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Fortune's Rocks #4
Body Surfing
At the age of 29, Sydney has already been once divorced and once widowed. Trying to regain her footing once again, she has answered an ad to tutor the teenage daughter of a well-to-do couple as they spend a sultry summer in their oceanfront New Hampshire cottage.
But when the Edwards' two grown sons, Ben and Jeff, arrive at the beach house, Sydney finds herself caught up in a destructive web of old tensions and bitter divisions. As the brothers vie for her affections, the fragile existence Sydney has rebuilt for herself is threatened. With the subtle wit, lyrical language, and brilliant insight into the human heart that has led her to be called "an author at one with her métier ( Miami Herald ), Shreve weaves a novel about marriage, family, and the supreme courage that it takes to love.
But when the Edwards' two grown sons, Ben and Jeff, arrive at the beach house, Sydney finds herself caught up in a destructive web of old tensions and bitter divisions. As the brothers vie for her affections, the fragile existence Sydney has rebuilt for herself is threatened. With the subtle wit, lyrical language, and brilliant insight into the human heart that has led her to be called "an author at one with her métier ( Miami Herald ), Shreve weaves a novel about marriage, family, and the supreme courage that it takes to love.
291 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2007
460 people are currently reading
5069 people want to read
About the author
Anita Shreve
107 books4,557 followersAnita Hale Shreve was an American writer, chiefly known for her novels. One of her first published stories, Past the Island, Drifting (published 1975), was awarded an O. Henry Prize in 1976.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,988 reviews
April 6, 2015
Why do I keep reading Anita Shreve? I can't explain this strange relationship I have with her characters. They are my guilty pleasure. More than the love plots (which usually involve infidelity, hmmm) and more than the character development, or lack of....it's her writing style. I love her cadence, her rythmn, and her emotional connections. One of my favorites is Fortune's Rock, which is a twisted sort of love story. But I couldn't put it down. Maybe because the book was set on the water, which is an immediate draw for me.
Anyway, I will happily keep reading my Shreve books, rating them just 3 stars, asking myself why?, and then rejoicing in the fact that I'm an adult now. I can read what I choose -- and enjoy it without having to analyze it on a term paper!
Anyway, I will happily keep reading my Shreve books, rating them just 3 stars, asking myself why?, and then rejoicing in the fact that I'm an adult now. I can read what I choose -- and enjoy it without having to analyze it on a term paper!
August 13, 2013
Warning! Stay out of the water. It's not safe to go Body Surfing!
I've read several Anita Shreve books (Fortune's Rocks, Pilot's Wife, The Last Time They Met) none of which I call stellar but all much better than this one.
Sydner Sklar finds herself once widowed and once divorced in her late twenties. She drops out of grad school and takes a summer job as a live in tutor for the Edwards family who live on the idyllic New Hampshire shore. (And who live in the same house that pops up in many Shreve books.) While tutoring 18-year old Julie, Sydney aimlessly drifts into the vortex of this dysfunctional family. Right out of Harlequin, she is attracted to both of the older brothers Ben and Jeff, she is shunned by their cold, resentful mother, and she adores the noble father.
Warning. I am about to spoil the plot, if you can actually call it a plot.
Over one fateful night, our heroine ends up in a romance with Jeff which drives a wedge between the brothers. Despite a less than compelling relationship, Sydney and Jeff move in together and get engaged. Eleven months later, Jeff dumps her at the altar when he admits to himself and to her that the reason he is with her is because he didn't want his brother Ben to have her. As it turns out, this isn't the first time Jeff has pulled such a stunt in competition with his brother. Jeff heads off to Africa. Sydney loafs around Boston to recover from the shock. She ends up back at the beach several years later and runs into Ben and they end up body surfing naked at night. How stupid.
Why am I bothering to write so much about a book I disliked so? Good question. I'll eek a few more words on my 3 biggest gripes.
1. The writing style. The first 18 pages is mostly incomplete sentences. I cannot figure out why this writer chose that style. It was hard to immerse myself in the story when it felt like I was skimming along the tops of choppy waves in a high powered speed boat. Not a fun ride.
2. Sydney was milk toast. She was a completely bland character that I didn't understand, like, relate to, or even want to spend time with.
