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Marie McNair Alvarez-Calderon
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Summer in February: A Memoir of Lima, Peru and Its Beaches Paperback – December 21, 2009

4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 10 ratings
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This memoir begins on the Texas Gulf Coast and quickly moves to Guadalajara, Mexico. The prologue ends with shattered dreams and life-threatening danger in a Spanish-speaking country.

The body of the book begins fourteen years later, when the author marries into an established Lima family and returns to danger in another Spanish-speaking nation. In those days, Peru is besieged by the "Sendero Luminoso," the Shining Path Maoist terrorists. Everything the author knows for sure comes into question. There is 8,000% annual inflation, an unstable political environment, a stratified culture, different viewpoints on career, religion, and family. There are corporate traumas, a major house fire, kidnapping, death, and a devastating earthquake.

Take an armchair trip to Peru. Feel the chill of terrorism, contrasted with the warmth of an elegant Latin family. Dine on new and delicious food. Bask in the sunshine of private beach communities. Live inside gated walls and guarded compounds. Attend an exclusive wedding in private park. Go where no tour can ever take you. Experience what is like to leave a stable but gray life and enter "el mundo de sol y sombra", the world of shadows and sun.
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  1. Print length
    240 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Quality Insights
  4. Publication date
    December 21, 2009
  5. Dimensions
    6 x 0.55 x 9 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0984392904
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0984392902
  8. See all details
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The Amazon Book Review
The Amazon Book Review
Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Marie Alvarez-Calderon is a citizen of the U.S. and of Peru. She is married to a native of Lima, who she met while working for a Fortune 500 company. They live the life some people dream of, dividing their time between two distinct cultures - worlds apart.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Quality Insights (December 21, 2009)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 240 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0984392904
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0984392902
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 12.6 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 0.55 x 9 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 10 ratings

About the author

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Marie McNair Alvarez-Calderon

Marie McNair Alvarez-Calderon

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Marie Alvarez-Calderon was born in Wahiawa, Oahu, Hawaii, and grew up on the Texas Gulf Coast. In 1987, she married Jaime Alvarez-Calderon, an engineer from Lima, Peru. That year began travels between Texas and Peru -- vacations which turned into a new life, half of which is spent in that country. Marie's first book, "Summer in February: a memoir of Lima, Peru and its beaches," (covering the years 1987-2008) is the first contemporary English-language memoir of family lifestyles on Peru's central coast.

Customer reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars
10 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Marsha W
5.0 out of 5 stars Illuminating
Reviewed in the United States on July 12, 2016
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Reading about the author's change from a gringa to a criolla provided insight into what it's like to live between two cultures and become changed by them. I enjoyed learning about Peruvian life in the city and on the beach, the pedidos, and the on-the-street vendors. The vignette about Tico the dog who was relocated to the US was especially insightful. Overall, a great read and a way to travel to Peru from the comfort of my reading chair.
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Krista
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Memoir
Reviewed in the United States on December 9, 2012
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This is a great memoir which makes the reader understand and appreciate Peruvian society. The author does a wonderful job at describing what life is like in Peru, thus brining it to life for the reader. It is interesting to hear about the contrasts between Peruvian life and that in the US. The book is well written and I definitely would recommend it.
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ACDN85
4.0 out of 5 stars Easy read
Reviewed in the United States on August 15, 2011
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This book is a very nice read. If you are peruvian you will be able to relate to a lot of the story.
One person found this helpful
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N. Carter
5.0 out of 5 stars Like being on a vacation
Reviewed in the United States on May 27, 2010
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Reading this book was like going on a vacation to Peru. The description of the beaches and food alone are enough to make me want to travel to that distant land. Knowing the author for many years made this experience that much better for me.
One person found this helpful
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carlos mayo
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United States on February 6, 2016
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AAA+++
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Cotton100%
5.0 out of 5 stars Insightful Reading
Reviewed in the United States on November 27, 2013
The author has a way of expressing her life experiences cross culturally in a manner that makes the reader reflect upon the ideas that there are many coincidences in life that are truly moments that have deeper meaning. If you stop to ponder true success, it's measured in relationships and family. To keep having faith in your dreams. A truly lovely read.
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Thomas Scardaville
5.0 out of 5 stars Summer in February, a great "read" on many levels
Reviewed in the United States on March 15, 2010
I both laughed and was touched by the deep insights into life Marie McNair Alverez-Calderon provides in her beautiful book on life in Lima, Peru and its beaches. It is not only a great travel adventure illustrating the beauty and blemishes of another place; but it is also a loving tale of the personal growth and spiritual insight gained when one really lets go, and enters deeply into another culture. A must read not only for those interested in Peru; but also for anyone interested in a loving, often funny, often sad, but, always candid account of life's journey and its unfolding possibilities. Once having read it, you will want to give it as a gift to others you care about!
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M. Romedy
4.0 out of 5 stars An Intimate Adventure
Reviewed in the United States on August 18, 2010
I recently finished this engrossing tale of two worlds, the travels of one couple between them, and the personal journey of an adventurous and loving woman. The story is not always a happy one but an honest one. It is a funny and interesting story. It was like being sneaked into Marie's suitcase on an intimate trip to coastal Peru. I enjoyed the history, the family stories, and the descriptions of what must be a very beautiful place.
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