The Summer After June: A Critically Acclaimed Literary Novel of Family Secrets, Murder, and One Southern Summer

by Ashley Warlick

Ashley Warlick's critically acclaimed second novel, THE SUMMER AFTER JUNE, weaves a spellbinding tale of family and flight over the course of one feverish southern summer. Lindy Jain, a young, pragmatic, willful woman, is about to be married when her beloved sister June is mysteriously murdered. Lindy Jain then makes a desperate decision, fleeing her hometown of Charlotte -- her job, her fiance, her shattered family. She lights out for the heat of the Texas coast with the one thing that still ties her to her June's baby son.
Suspenseful and sensuous, utterly compelling, THE SUMMER AFTER JUNE surpasses the enormous promise of Warlick's prizewinning first novel. "Ashley Warlick is wise beyond her years and gifted by a graceful insight not only into humanity's fears and foibles but also into its capacity to evolve, to be redeemed" (Oxford American).

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary

272 pages, Paperback

First published January 4, 2000

About the author

Ashley Warlick is the author of four novels. The recipient of an NEA Fellowship and the Houghton Mifflin Literary Fellowship, her work has appeared in The Oxford American, McSweeney’s, Redbook, and Garden and Gun, among others. She teaches fiction in the MFA program at Queens University in Charlotte, North Carolina, and is the editor of the South Carolina food magazine edibleUpcountry. Warlick is also the buyer at M. Judson, Booksellers and Storytellers in Greenville, SC, where she lives with her family.

Reviews

[Tina Keller · Rating 5 out of 5]

It took a bit to adjust to Ashley's poetic writing style. Once I did this book unfolding into a beautiful story of unconditional love, forgiveness, and the personal struggles one faces in the time of deep grief. Her description and detail of each character allow one to connect with them on a personal level. My only complaint; I was sad when the book ended because I did get so attached to the characters and their stories.

[Morgen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A woman copes with grief after her sister's murder by taking her infant nephew and disappearing to the place of their childhood summers. Good storytelling and sympathetic characters & situation

[Rachel · Rating 1 out of 5]

boring

[Tania · Rating 1 out of 5]

I hate this book with all my heart, but not because of that you should hate it too. I find this book really long and some parts even unnecessarily, the female character was so plain and really silly at sometimes but mostly selfish, she drag his nephew with her and all those around her that try to help. Maybe this book has a deep meaning that a much older person than me could understand but for now I didn't find it so maybe in 10 years I would re-read it and change my opinion about it, so wait my review in 2025 xD.

[Sandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a touching story about a young woman's journey in dealing with the murder of her older sister. She makes a significant decision of where to go and what to do, and you slowly travel with her as she makes her way. I recommend it, it's not a long read, and it is packed with heartfelt emotions and family relationships.

[Tommy]

advanced reading copy

[R Nagasawa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Full of grief but so interestingly written...

[Marguerite Hargreaves · Rating 4 out of 5]

Found this at the library, and had a hard time putting it down. I went back for Warlick's first novel, and was disappointed.

[Lisa King · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely and lyrical. It held me dear.

[Wphorse · Rating 2 out of 5]

this was not as good as her first novel "Distance from the heart of things." It was too ... disconcerting.

[Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a sad little tale with wonderful imagery.I swear I could smell the sea air and the gardens as I read this. I want to go to Galveston!