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Summer in February Paperback – February 1, 1996

by Jonathan Smith (Author)
4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 401 ratings
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While making a speech attacking modern art, Sir Alfred Munnings is taken back 40 years to a special time and place. Major Evans, listening to him on the radio, is also flooded with memories, and wonders how everything changed in both their lives.
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  1. Print length
    356 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Little, Brown Book Group
  4. Publication date
    February 1, 1996
  5. Dimensions
    5 x 1 x 7.6 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0349107467
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0349107462
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

an engrossing and surprisingly dark novel...―SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

This is a book rich in incident and richer still in its subtle and intricate analysis of emotional depths. It is also a meticulous re-creation of artistic life near the beginning of this century.―THE TIMES

Imaginative.―DAILY MIRROR

Subtle and affecting, a tender Edwardian love story.―GOOD HOUSEKEEPING

About the Author

Jonathan Smith was educated in Wales and at St John's College, Cambridge. KBO: The Churchill Secret, his seventh novel, is being adapted into a major ITV drama. An earlier novel, Summer in February, was made into a feature film, starring Dan Stevens and Dominic Cooper.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Little, Brown Book Group; New Ed edition (February 1, 1996)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 356 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0349107467
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0349107462
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 10.6 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5 x 1 x 7.6 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 401 ratings

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Jonathan Smith

Jonathan Smith

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Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
4.2 out of 5
401 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find the romance in the book intriguing with a tragic end. They also describe it as a great book, beautifully written, and a wonderful painter.

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RomanceReading experienceWriting stylePainterCharacters
14 customers mention "Romance"14 positive0 negative

Customers find the romance in the book intriguing, touching, and exciting. They also say it's sensitive and revealing, with a tragic end.

"...The story, in itself, is at once provoking and tense, but further on, Jonathan Smith's depictions of Cornwall in the early years of the last century..." Read more

"...The book is beautifully written although it's a tragic love story...." Read more

"This was a wonderful book and very heartwarming story. I would recommend it to anyone...." Read more

"The book describes a beautiful setting, interesting characters, and a tragic end. It is hard to put this book down, the words flow easily...." Read more

13 customers mention "Reading experience"13 positive0 negative

Customers find the book great and one of the best reads. They also say the movie is equally sensational.

"The book was OK, but I think the movie will be a great deal better. Difficult to get into it at first." Read more

"This was a wonderful book and very heartwarming story. I would recommend it to anyone...." Read more

"...But nevertheless it is a movie worth seeing." Read more

"...He thought it was beautifully written and really enjoyed reading it. I can't wait to read it...." Read more

9 customers mention "Writing style"9 positive0 negative

Customers find the book beautifully written and detailed. They also say it's a heartbreaking end.

"...This is pure literature and am so glad it was resurrected from its 1996 origin." Read more

"...The book is beautifully written although it's a tragic love story...." Read more

"...This book is beautifully written exposing emotions and feelings of the characters of an art community in England in an unusual way in the early 1900..." Read more

"I bought this book as a gift for my son. He thought it was beautifully written and really enjoyed reading it. I can't wait to read it...." Read more

4 customers mention "Painter"4 positive0 negative

Customers find the painter fantastic and fascinating. They also say it's fun to see him outside of his paintings.

"...He was an amazine person, a genius in his own right, and a fabulous painter." Read more

"The book describes a beautiful setting, interesting characters, and a tragic end. It is hard to put this book down, the words flow easily...." Read more

"...The book is part truth and part fiction but in its' telling a work of art." Read more

"Fascinating look at Munnings. It's fun to see him outside of his paintings...." Read more

3 customers mention "Characters"3 positive0 negative

Customers find the characters interesting.