3. Outlandish plot lines - There are great works of fiction with completely implausible plot lines. This is not one of them. She ends up naked on the beach with the brother of the man who left her at the altar. Whatever!
Rating - 1 out of 5 stars. Why did I read past the first chapter?
I've read several Anita Shreve books (Fortune's Rocks, Pilot's Wife, The Last Time They Met) none of which I call stellar but all much better than this one.
Sydner Sklar finds herself once widowed and once divorced in her late twenties. She drops out of grad school and takes a summer job as a live in tutor for the Edwards family who live on the idyllic New Hampshire shore. (And who live in the same house that pops up in many Shreve books.) While tutoring 18-year old Julie, Sydney aimlessly drifts into the vortex of this dysfunctional family. Right out of Harlequin, she is attracted to both of the older brothers Ben and Jeff, she is shunned by their cold, resentful mother, and she adores the noble father.
Warning. I am about to spoil the plot, if you can actually call it a plot.
Over one fateful night, our heroine ends up in a romance with Jeff which drives a wedge between the brothers. Despite a less than compelling relationship, Sydney and Jeff move in together and get engaged. Eleven months later, Jeff dumps her at the altar when he admits to himself and to her that the reason he is with her is because he didn't want his brother Ben to have her. As it turns out, this isn't the first time Jeff has pulled such a stunt in competition with his brother. Jeff heads off to Africa. Sydney loafs around Boston to recover from the shock. She ends up back at the beach several years later and runs into Ben and they end up body surfing naked at night. How stupid.
Why am I bothering to write so much about a book I disliked so? Good question. I'll eek a few more words on my 3 biggest gripes.
1. The writing style. The first 18 pages is mostly incomplete sentences. I cannot figure out why this writer chose that style. It was hard to immerse myself in the story when it felt like I was skimming along the tops of choppy waves in a high powered speed boat. Not a fun ride.
2. Sydney was milk toast. She was a completely bland character that I didn't understand, like, relate to, or even want to spend time with.
3. Outlandish plot lines - There are great works of fiction with completely implausible plot lines. This is not one of them. She ends up naked on the beach with the brother of the man who left her at the altar. Whatever!
Rating - 1 out of 5 stars. Why did I read past the first chapter?
February 27, 2008
I wasn't expecting much from this book, and was pleasantly surprised during the first third. Anita Shreve writes with skill, although I could have done without quite as much description of what people are wearing - especially since they change their clothes at least twice a day. But she captures the scene of a WASPy New England family summering on the coast of New Hampshire perfectly.[return]But by the last third, I started wondering whether she knew quite where she was trying to go with the development of Sydney and the course of her life, and the end felt a bit loose.[return]I often find it difficult to enjoy books that are so focused on the emotions of their characters, because they seem somewhat false to me, but that is one problem I did not encounter here. Shreve nails the emotions in every situation, for every character, and it all feels just right. I didn't love the plot and felt the end was weak, but all the same this was an enjoyable read, and not as light as I had expected.
June 18, 2020
Citind această carte, mi-am dat seama cât de dor îmi este de mare! Este potrivită pentru perioada asta!
"- Fanteziile mărețe pot fi productive uneori, zice Jeff."
"- Ceva neobișnuit în zilele noastre, când un om este măsurat după ceea ce face și cât de mult succes are."
"- Uneori doar privind în retrospectivă îți dai seama ce ai făcut."
"- O reconciliere. Să nu vorbești cu cineva, nu e niciodată ceva bun. Niciodată. Desparte familiile ani de zile. De obicei, se întâmplă din cauza banilor."
"- Fanteziile mărețe pot fi productive uneori, zice Jeff."
"- Ceva neobișnuit în zilele noastre, când un om este măsurat după ceea ce face și cât de mult succes are."
"- Uneori doar privind în retrospectivă îți dai seama ce ai făcut."
"- O reconciliere. Să nu vorbești cu cineva, nu e niciodată ceva bun. Niciodată. Desparte familiile ani de zile. De obicei, se întâmplă din cauza banilor."
January 12, 2020
This was a book club read. While I have read The Pilot’s Wife, years ago, and, as I recall, enjoyed it, I won’t be willingly reading any more Anita Shreve books after this one.
