The First Warm Evening of the Year

by Jamie M. Saul

Following his extraordinary debut novel, Light of Day (“An exhilarating emotional roller-coaster ride” — Washington Post ), author Jamie Saul now explores the intricate relationships between friends and siblings, husbands and wives. The First Warm Evening of the Year is a breathtakingly beautiful, wonderfully resonant, and gorgeously evocative story that demonstrates how true love can be discovered in the most unexpected places. Finely wrought, character-driven literary fiction that packs an emotional wallop, Saul’s The First Warm Evening of the Year is for anyone who has ever been powerfully affected by a novel by Chris Bohjalian, Joyce Maynard, or Scott Spencer…and for everyone who adores getting lost in a great story.

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary, Romance, Relationships, Adult

304 pages, Hardcover

First published April 24, 2012

About the author

I was born and raised in the Bronx, New York, attended public school there, and graduated from DeWitt Clinton High School, an all-boys school, at the time, with renowned alumni that includes Richard Avedon, the great photographer; novelist James Baldwin; playwrights and screenwriters Paddy Chayefsky and Neil Simon; and several famous actors, film directors, and athletes. I received my bachelors degree in English from Indiana State University in Terre Haute, Indiana.

For most my life, all I wanted to do, which is to say the only thing I wanted to be, was a writer, and all my energies were directed toward that goal. Most everything else about me that is pertinent can be found in the P.S. material at the back of the Harper Perennial edition of my novel Light of Day. I can add that my life has been and still is fairly unremarkable. I have very little in common with the characters of Light of Day. I don't have any children. I have never been divorced nor abandoned by a wife, and except for being a guest professor at Yale, I've never held a position with a college or university. I will say that I have a dislike of facile thinking; one's mind should always stay open and remain keen to change and new ideas. To quote e.e. cummings "…even if it's Sunday, may i be wrong."

I have a deep love for baseball, and enjoy American and foreign films. This interest in film began the first time I saw Les Parapluies de Cherbourg (The Umbrellas of Cherbourg) a dazzling film directed by Jacque Demy, with music by Michel Legrand, and starring a young Catherine Deneuve. Since then, I have discovered and enjoyed the works of some of the great filmmakers, including Jean-Luc Goddard, Francois Truffaut, Alain Resnais, Federico Fellini, Roman Polanksi, Ingmar Bergman, Billy Wilder, Alan Rudolph (get your hands on The Moderns for a visual treat), the Coen Brothers, and who am I leaving out? Stanley Kubrick, Bernardo Bertolucci, Roberto Rossellini, Luchino Visconti, Akira Kurosawa, Woody Allen, Martin Scorcese…

My interest in art and artists also began around the time I discovered foreign cinema, and the artists I admire are also mentioned in my P.S. material, but I will add that along with Paul Cézanne, I consider Marcel Duchamp among the most important artists and thinkers of the modern era.

Reviews

[Marcia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Actual Rating: **1/2

I really wanted to like this book; after all, my favorite cover icon (an Adirondack chair) is right there…on a dock…at sunset. However, I just couldn't warm up to this cast of self-absorbed characters and all of their various past loves and past lives.

There were two quote snippets that summed things up for me. The first, "Oh well, what's the point of having a heart, if you're not going to use it?," made me wonder why these characters were always mistaking their heads for their hearts. The second (found very near the end of the book), "I wish we stopped turning everything we say inside out...Turning each other inside out," made me wonder why one of them hadn't thought of this sooner.

There were small, setting-related details of the story that I found very touching; but overall, this book fell a little short of hitting my reading bliss spot.

Note: I received my copy of The First Warm Evening of the Year via the First Impressions program at bookbrowse.com.

[Kathleen (Kat) Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Looking at the cover of this book, almost beckons the reader to open it's cover and discover a wonderful story inside. However, for me this wasn't the case. It's unusual after having read so many books during the last three years to find one you can't quite connect with but can't really explain why. This is one of those for me, however it may not be for you. This is a novel about two characters drawn together by an unusual set of circumstances.