"...The characters were very well drawn, and I did become engrossed in their story, more than I thought I would at first...." Read more

"The book describes a beautiful setting, interesting characters, and a tragic end. It is hard to put this book down, the words flow easily...." Read more

"Dan Stevens is a very good actor..." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

sir henry
5.0 out of 5 stars Impossibly brilliant
Reviewed in the United States on June 29, 2014
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I've waited a long time to find a book to join "The English Patient" in its brilliance. The story, in itself, is at once provoking and tense, but further on, Jonathan Smith's depictions of Cornwall in the early years of the last century are as vital and colorful as if painted on canvas. The whole artist community becomes alive and real, and the story--based on real people and their hidden truths--gives depth and suspense. I, as a writer, swooned at times at the turn of phrase, or the immaculate dialogue, and found not a flaw. Every now and then a book comes along that surprises--Summer in February is that surprise. Hack readers need not apply, for this gem could hardly be appreciated by typical genre enthusiasts. This is pure literature and am so glad it was resurrected from its 1996 origin.
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CGB
4.0 out of 5 stars Touching, Memorable Story . . . and better than the movie!
Reviewed in the United States on April 18, 2014
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The book tells the story of a group of artists--and others--living and working in Cornwall in the early part of the 20th century. It's a true story written in the style of a novel, focusing on a love triangle, of sorts, between famed British artist Alfred Munnings, beautiful and enigmatic Florence Carter-Wood, and Gilbert Evans, a former captain in the British-Boer war. The characters were very well drawn, and I did become engrossed in their story, more than I thought I would at first. In fact, I almost didn't finish (or really even start) the book because the first 20 pages or so described in excruciating detail an ultra-boring speech Munnings made some thirty or forty years after the main story takes place. I finally bypassed that section and skipped forward to the real action, telling myself that if there was anything I needed to know about that speech later on, I could go back to it. There wasn't and I didn't. The story and characters stayed with me long after I finished the book, which is always the sign of a good read.
8 people found this helpful
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Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Summer in February
Reviewed in the United States on January 29, 2013
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I can't wait till the movie comes out sometime this year. The book is beautifully written although it's a tragic love story. Since it is based on the life story of real people, the ending proved to be so tragically unnerving. I cried at the ending of this story more than any other sad story I have read in my life, probably because it is not fiction. I can't imagine what drive people to kill themselves. To think that she once tried before she succeeded in ending her life.
As much as I don't like tear jerker movies, I can't wait to see this one, since Dan Stevens co-produced and starred in this movie.
4 people found this helpful
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Shelvie J. Cole
3.0 out of 5 stars Waiting for Movie
Reviewed in the United States on February 2, 2014
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The book was OK, but I think the movie will be a great deal better. Difficult to get into it at first.
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Fran Jurga
5.0 out of 5 stars Downton Abbey by the Sea with Horses
Reviewed in the United States on January 5, 2013
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I was surprised how much I enjoyed this book. I'm also sorry that so many people online have given away the ending.

Here's part of the review on my blog, of both the film-making and the story:

In 2013, fans of the lavish PBS series Downton Abbey may have to get up from the couch and head to the local cinema to see a new film that combines the glorious fashion and elegance of the pre-World War I years in Britain with an icon of the equestrian world. Mix in the appeal of the actor who plays the romantic Matthew Crawley on the PBS series and you can see why ears are going up around the world.

Dominic Cooper, Dan Stevens (Matthew Crawley on Downton Abbey) and Emily Browning star in the passionate and tragic true story of love among the artists residing in a picturesque fishing village in Cornwall. And the artist isn't just any artist-it's Sir Alfred Munnings, whom many consider the finest painter of horses in history.

The artists have gathered together to paint out in the "plein air" but they seem to spend a lot of time having parties. Munnings has a predilection for reciting poetry, as long as people are listening-who knew?

The film is based on a book by the same name; its author, Jonathan Smith, found the principle character's diary documenting the story; it inspired him to write the book

The film was shot exactly where the story happened, as well as up and down the coast around Penzance, and is now in post-production; it will premiere next year.

Dan Stevens admitted to having to do some remedial equestrian work to prepare for the role, which includes at least one good gallop on the beach.