This book was fairly boring to say the least. The characters were shallow and not at all well developed. The plot was thin and equally poorly developed. Most of the main characters were not even very likable.
There was nothing unique about any part of the story. It was like the author started one story line, left it hanging and moved to start another. She was trying to play on the family dynamics as interesting, and while they could have been, she failed to execute that thought.
All in all, rather disappointing. I’m certainly glad the book was not any longer, as I just could not have beared the idea of more of the same “nonsense”.
This book was fairly boring to say the least. The characters were shallow and not at all well developed. The plot was thin and equally poorly developed. Most of the main characters were not even very likable.
There was nothing unique about any part of the story. It was like the author started one story line, left it hanging and moved to start another. She was trying to play on the family dynamics as interesting, and while they could have been, she failed to execute that thought.
All in all, rather disappointing. I’m certainly glad the book was not any longer, as I just could not have beared the idea of more of the same “nonsense”.
May 22, 2019
Anita Shreve is the master of the subtle narrative. In Body Surfing, she gently draws you into the story; before you know it, you are completely engrossed.
Twenty-nine-year-old Sydney is trying to find her way through the turmoil of the past few years. She has been both divorced and widowed, and she doesn’t exactly know what direction her life should take. She has put her graduate studies on hold for the time being and accepted a job as a tutor to Julie Edwards, a gorgeous but academically slow girl whose mother desperately wants her to get into a good college. The summer job is located in a New Hampshire house, right on the beach. (Shreve fans will note that this house has a rich history in her other novels and will appreciate the current “owner’s” research into the house’s illustrious past).
Sydney gets along beautifully with Mr. Edwards, a friendly architect who loves his children and working in his garden. But Mrs. Edwards gives Sydney the cold shoulder, bordering on rude. Everything about Sydney’s life changes when the Edwards’s adult sons, Jeff and Ben, show up for their vacation.
There are enough twists and turns in this book to keep the reader’s interest piqued throughout. Lolita Davidovich gives Sydney a wonderful voice and a poignant air to her emotional journey. Evocative language from Shreve, coupled with Davidovich’s anguished voice, make for a heart-wrenching journey for the reader as well.
Body Surfing is a deeply touching novel, and its themes are not all apparent on the surface. It is once the reader takes time to ponder the novel as a whole that the meanings come to light.
Twenty-nine-year-old Sydney is trying to find her way through the turmoil of the past few years. She has been both divorced and widowed, and she doesn’t exactly know what direction her life should take. She has put her graduate studies on hold for the time being and accepted a job as a tutor to Julie Edwards, a gorgeous but academically slow girl whose mother desperately wants her to get into a good college. The summer job is located in a New Hampshire house, right on the beach. (Shreve fans will note that this house has a rich history in her other novels and will appreciate the current “owner’s” research into the house’s illustrious past).
Sydney gets along beautifully with Mr. Edwards, a friendly architect who loves his children and working in his garden. But Mrs. Edwards gives Sydney the cold shoulder, bordering on rude. Everything about Sydney’s life changes when the Edwards’s adult sons, Jeff and Ben, show up for their vacation.
There are enough twists and turns in this book to keep the reader’s interest piqued throughout. Lolita Davidovich gives Sydney a wonderful voice and a poignant air to her emotional journey. Evocative language from Shreve, coupled with Davidovich’s anguished voice, make for a heart-wrenching journey for the reader as well.
Body Surfing is a deeply touching novel, and its themes are not all apparent on the surface. It is once the reader takes time to ponder the novel as a whole that the meanings come to light.
June 5, 2010
Spoiler alert: I didn't like this book. I didn't care about the characters, which weren't well developed, and the main character keeps making the same mistakes again and again and doesn't seem all that smart. I had to force myself to finish it. The final section seemed to have promise because I expected to see the main character in a good light, but she just went back to where she started.
The passive voice is not avoided by Anita Shreve. I kept getting irritated at that, as well as her continuous descriptions of clothes, jewelry, hair, food, etc. (OK, OK, the wedding dress was salmon colored. You don't have to constantly remind the reader of its color.) At times it felt like she was just trying to fill space.
The book's structure was distracting as well. She put space breaks everywhere, breaking chapters into a zillion little sections, even putting breaks in the middle of scenes and in the middle of dialogue. I didn't understand what she was trying to do with that.