Geoffrey Tremont, currently living among the busy life in New York among his sophisticated friends, and a bit too organized for me as a man in a relationship with Rita, whom he claims he loves but doesn't really think about her much when they are apart. Does that mean they aren't really in love or simply not right for each other. It seems they are both very content with their individual lives but have issues when it comes to compromising ways that they would each have to give things up if they were to be successful at their relationship.

Geoffrey gets a break from this relationship when he is called as an executor of an old friends will. This shows the reader throughout the book, how the impact we make in relationships we get involved with will and can have lasting results in those people's lives, something we should consider with everyone we meet. Laura Welles was someone from Geoffrey's past, two years ago, from college who asks him to deal with her estate and to send the funds to the music program at the college she attended.

This brings Geoffrey into contact with the only remaining relative of Laura's, her brother Simon. Together the two of them work together to try and make sense of their lives at this point and to find a way to sell Laura's home in Shady Grove. When they both arrive, Geoffrey encounters his possible soul mate, who is also grieving a recent loss, Marian Ballantine, who seems to know Geoffrey based on the conversations she used to have with Laura. Geoffrey seems convinced that Marian can change him in ways that he wasn't willing to compromise with Rita over. However Geoffrey will soon learn that the situations that Marian has gone through in life will also make her a victim of circumstance and has changed her in ways she may not be willing to give up. It's those qualities that have enabled her to survive up to this point.

Will they both be able to find a way to get past the barriers they both have put in place based on the circumstances life has dealt them or will they come to realize that some people will never possess the ability to change, even if something good comes into their life they've been waiting their whole life for?

You'll need to read, The First Warm Evening of the Year by Jamie M. Saul to find out what happens. I received this novel compliments of William Morrow, a division of Harper Collins Publishers for my honest review and I have to say I'd rate this one a 3 out of 5 stars. I just could not connect to the characters well enough to truly care about what happens to them. Perhaps its because they were too set in their ways or just had to many issues to deal with in life, that they were content to be who they were. It just didn't resonate with me, even though the writing is well thought out and the premise sounding interesting as well as the cover draws you in. I know others might be drawn to this story but it just didn't work for me.

[Ann · Rating 2 out of 5]

A colossal bore. Lots and lots of pages all about whether one relationship would materialize or not. Did not really care. Another thing that irked me was how much of the dialog involved questions. Is that what you think this review is? Are you reading this book because you "have to"?

[Dan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Geoffrey Tremont is a bachelor living in New York City when he is asked to be the executor for the estate of an old college friend, Laura Wells. He hasn’t seen her in twenty years and was unaware that she was living back in her home town in upstate New York. When he goes to Shady Grove, he immediately becomes infatuated with Laura’s best friend Marian. Although both are dating others, their lives are forever connected. The story begins with the meeting of Geoffrey and Marian and we quickly learns of his infatuation. What unfolds is the circumstances of their meeting, their background stories and Geoffrey’s obsession with Marian. The characters are well developed and the novel is filled with emotion, confusion and some thought provoking ideas. Not that I was expecting more action, but I was confused as to what the plot was. I could have stopped reading at any time and felt I wasn’t missing much.

[Elaine · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found it rather tedious but at the same time I couldn't stop reading it. Ultimately for all the inner examinations from each of the characters I didn't feel the reader could understand or empathize much with any of them.

[Karin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Slow, plodding novel about love and grief. I didn't get the feeling that Geoffrey, the main character, was an actual person, he felt more like an omnipotent narrator to me.

