Summer Pleasures

Summer Pleasures
By Nora Roberts
0373218397

This was actually two stories in one book. It's funny, on the cover it talks about ONE summer changing two lives. In actuality, the book covers two separate summers. I think it's one year apart, although that's never made totally clear that I could tell. One character ages two years, but maybe there was a birthday in there? Either way, it's not told in one summer. Doesn't really matter, good stories anyway. I just taught about Robert Frank, a photographer who traveled across the country to create his book The Americans, which was originally published in France before finally finding an American publisher. Why do I mention that? Because it appears that Ms. Roberts is up on her art history again, because the second story covers this kind of cross-country project. Franks used 800 rolls of film in his quest to show the true face of America, although he was highly criticized for the picture that appeared- depression, hardship, bleakness. One Summer is a happier story and is a pleasant read. I'm wondering if the character of Shade may be based on what Robert Frank may have been like? Cynical but humorous. Interesting to contemplate. The first story shouldn't be overlooked, as it covers camping, one of my favorite summer past-times! As always, well-written characters and believable situations all around.
8/10