Overall, this felt like a romance novel; it was all about trying to find the right man. The main character even flirted with a man days after her fiance left her at the altar.
The book is a quick read, so I didn't waste much time on it.
The passive voice is not avoided by Anita Shreve. I kept getting irritated at that, as well as her continuous descriptions of clothes, jewelry, hair, food, etc. (OK, OK, the wedding dress was salmon colored. You don't have to constantly remind the reader of its color.) At times it felt like she was just trying to fill space.
The book's structure was distracting as well. She put space breaks everywhere, breaking chapters into a zillion little sections, even putting breaks in the middle of scenes and in the middle of dialogue. I didn't understand what she was trying to do with that.
Overall, this felt like a romance novel; it was all about trying to find the right man. The main character even flirted with a man days after her fiance left her at the altar.
The book is a quick read, so I didn't waste much time on it.
August 31, 2007
Poorly constructed, ridiculous story line and lame ending. Author seemed to make little to no effort...
September 15, 2011
I have been an Anita Shreve fan for several years – well, okay, decades. I read her first novel, Eden Close back in the 70s when it first came out and remember really liking it. Her novel The Pilot’s Wife was an Oprah pick and, thus, huge. But I’m partial to the quieter novels: Where or When, The Last Time They Met.
Body Surfing is the story of Sydney, a once-divorced, once-widowed woman who comes to live on the New Hampshire coast to tutor the beautiful but intellectually challenged Julie, youngest daughter of icy matriarch Mrs. Edwards and kind architect, Mr. Edwards. Her summer at the seashore is disrupted by the arrival of Julie’s older brothers, Ben and Jeff. Soon, Sydney is caught in the undertow of the strange and antagonistic relationship between the brothers.
I found the novel odd and oddly compelling. Shreve unfurls Sydney’s story in short elliptical passages, layering Sydney’s day-to-day routine with memories of her divorce and dead husband. It’s hard to say what she is searching for because most of the time she isn’t even aware of it. Perhaps she is looking for family – but the Edwards' family have issues of their own despite the appearance of perfection. Whatever she is looking for, it is complicated and there aren’t any easy answers.
Shreve is a good writer, but I wouldn’t say that Body Surfing is her best book. Of course, even on a bad day, she’s still a cut above the rest.
Body Surfing is the story of Sydney, a once-divorced, once-widowed woman who comes to live on the New Hampshire coast to tutor the beautiful but intellectually challenged Julie, youngest daughter of icy matriarch Mrs. Edwards and kind architect, Mr. Edwards. Her summer at the seashore is disrupted by the arrival of Julie’s older brothers, Ben and Jeff. Soon, Sydney is caught in the undertow of the strange and antagonistic relationship between the brothers.
I found the novel odd and oddly compelling. Shreve unfurls Sydney’s story in short elliptical passages, layering Sydney’s day-to-day routine with memories of her divorce and dead husband. It’s hard to say what she is searching for because most of the time she isn’t even aware of it. Perhaps she is looking for family – but the Edwards' family have issues of their own despite the appearance of perfection. Whatever she is looking for, it is complicated and there aren’t any easy answers.
Shreve is a good writer, but I wouldn’t say that Body Surfing is her best book. Of course, even on a bad day, she’s still a cut above the rest.
January 2, 2009
After having been greatly disappointed by the last couple of Anita Shreve books I've read, I was relieved that this one didn't irritate me. On the other hand, though, it didn't give me the same pleasure as her earliest books did. But it wasn't bad.
The thing that interested me the most, almost, was figuring out that the beach house in this book is the same one in The Pilot's Wife, Fortune's Rock and Sea Glass. In fact, I think the folks in this story were the owners directly after the pilot's wife. Interesting that she has chosen to have a house as a recurring character. Wonder if it'll appear in another story or not.
The thing that interested me the most, almost, was figuring out that the beach house in this book is the same one in The Pilot's Wife, Fortune's Rock and Sea Glass. In fact, I think the folks in this story were the owners directly after the pilot's wife. Interesting that she has chosen to have a house as a recurring character. Wonder if it'll appear in another story or not.
