Summers: A True Love Story

by Margot Peters

In 1948 a sixteen-year-old boy and girl meet briefly, but fatally, on a beach. The boy is so stricken by the girl that he writes her, begging her to answer. What harm can come from writing letters?" he asks.



The girl replies.



SUMMERS is the story of this boy and girl, based entirely on their letters, which span the years 1948 to 1961. These letters are often funny, sometimes sad, often frustrated and angry. Underneath they are always tender and longing. Finally they are loving.



If bitter-sweet love is your read on...

230 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 12, 2011

Reviews

[Carol]

This book, which tells a love story through letters written in the 1950s, is a "nonfiction novel." The author admits to being the letter-writer known as Jennie in the book, and has edited the letters (not sure how she got hers back from "Rob") to create Summers. As with many books based on real life, it is a bit unsatisfying, because it doesn't tie up loose ends neatly and logically. I enjoyed the back and forth of the letters, however, and the relationship between the two young people seems touching and honest. I would have enjoyed hearing Jim Fleming and Susan Sweeney read it on Wisconsin Public Radio.