The Cambridge graduate, who has been in New York this month for a Broadway performance, is no stranger to horses; few people know that he is the narrator of the original audio version of War Horse by Michael Morpurgo. It was shortlisted for "Audiobook of the Year 2010″. He also rode in the BBC's production of Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility in 2007, after which he remarked, "It was brilliant - I wish there were more situations in life where I could pull up on a horse and announce something."

Few stills are available so we don't know if the script called for Emily Browning to actually ride sidesaddle; the real-life Munnings painted her character riding his own horse, Merrilegs, in the famous painting, "The Morning Ride", which graces the cover of the book.

Horses are what Munnings painted, to be sure, but this film will be much more of a love story than a horse story. Maybe horses will be the background, and if they're anything like the ones Munnings painted, they'll be beautiful.

A new copy of Summer in February is hard to find in the USA but you probably have time to order one from a British bookseller between now and Christmas, or you can download the Kindle version. The book will surely be reissued before the premiere but for now all you can find are a few copies of the 1996 edition, both new and used.

A copy of Summer in February would make a great gift for anyone who loves horses, art, Downton Abbey-or all three. Or buy it for yourself-you know you want to. Just don't ever tell anyone how it ends.

See photos at [...]
14 people found this helpful
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Kay
5.0 out of 5 stars An amazing person and painter
Reviewed in the United States on August 3, 2013
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This was a wonderful book and very heartwarming story. I would recommend it to anyone. He was an amazine person, a genius in his own right, and a fabulous painter.
4 people found this helpful
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Appletje
4.0 out of 5 stars well written biography
Reviewed in the United States on June 15, 2013
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The book describes a beautiful setting, interesting characters, and a tragic end. It is hard to put this book down, the words flow easily.
It gives one a revealing inside to the character of Sir Alfred Munnings.
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PA Lady
5.0 out of 5 stars Summer in February.....you will not forget its wonderful characters.
Reviewed in the United States on April 21, 2013
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Touching story of love and regret among a colony of artist in Cornwall prior to World War 1. A sensitive and revealing insight to the feelings of love and devotion for a beautiful visitor to the colony that remain in place for many years. These are characters that stay with you long after you have finished the book.
4 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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Sally M.
4.0 out of 5 stars a novel for artists
Reviewed in Canada on January 8, 2014
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An interesting novel based on real people and events of an artist colony in Cornwall Eng. It has been made into a British film
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Eliza B.
5.0 out of 5 stars Absolut lesenswert!!
Reviewed in Germany on December 10, 2014
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Obwohl das Buch mehrere Jahre umfasst ist es kurz & knackig gehalten. Der Autor hat für jede seiner Personen einen eigenen Sprachduktus entwickelt - einfach genial! Man hat das Gefühl, die Figuren zu sehen, zu hören und ihre Sinneseindrücke zu teilen. Das Gefühl einer sich anbahnende Katastrophe schleicht sich langsam an den Leser heran. Gleichzeitig ist es faszinierend zu sehen, wie anders die Welt zu dieser Zeit noch funktionierte - nicht nur für Fans von Downton Abbey interessant, sondern auch für Impressionismus - Begeisterte!
3 people found this helpful
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Katharine Kirby
5.0 out of 5 stars Letting the light in at last
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 29, 2013
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At this time, reading `Summer in February' is a wrap around reading experience, one that extends horizons, and expertly evokes an important time for artistic development, one that thrillingly that took place really near to us here in the far South West. Then there is the film, soon to be released, with Dan Stevens starring as Captain Gilbert Evans, aka Ev. I've never heard of a gorgeous male romantic lead called `Gilbert' before... To cap it all there is the wonderful exhibition of A.J. Munnings' work and more, pictures by Dame Laura Knight, even Florence Munnings and others, running now until June at the Penlee Gallery, Penzance. This is the kind of education I can happily absorb. No surprise that the author, Jonathan Smith, was an English master at Tonbridge School; I wish he had been my teacher. His understated skill at breathing new life into the past is rare. Nostalgia yes, but also applying a gentle and forgiving eye, never condemning or judging. For twenty first century readers this may all seem quaint and awkward, in those days before the outbreak of the Great War very different standards were expected, in general, although not necessarily by the vibrant, highly individual artists who settled on the cliffs and around the coves past Penzance.