September 6, 2012
Another stunner by Shreve dealing with raw human emotions and circumstances which make people behave the way they do. My favorite set up - seaside holiday house with lots of people with lots of idle time to ponder upon things and to enter into relationships. The main protagonist, a 29 year old widow is employed by a rich couple to teach their slightly retarded daughter. The book deals mainly with the interactions between the rich family and the 'governess'. I loved the book from cover to cover.
June 19, 2023
Just finished this one. I really like Shreve's writing style. I like the link of body surfing and rolling along in life. We can never be sure exactly what is going on beneath the surface, can we? We trust others and are sometimes deceived. But that doesn't mean we stop trusting anyone ever again, does it? I would hope the best for Sydney after one divorce, one spousal death, and one oops!! All before the age of 30.
June 8, 2023
I read this back in 2018. I am now bringing this review to Goodreads.
This book was recommended to me. So when I saw it as a free book exchange I grabbed it. Sorry I wasted my time.
Storytelling abrupt.
Choppy.
Depressing.
Bland female lead character.
Outlandish plot line.
To be donated at earliest convenience. Maybe next reader might feel differently.
This book was recommended to me. So when I saw it as a free book exchange I grabbed it. Sorry I wasted my time.
Storytelling abrupt.
Choppy.
Depressing.
Bland female lead character.
Outlandish plot line.
To be donated at earliest convenience. Maybe next reader might feel differently.
December 27, 2008
If I could give 2.75 stars...... I'm going to give it 3 because I enjoy her style of writing. The book, well, it wasn't all it was hyped up to be. It kept me turning the pages even though I pretty much knew what was going to happen. My mom told me there were some pretty big twists, all which I predicted (which is disappointing-I love to be surprised!).
She didn't develop the characters as well as I would have liked. Why did Mrs. Edwards hate her so much? You can read into the fact that she and Mr Edwards really grew on each other and had a great relationship, but I would have liked to have seen deeper conversations between the 2 of them-then, how she treated him when she moved on, so frustrating! I get why she moved on, but I was disappointed how she just wrote off the entire family.......
She could have done a much better job with character description-not too much depth. But, over all, a good read over the Christmas season when I have to put down and pick up numerous times throughout a 4 day period! I'm mixed, I like her style of writing, it's so smooth and easy to read, but she needs to give more depth!
I'm going to give The Pilot's Wife a chance.....then, I'll probably move onto another author.
She didn't develop the characters as well as I would have liked. Why did Mrs. Edwards hate her so much? You can read into the fact that she and Mr Edwards really grew on each other and had a great relationship, but I would have liked to have seen deeper conversations between the 2 of them-then, how she treated him when she moved on, so frustrating! I get why she moved on, but I was disappointed how she just wrote off the entire family.......
She could have done a much better job with character description-not too much depth. But, over all, a good read over the Christmas season when I have to put down and pick up numerous times throughout a 4 day period! I'm mixed, I like her style of writing, it's so smooth and easy to read, but she needs to give more depth!
I'm going to give The Pilot's Wife a chance.....then, I'll probably move onto another author.
September 18, 2013
This book is beautifully written. Anita Shreve chooses each word carefully and I was drawn into the world she created in this story.
The novel takes place in an oceanfront cottage in New Hampshire. A well to do family has gathered for their summer vacation and Sydney is hired as a tutor to their 18 year old daughter who has special needs. A love triangle emerges as two older brothers in the family compete for Sydney's love and attention. There are a number of twists and turns in the story which made it interesting to read.
"Body Surfing" will be particularly enjoyed by anyone who loves the beach. The main characters enjoy "body surfing" for enjoyment. The beach is my favorite place to be and it was obvious to me in reading this book that Anita Shreve shares my love for the ocean and the beach. The author describes the beach so well - I felt like I was right there each time I picked up the book.
This book would be a great "beach read" or a good read on a cold day when you long for the beach!
I have enjoyed all the other books I have read by Anita Shreve. I like her style of writing. I have read "Eden Close", "The Pilot's Wife" and "Light on Snow". I look forward to reading another book by this fine author.
The novel takes place in an oceanfront cottage in New Hampshire. A well to do family has gathered for their summer vacation and Sydney is hired as a tutor to their 18 year old daughter who has special needs. A love triangle emerges as two older brothers in the family compete for Sydney's love and attention. There are a number of twists and turns in the story which made it interesting to read.