[Virginia Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now that I have read and thoroughly enjoyed "The First Warm Evening of the Year", by author Jamie M. Saul, the thoughtfulness of the work is gently nudging my philosophical side. I have passed the half-century mark, and in spite of myself, I've learned a few things along the way. The friendships that we form in our youth have a profound effect on the person we become in our later years. They shape and mold us more than we realize, even if we allow the connection to become hazy through time and distance. Grief and depression are deeply personal processes, and each of us deserves the time and space to suffer and heal in our own way. If you don't understand what someone is going through, be supportive and respectful. We all find ways to cope and compartmentalize--some seemingly more successful than others at squeezing the lemonade out of those lemons. Most important of all, we never become too old to love and be loved in return. Love brings light to dark corners, sunshine to cloudy days, and a joyful heart when least expected. It gives hope when all hope was thought to be lost. People who love and are loved in return live longer, smile more often, and generally make the world a better place. "The First Warm Evening of the Year" brings together two people connected by a mutual loss, and we are privy to their conversations and reflections as they each experience a catharsis of the heart. Geoffrey Tremont has carved out an enviable existence in New York City as a successful voice-over artist. He has remarkable personal freedom, yet he feels the pricklings of an unknown unease. His lifestyle has lost some of its luster. An unexpected contact due to the death of an old friend pries him loose from his safety net and sends him on a journey to a small town in New York State. He hasn't seen his best friend from college, Laura Wells, in over twenty years, and he is stunned to learn that she named him as executor of her estate. Upon arriving in Shady Grove, where Laura made her home, Geoffrey meets her best friend, Marian Ballantine, and his life is forever changed. Marian and Laura were both widowed at too young an age, and their tragic losses bound them in friendship. Learning about Laura's life and remembering his own friendship with her enriches Geoffrey's perceptions of his existence in ways he never expected. In the beat of a heart, Geoffrey falls for Marian in a big way, and watching his personal growth and journey of self-discovery is a highlight of the story line. Marian is also greatly affected by Geoffrey, but she is holding on to the comforting illusion of her memories. It sometimes takes a great leap of faith to reach out for love and happiness, but what awaits on the other side makes the leap an exhilarating risk that offers the rewards of a lifetime. Read this lovely story for yourself, and then, let's talk.

Review Copy Gratis Amazon Vine

[Tonya · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW! First of all, I love this cover. I would love to read there!

So I had really high hopes for this book and I wasn't disappointed. The imagery in this book is so vivid and just amazing, words were just penned so wonderfully you could feel each one, and I re-read some, just because they were so beautiful. Not very often an author like this comes along, especially a man!

Further, I loved all of the characters. Laura has passed away and left her good friend from college, Geoffrey, executor of her estate and belongings.

As Geoffrey gets to know others that were in Laura's life, such as her messed up brother and her friend Marian, he learns a lot about Laura, friendships and family bonds and greatest about love.

I adored this story and I hope Mr. Saul won't be a stranger to the literary world!

[Shylashree Chikkamuniyappa · Rating 1 out of 5]

Boring and predictable story.
The two main characters Geoffrey Tremont (Laura's musician college friend and now executor of her estate) and Marian Ballantine (Laura's best friend in Shady Grove, widowed but in a realtionship with Eliot Wooten) are drawn together by an unusual set of circumstances. Simon, Laura's brother, Dr Alex, Geoffrey's brother and Rita, Geoffrey's NY girl friend are thrown in to.

I just could not connect to the characters well enough to truly care about what happens to them nor could I understand Geoffrey's love for Marian. Finally, they do unite, so it's a happy ending/begining.

[Noreen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Perhaps I was expecting too much of this book. I loved Jamie Saul's first book, Light of Day and just found this book disappointing. I thought the main character was pompous and self-absorbed and truly didn't find anything in their first meeting that would justify the love at first sight storyline. I do like his writing style and the different male perspective.

[Irene · Rating 1 out of 5]

I must come clean and admit I didn't finish this book. It was just too bad to finish. The sentence structure made the book very difficult to read and the subject matter was beyond boring. A man trying to describe the feelings of other men??? Do yourself a favour and pass this one by.

[Katharine Holden · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some of the dialogue is not believable.

[Elise · Rating 1 out of 5]

So boring! I couldn't even finish it. The cover is beautiful but I couldn't connect with the story or characters at all.

[Mia · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is an odd book in which characters seem to inhabit a different world from you and me. It is written in the style of an old-fashioned stilted romance although the main character lives in contemporary New York City. When he meets a woman who knew his recently deceased friend and she begins to weep, he gives her a “respectable handkerchief”. And when she washes, irons and mails back to him, he brings it to his face in order to “smell the scent of her laundry soap”. Who talks like that? These odd, old-fashioned ways of speaking are consistent throughout this dreary novel, in which boring, elliptical conversations that never reach any conclusions or decisions are separated by equally boring periods of introspection that never resolves any issue.

All of the three main characters in this love triangle which is really a square, since the woman’s dead husband is an important part of the story, speak in the same way. If the dead guy were alive, he probably would also. It is tempting to mock this book. As it is, the dead man is the most interesting character in the book.

