A thousand summers

by Garson Kanin

Book by Kanin, Garson

Genres: Fiction

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1974

About the author

Garson Kanin was an American actor, director and writer, working both on stage and screen. He was married to Ruth Gordon, with whom he wrote several screenplays.

Reviews

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this contemporary love story and I'm surprised other people didn't rate it higher.

[Caren Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Still loved it. I think it's completely unexpected and charming.

[Dottie Zygadlo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book grabbed my attention from the very beginning to the end. There is a quote in the front of the book that says it all: Upon those who love, ungenerous time bestows a thousand summers.

[Regina Esarco · Rating 5 out of 5]

. Beautiful and unexpected.

[Grandma Weaver · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book many years ago and thought of it and looked and found it used on Amazon. I think I liked it more the first time but I enjoyed it again. It's the story of two people who are both married to other people, meet, fall in love and continue the romance thru decades, WW2 and other situations. It was hard to believe you could keep this going with so many roadblocks in the way. It did end in a realistic way and it was sad but also a triumph because they did love each other to the end and beyond. I'm glad I read it again and would recommend it if you're in the mood for romance seventies style.

[Philip · Rating 2 out of 5]

First read this back when it was originally published. I knew then, of course, that it's springboard was the relationship between screen legends Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn, which Kanin had already covered in TRACY AND HEPBURN (much to Hepburn's dismay - she un-friended Kanin for years thereafter).

What I didn't know back then was that Kanin stole the chance meeting between his lovers from the 1945 film BRIEF ENCOUNTER! Be interesting to know if this was commented upon at the time.

Anyway, it's not really much of a book, more of an outline for a longer novel which, considering how this one plays out, is a good thing we didn't get.

[John L · Rating 2 out of 5]

The first half is a rich, inspiring love story. The second is almost unrelentingly depressing with the interminable trial, his masochistic insistence on punishing himself, the trips to Japan which both end badly, and his decline into senility. By the end I had forgotten all the passion and joy in their relationship and HATED this book! And I see very few parallels between this story and the Tracy/Hepburn relationship.

[erocchio · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely story of life. Ups and downs but told simply and touchingly. Freeman is a wonderful character! I enjoyed traveling through his life with him.

[Elanorel_Kroos · Rating 3 out of 5]

Actually I don't think it's based on the relationship between Tracy and hepburn. It's sad story.

[TheOldBookLady · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF after one page. Utter garbage, this was not a love story but a lust story.

[Brandi · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was recommended by a friend and, out of mere curiosity, I took upon reading it. Quite a change for me, and although I rather enjoyed it, it was one of those books that almost left me in a rather saddened mood. It's a story of life. How as an adult in your 30's you live with the future as a mere speck of time that is so far in the distance you needn't worry with it. And before you know it, all the plans you made and ideas you had have yet to come to fruition and you're out of time.

I enjoyed this book as a reminder to live life, not be only a spectator. I disliked this book as a reminder that life is short and one day, like it or not, I will be the spectator.

The writing was good. The characters well developed. Quick read.

[Frena CT · Rating 3 out of 5]

A down-to-earth story of infidelity. The story goes in a totally opposite route to that taken in Anna Karenina. Freeman and Sheila are madly in love in the most inopportune of time. But they didn't let the haze of it all get the best of them. They kept sane and tried to prevent making a mess of their relations. Come to think of it, THAT makes this story somehow unrealistic.. after all, we tend to be irrational when in love. But then again, their's is just one of the many kinds of love. A rare kind of love, too novelistic perhaps. But it is what it is, love.

[Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A story of life - Some parts are good, others are bad. Some might be frowned upon but it is still life. Very sweet.

[Cathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

More to follow, but one of my favorite books

[Martha · Rating 4 out of 5]

enjoyed this 20 year love affair ...read at chestnut lake, thousand trails in port republic, new jersey

[Diane Wachter · Rating 3 out of 5]

RDC-M V 5 1973, 3/74. A chance encounter leads to romance over decades and distance. Good.