"Body Surfing" will be particularly enjoyed by anyone who loves the beach. The main characters enjoy "body surfing" for enjoyment. The beach is my favorite place to be and it was obvious to me in reading this book that Anita Shreve shares my love for the ocean and the beach. The author describes the beach so well - I felt like I was right there each time I picked up the book.
This book would be a great "beach read" or a good read on a cold day when you long for the beach!
I have enjoyed all the other books I have read by Anita Shreve. I like her style of writing. I have read "Eden Close", "The Pilot's Wife" and "Light on Snow". I look forward to reading another book by this fine author.
October 20, 2019
3.5/5
For something that cost me £0.50 at the local charity shop, I’m pleasantly surprised. For something with real Marmite reviews here on Goodreads, I’m pleasantly surprised. This is full of twists and turns that keep you on your toes, touches on some tender subjects in such a beautiful manner. Takes a solid 75 pages or so to get moving, but makes you think without even realizing. Not too shabby, friends.
For something that cost me £0.50 at the local charity shop, I’m pleasantly surprised. For something with real Marmite reviews here on Goodreads, I’m pleasantly surprised. This is full of twists and turns that keep you on your toes, touches on some tender subjects in such a beautiful manner. Takes a solid 75 pages or so to get moving, but makes you think without even realizing. Not too shabby, friends.
February 12, 2016
Não foi um livro que me agradasse muito. A história não me desagradou mas não gostei muito da escrita. Apesar do livro ser pequeno e dividido em capítulos curtos, foi um livro que me custou um pouco terminar. Queria saber como terminava e pensei que talvez isso salvasse o livro em si mas foi completamente previsível e sem emoção
June 2, 2024
My second Anita Shreve. Good stuff. Well written with an identifiable lead character.
January 29, 2024
Poor. Didn’t go anywhere or pick up. Such a shame as I’ve loved all of this author’s other books
June 8, 2010
This is the first book I have read by Anita Shreve and I have to say I am very disappointed in this author. Some of the users of shelfari rated Shreve right up there with Jodi Picoult and that is why I borrowed this novel from a friend in the first place. Shreve doesn't compare at ALL to the likes of Picoult!!
First of all ,the writing style in this novel is extremely choppy and distracting. Second, the characters are never fully explained and or developed. I never really felt any emotion from this author. I found it odd that she could be really descriptive about something but never fully explain what was going on. I felt like she was writing an essay and needed to meet a quota of "words used" instead of writing a well thought-out novel. In other words she had this annoying way of describing things using to many words but never really saying what needed to be said. It was tortuous to continue to read this novel but I didn't want to be a quitter so I continued. Don't bother with this book it was a complete waste of time! Not enjoyable at all! I really don't want to give up on this author but I just don't know if I can try again with one of her books!
First of all ,the writing style in this novel is extremely choppy and distracting. Second, the characters are never fully explained and or developed. I never really felt any emotion from this author. I found it odd that she could be really descriptive about something but never fully explain what was going on. I felt like she was writing an essay and needed to meet a quota of "words used" instead of writing a well thought-out novel. In other words she had this annoying way of describing things using to many words but never really saying what needed to be said. It was tortuous to continue to read this novel but I didn't want to be a quitter so I continued. Don't bother with this book it was a complete waste of time! Not enjoyable at all! I really don't want to give up on this author but I just don't know if I can try again with one of her books!
January 24, 2020
I was hoping this book was going to be better. I did not like the writing style - the author seemed to go back and forth between narration and first person. While not unusual, it didn’t feel very smooth to me. There were also many incomplete sentences and I found it ineffective. The central love story was not well developed enough to draw me into the relationship, so when it ended, it had no emotional impact. From the start you could tell there was something going on between the brothers and I found the reasoning, once exposed, to be unconvincing. I finished it, hoping that Ben would win the girl, but only a handful of pages really explored the relationship. Disappointing to say the least. I would say 2.5 stars for this one at best.
May 24, 2016
I really like Anita Shreve and this book is no exception. Her stories are true to life and her characters believable.
June 29, 2019
Weirdly excellent, as Shreve's novels often are.
February 27, 2011
Despite reading criticisms, I still like the stories of Anita Shreve. A more thorough review coming up! Whew! If only I could write book reviews as fast as I can finish reading books.
