In Summer Light [Mass Market Paperback]

Zibby O'Neal (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 1986

With the help of an attractive graduate student, Kate endures a summer with her overpowering artist father and gains the courage to pursue her own artistic goals.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 6-12 It's hard to say which is more impressive in this literate, complex storyOneal's use of language, imagery and color or the development of her finely drawn characters. Kate, the daughter of a world-famous artist, feels only bitterness toward her egotistical father, whose approval she so desperately wants. While at home recuperating from mononucleosis, she falls in love with a graduate student assisting her father. Through Ian's understanding and support, she is able to stem some of the anger she harbors toward her father. The story unfolds slowly, as Oneal exposes Kate's talent as an artist, her refusal to paint and her gradual return to it. The change in Kate's attitude toward her father is paralleled by her ability to complete, finally, an English paper on The Tempest , a paper that she can finish only after she can deal with her dislike of Prospero and his similarity to her father. All is not resolved in the end, but Kate does come to understand herself and is on the way toward a better relationship with her frustrated, aging father. Artist that she is, Kate sees the world in colors; Oneal shows her audience Kate's world through her own use of color. A coming-of-age novel that is light-years above most others. Trev Jones, "School Library Journal"
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback
• Publisher: Starfire (August 1, 1986)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0553259407
• ISBN-13: 978-0553259407
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.2 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,536,173 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent "coming of age" book for young teens., May 18, 1996

By A Customer

This review is from: In Summer Light (Library Binding)

Known as a writer of children's literature, Zibby Oneal's trilogy of "young adult" books, beginning with "The Language of Goldfish", continuing through "A Formal Feeling" and culminating with "In Summer Light", presents a gentle, compassionate and totally enjoyable view of young teens feeling the first pangs of adulthood; trying to cope with all the confusion and heartache associated with "growing up". "In Summer Light" takes the plight of a young teenaged girl, spending her summer vacation at her parent's summer island home, sick with mononucleosis, trying to understand her often distant, artist father. Complicating matters, is the budding romantic feelings she has for the college student intern who has arrived to assist her father in cataloging his painting collection. Zibby Oneal tells the story in concise form, using the briefest of pharsing and style to convey the hazy, shimmering imagary of a New England island during a hot, summer season. Beautifully told, this is an execellent book I know young, teenaged readers will thoroughly enjoy. Adults, too, will especially appreciate the clear imagery and literary form that has become a hallmark of Zibby Oneal's style. Not to be missed!

4.0 out of 5 stars A special father daughter relationship, January 23, 2005

A Kid's Review

This review is from: In Summer Light (Mass Market Paperback)

Kate, the daughter of a famous artist, struggles with mixed feelings about her father. It is summer and Kate is forced to spend the summer with her parents while recovering from mononucleosis. With her father's constant presence, she is left to deal with emotions of anger and resentment over his fame and fortune.
The picture changes when a graduate student arrives to work with her father. Ian Jackson is attractive and attentive towards Kate. She falls head over heels in love. Through Ian, she tries to better understand her father. Ian helps to present her with a different picture of her father. Slowly, Kate's perception and attitude change.
Kate, through Ian, realizes that she has her father's talent for painting and begins to do some beautiful landscapes. She also has an assignment to do on a famous play called, The Tempest. This play holds many similarities to her own relationship with her father and helps her improve it.
In the end, things are much different than when they started. Kate's relationship is improving along with her talent for painting. She feels beautiful inside and out.
I enjoyed this book very much since it showed the changes that a father-daughter relationship can make for the better. Anyone who wishes to improve their relationship with their dad should enjoy this book.