with the stupid little details that rambled on for 5 pages sometimes that I got frustrated and threw the book down.
But what really infuriated me was the end, it seems as if David Macfarlane realized how much he had been rambling and could ramble no more so he ended the book ever so abrutly in like one chapter. I had to read this chapter several times to actually understand what he was talking about.
This book turned me off reading for a month...it was just horrible. Sorry if I offended anyone.

I picked up this book several years ago because I loved David MacFarlane's quirky weekly column in the Globe & Mail. Instead of the lighthearted journalism I was expecting, I found a soft and dreamy story, full of bittersweet thoughts and raw relationships and cold lakes in summer. The narrative flows effortlessly back and forth in time, often without defined edges. There isn't quite a defined plot so much as a critical mass of memories and moments that blur together to create a vivid, gorgeous piece of very Canadian writing that deserves to be read out loud.

I've never felt compelled to write a review before. Summer Gone is now my favorite book, and i read everyday. It compels you to revisit your own past as the story unfolds of a father and his son. By the end you are uplifted and joyed by the beautiful writing and keenly focused storyline.

Finaly, after two previous attempts to "get into" this book, on the third I threw it out. Tough to make sense of it as the story jumps all over - even within one page! What's the plot - is there one? Very confusing writing! I thought this to be the author's first novel and felt he could use some more schooling in the English language and phrases. Oh well!