******************
REVIEW UPDATE:
I have read two of Anita Shreve’s novels, the first one was The Pilot’s Wife, the story of which I can vaguely remember except that the rating I gave it on Goodreads was 4 stars, which means that I might have fairly enjoyed it. Then I keep seeing some of her books on my favorite bookshop, Booksale, and I cannot just resist not buying them. Who can resist low priced books, anyway?
Body Surfing is a story about twenty-nine year old Sydney, a detail that might have partly affected my decision to buy the book because she was my age, plus that it was on sale at the National Bookstore for only Php 50!
The story spans for three years – from 2002 up to 2005 – and it is during these years that Sydney finds herself in a roller coaster of emotions and existence brought about by loving and caring. Anita Shreve captures every emotion accurately except that I find Sydney’s grief to be a little bit unconvincing. Or maybe it is just Shreve’s way of leaving the thinking to her readers?
Body Surfing is not an excellent read, but not entirely a bad read, either. It’s good company at airports and ferries, not so heavy on the brain cells and not so dense to be altogether boring and uninteresting. The writing is fluid and the style is easy and uncomplicated. The plots are not necessarily original but altogether interesting and captivating. The characters are readable and possessed just the right amount of mystery to make the story not too predictable. It contains enough pace to excite the reader towards the twist and the ending without necessarily making the reader skip some pages.
For my complete review, please visit It's A Wonderful Bookworld.
******************
REVIEW UPDATE:
I have read two of Anita Shreve’s novels, the first one was The Pilot’s Wife, the story of which I can vaguely remember except that the rating I gave it on Goodreads was 4 stars, which means that I might have fairly enjoyed it. Then I keep seeing some of her books on my favorite bookshop, Booksale, and I cannot just resist not buying them. Who can resist low priced books, anyway?
Body Surfing is a story about twenty-nine year old Sydney, a detail that might have partly affected my decision to buy the book because she was my age, plus that it was on sale at the National Bookstore for only Php 50!
The story spans for three years – from 2002 up to 2005 – and it is during these years that Sydney finds herself in a roller coaster of emotions and existence brought about by loving and caring. Anita Shreve captures every emotion accurately except that I find Sydney’s grief to be a little bit unconvincing. Or maybe it is just Shreve’s way of leaving the thinking to her readers?
Body Surfing is not an excellent read, but not entirely a bad read, either. It’s good company at airports and ferries, not so heavy on the brain cells and not so dense to be altogether boring and uninteresting. The writing is fluid and the style is easy and uncomplicated. The plots are not necessarily original but altogether interesting and captivating. The characters are readable and possessed just the right amount of mystery to make the story not too predictable. It contains enough pace to excite the reader towards the twist and the ending without necessarily making the reader skip some pages.
For my complete review, please visit It's A Wonderful Bookworld.
January 30, 2009
The setting is a beach house in New Hampshire, the summer home of the Edwards family. Sydney is hired to be the tutor for their "slow" daughter, Julie, while Mr. Edwards is an architect who enjoys his rose garden and collects historical documents on the house they're living in. It is the same house that was featured in several other Shreve novels, like "The Pilot's Wife". Mrs. Edwards strikes me as a snob and a bit of a racist with her remarks about Sydney being half-Jewish. The brothers, Ben and Jeff, who arrive a little later in the novel are the catalysts to a big change in Sydney's life.
Sydney is 29, divorced once and widowed once. She is floating through life, not sure what to do or where to go. She accepts the job as a tutor for the summer and builds a good relationship with Julie even discovering her artistic flair. In the midst of this summer she falls for one of the brother's and a relationship begins, rather suddenly.
The whole story is based on this relationship and its outcome.
I enjoyed the clean writing and the lack of overdescriptive paragraphs that tend to drive me crazy in some novels. I like to be able to picture the characters in my own way. Having said that, I would have liked a little more background or information on some of the characters, most notably the two brothers. I think we could have used a bit more fleshing out of their characters. I still do not completely understand why Jeff acted the way he did. There are so many internal struggles going on with this family that each character is a story unto themselves. Also, I had hoped for more of an ending but I guess I will have to make some assumptions as to Sydney's future life.
Overall, an easy read that kept me hooked.