Visiting the exhibition was a truly special trip, after having read the book, and knowing the people so much better; it was a joy to see them in paintings and photographs, as large as life, in some cases! Getting close up to `The Morning Ride' was gave me goose bumps, especially when we heard the huge price it was sold for when it was eventually sold, a most valuable thank you gift from A.J. Munnings, left with Harold Knight, who, in the book as Smith imagines it, from his sick bed instructed the recently returned Gilbert to "Go up into my studio, and you'll find something wrapped up, with your name on it. Next to the clock, you can't miss it." The thank you was for Gilbert's `wise' decision to leave, and I've seen the friendly, civilised letter that Munnings wrote, praising Gilbert for doing so... as well as the most terribly poignant entries made when news reached him of what had happened in Lamorna after his leave taking. What a privilege, kindly offered by Gilbert Evans' son, whose collection really helps to show the way they all lived then.

The tragic story of Florence and her marriage to A. J. Munnings was not spoken of during his lifetime. In the manner of those days, it was discreetly put to one side. Dame Laura Knight, who had a place in her heart for him too, kept up a friendship with the man her husband described as looking like a `bookie', to the last. She knew the whole story. Clues at what is to come are carefully placed, making this all worth a second or further read. So this delightful book, written in a touchingly old fashioned style, even for 1995, with each chapter titled and tidy, is the drawing aside of a long closed curtain.

A wonderful companion to this book is a copy of  A.J. Munnings: An Appreciation of the Artist and a Selection of His Paintings  The many colourful reproductions are bright and clear, they zing off the pages. Stanley Booth has written a short introduction and description of Munnings' career and life, without a mention of Florence!
9 people found this helpful
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Miss Susan Beck
4.0 out of 5 stars Well written, informative, gripping and very sad story.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 25, 2013
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I bought this book because I am interested in Sir Alfred Munnings who painted a picture of the place where I live. I have read the three unabridged volumes of his autobiography. I enjoyed them being a lover of horses, the countryside and paintings. I read on an internet site that he had had a first wife who committed suicide and was curious as Munnings does not mention this in his autobiography.

Because of the publicity re the recent film made from the book Summer in February I was keen to read the book and see the film.

I would recommend this book. I thought it was well written and it is a very gripping story, with the addition of being set in beautiful Cornwall. Unlike some faction novels, I felt that the author stuck to the facts he actually had evidence of and portrayed the characters well, all of whom were real people. In this book you learn about the Lamorna group of artists, partiularly Harold and Laura Knight which I found fascinating. Also many incidents portrayed in the book were also in Munnings' autobiography. Munnings was a hard swearing, hard drinking man who loved to be the centre of attention and entertain his friends with recitals of poetry, including some of his own. He liked painting gypsies and seemed a bit of a gypsy himself, moving around from place to place, often at short notice. However he worked hard at his art, working outdoors in all weathers. Florence remains an enigmatic character and it is difficult to understand why she ever agreed to marry Munnings, let alone went through with it. It is a sad story for all concerned but I still felt a bit of sympathy for Munnings in the situation, although far more for Gilbert Evans. As for Florence, I am not sure if she was a victim or a bit of a minx. Florence's brother asks Evans what he thinks of his sister. He says "extraordinary" and the brother replies "but not extraordinarily odd?".
8 people found this helpful
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ben bone
2.0 out of 5 stars Slow and rather tedious
Reviewed in France on June 17, 2013
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I read this book after seeing review of the film. It,s rather a dull book and nothing in it gave any spark. A bit like reading someone's diary who has nothing to say.
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