[Diane · Rating 2 out of 5]

I did not like this book. I did not care for the writing, and I was not interested in the characters. There are two young widows that should have been of interest (since I am an old widow). One has recently died, but both were widows about 10 years- almost twice as long as their marriages. Early in the book (p. 68) Marian, the still living widow, says, “I prefer missing him to being with anyone else.” That made me think about my situation and made me interested enough to continue reading. I have been a widow for nearly 5 years, but was married for 37 years and we have 7 children (from our previous marriages) with whom I am quite close, and lots of grandchildren and great grandchildren. Her statement somewhat reflects how I have been feeling so I was interested in how she might change her approach to life. Didn’t work. I liked Marian less and less. I am not sure how this book even got on my list

[Emilie · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was a frustrating read. It felt like the author wanted to be the next Nicholas Sparks but failed horribly. It's all about a man who meets a widower who's in a relationship (for the past ten years) and instantly falls in love with her, dumps his current girlfriend, and pursues this new woman even when she tells him repeatedly to leave her alone. But magically she sees the light and dumps her boyfriend to be with this new man she just met and they jet off together on a trip and sell both their homes and businesses. All in the span of six days. Don't waste your time with this one (even though the cover is very convincing!).

[John Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Writing

The other old Marines I have coffee with every week would call this a "chick book", but I enjoyed the change of pace from my usual fare and relished the literary flow of it. One comes to cares about the characters while appreciating the elevated quality of writing. The people in this story are true to their established emotional make up and their decisions and actions reflect this. This story portrays how a juxtaposition of events and time can create a once-in-a-lifetime chance to do the right thing.

[Jeanette · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not really sure what to date this book. Probably 3.5. It started out intriguing with Geoffrey getting a note from the lawyer finding out he was named executor of his college friends will. It turned into a lot of emotional dialogue, and yet I had to keep reading to find out where it all lead. Still not sure how I feel about this book that constantly asked "how do you feel about this?" ! !!!!

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a romance novel set in New York that looked promising. But after a few pages, it quickly became mentally exhausting to read.
I think the author is really talented. There are some great physical descriptions and metaphors that he explains after the ending.
It is so character driven, that it was lacking in plot for me. Many times the dialogue became cumbersome. Still, it was compelling enough to stick with it and find out what happened at the end.

[Kimberlee · Rating 1 out of 5]

I read less than 100 pages when I realized I hated the pretentious dude at the heart of the story. He was creepy and self-involved and I kept hoping some horrible fate would befall him but no such luck. So I put the book down. One has so little time on this Earth, and there are so many great books to read. But this is not one of them.

[Bill Libby · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the writing and story from beginning to end. I loved that honesty and openness of the main characters (Geoffrey and Marian), which presented for me an opportunity to think about life, relationships, and really being honest with myself about what’s driving.
This is a peaceful love exploration.

[Ginny Hudson · Rating 5 out of 5]

So nice

Such a heart warming story. I just loved it. I may even read it again. No love is easy ever.

[Mindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little too slow moving for me ...

[Joann Revak · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was so ready to get into this book. Kudos to the cover designer. After the first few chapters, I felt the drag. Lots of words going nowhere. Just not for me.

[Diane Cordell · Rating 1 out of 5]

Did not like this book. The main characters were so busy analyzing life that they did not live it. I only finished by skimming through. Too much talk!!!!

[Sadie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Didn't hate it didn't love it

[Veronica Redmond · Rating 1 out of 5]

Very boring. Had a lot of repetition of this is love, this is not love, I want to be in love, etc. Didn't feel like an engaging plot.

[Mandi Ragan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book wore me out. I wanted it to be amazing.

[Teri Turcotte · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was slow and loaded with "telling."

[Kathleen Payne · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book didn't live up to the lovely cover of the book, a wooden canoe, lovely Adirondack chair with a misty view of the water. Well... that was as good as it got. The characters spent more time with analytical thinking of what they thought the other was thinking and not using their hearts. I plowed through the book and hoping it would improve? I can't say that it did and it is a book I will quickly forget that I even read it, so thus this review, so that I don't pick it up again!