Sydney is 29, divorced once and widowed once. She is floating through life, not sure what to do or where to go. She accepts the job as a tutor for the summer and builds a good relationship with Julie even discovering her artistic flair. In the midst of this summer she falls for one of the brother's and a relationship begins, rather suddenly.
The whole story is based on this relationship and its outcome.
I enjoyed the clean writing and the lack of overdescriptive paragraphs that tend to drive me crazy in some novels. I like to be able to picture the characters in my own way. Having said that, I would have liked a little more background or information on some of the characters, most notably the two brothers. I think we could have used a bit more fleshing out of their characters. I still do not completely understand why Jeff acted the way he did. There are so many internal struggles going on with this family that each character is a story unto themselves. Also, I had hoped for more of an ending but I guess I will have to make some assumptions as to Sydney's future life.
Overall, an easy read that kept me hooked.
January 1, 2016
Two stars sums it up - it was OK, that's it. I needed to read something without violence and that I wouldn't get too gripped by as I have too much else to do (didn't really work, actually, but maybe I got more sleep since it's easy to put down.) This was on the book-club pile and looked short so it seemed a good option, although the friend that passed it on was rather "meh" about it so I should've known.
Sydney is working as a tutor for the daughter of a moderately wealthy family at their summer house by the sea in New England. The mother is a repressed bitch who dislikes her for no good reason, except perhaps her part-jewishness. She gets on well with the father, then falls for one of the sons when they come to visit. I can't say much else without spoiling it. There's a slow dreamy style to the narrative which is appealing, but the plot is uninteresting and the end unsatisfying. Not my sort of book.
Sydney is working as a tutor for the daughter of a moderately wealthy family at their summer house by the sea in New England. The mother is a repressed bitch who dislikes her for no good reason, except perhaps her part-jewishness. She gets on well with the father, then falls for one of the sons when they come to visit. I can't say much else without spoiling it. There's a slow dreamy style to the narrative which is appealing, but the plot is uninteresting and the end unsatisfying. Not my sort of book.
November 17, 2017
Not quite finished the book yet but lemme tell you. I am SO FINISHED with this book.It's all droning aimless CHICK LIT.The woman, Sydney- gloms onto one husband after the other.That's it. That's what happens-that's your story-and everyone eats a lot of lobster.There's your book
I wish with everything in me that Madame Curie had written a novel -or Amelia Earhart-or even bloody Margaret Thatcher.These women accomplished something.They didn't spend their days and nights worrying about the men in their life.THERE is MORE to life than catching a good man.There is more to life than catching a bad man.There is more to life then this waste of time drivel.Take it for me.Or don't. JM
I wish with everything in me that Madame Curie had written a novel -or Amelia Earhart-or even bloody Margaret Thatcher.These women accomplished something.They didn't spend their days and nights worrying about the men in their life.THERE is MORE to life than catching a good man.There is more to life than catching a bad man.There is more to life then this waste of time drivel.Take it for me.Or don't. JM
March 31, 2019
rating: 3.5
At first, this seemed like it merited a rating of 2.5 or 3, but by the end, it was up to a 3.5 or 4.
Reminiscent of Her Sister's Shadow by Katharine Britton, except this was about brothers, and the point-of-view is provided by someone who isn't a member of the family.
Shreve sets this story in the same house she created for Pilot's Wife, but there's no connection with the characters from that novel.
At first, this seemed like it merited a rating of 2.5 or 3, but by the end, it was up to a 3.5 or 4.
Reminiscent of Her Sister's Shadow by Katharine Britton, except this was about brothers, and the point-of-view is provided by someone who isn't a member of the family.
Shreve sets this story in the same house she created for Pilot's Wife, but there's no connection with the characters from that novel.
September 5, 2025
This book was...interesting. Unexpected, I guess, which I like, so have to bump up the rating. However, I didn't know it was the 4th book in a series until halfway through and saw a review recommending the first, so I will go read the first one and see if I care about the characters more...
September 13, 2021
Mind candy. 29 year old once divorced, once widowed woman is starting over as a tutor for the teen aged daughter of a wealthy family. She gets involved with one of the older sons, is disliked by the mom, liked in a good way by the dad , finds a way to help the daughter and ultimately rips the family apart.
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