The Thieves of Summer

by Linda Sillitoe

Set in Salt Lake City at the height of the Great Depression, Linda Sillitoe’s last novel opens with three little girls, eleven-year-old triplets, skipping in front of their house at 1300 South, across from Liberty Park. They giggle lightly as they  

Prin-cess Al-ice in Liberty Park
Munch-es ba-nan-as ’til way after dark.

Princess Alice is an elephant the children of Utah purchased by donating nickels and dimes to a circus. The girls don’t know this, but her handler takes the mammoth princess out on late-night strolls around the park when the moon is out. What they do know is that the elephant sometimes escapes and goes on a rampage, crashing through front-yard fences and collecting collars of clothesline laundry around her neck, a persistent train of barking dogs following behind. The girls’ father is a police officer who is investigating a boy’s disappearance. As the case unfolds, the perception of the park, with its eighty acres of trees and grass, will change from the epitome of freedom to a place to be avoided, even as Princess Alice moves to a secure confinement at a new zoo at the mouth of Emigration Canyon. The story is loosely based on the exploits of a real live elephant that lived in Liberty Park a decade before Sillitoe’s childhood in the neighborhood.  

Genres: Historical Fiction

200 pages, Paperback

First published July 28, 2013

Reviews

[Suzanne]

I enjoyed this mainly for the glimpse of Salt Lake City during the Great Depression. It was kind of an odd mix of a heartwarming story about Princess Alice, Liberty Park's resident elephant, a family of young kids and teenagers lovingly raised by parents who can't control them -- and a weird sicko pedophile snatching neighborhood kids. Didn't quite work, but was entertaining enough.

[Alina Brewer]

This book sent me on a pendulum swing from delightful to disturbing. It highlights the magic and innocence of childhood and some of the evil that acts against it. Although the difficult parts were not overly descriptive, it was enough to make my stomach turn and send chills up my spine. The setting of 1938 Salt Lake City and the variety of voice among the characters made this read enjoyable for me. I can't recommend to all friends. Also, to note, those not familiar with Mormon culture or beliefs may not fully understand certain elements.

[Kourtney]

Picked this up after meeting the author's husband and daughter at a little free library. I loved the story concept; and as a lifelong SLC resident with a historian's heart, I loved the setting. It was difficult for me to keep the characters straight. I struggled to imagine the setting as the 1930s, it felt more like the 1950s for some reason. It felt a little more like a late draft than a finished concept, but with it being published posthumously maybe it was. Would still recommend to anyone who likes Utah or Mormon themed fiction.

[Ellie]

First, a disclaimer: I am friends with the late author's sisters, and my entire family has been friends with her family for decades. That said, I really enjoyed Linda Sillitoe's straightforward, intelligent writing style and this very entertaining story. If you grew up Mormon and in Salt Lake City, you will have a blast reading this because of all the familiar places and situations. If you didn't grow up Mormon, or from a family less devout, this will give you a good idea of what a devout Mormon upbringing in the previous couple of generations would be like. Part mystery-crime story, part family drama, I thought the story delved a little off-track in the middle with a sexual dalliance and the consequences, but eventually you see why that was important to the plot. I found one of the family members very unlikable, yet was entertained by what she did and how she justified her actions to herself. I found the history of an elephant in Salt Lake City's urban Liberty Park to be delightful, and loved how the story wrapped up. As a bonus, there are historic news articles about Princess Alice, who really did reside at Liberty Park Zoo (who knew there even was such a thing?) before relocating to Hogle Zoo.

[Anna]

I have mixed feelings about this book. The detail of life in Salt Lake City in the 1930s was marvelous. The characters were well drawn from the creepy villain to the delightfully silly triplets. On the other hand the events of the book move so fast that they evoke little emotion, even when one character sickens and dies there is little time to grieve before we are moving on to the next event. I also did not like the characters of the older two children, who in each case participated in wrong-doing which was met with bitter consequences but remained convinced that they did nothing wrong at all.
2.5 stars rounded up.

[Carol]

Meh...

This book was recommended to me particularly because it takes place in Salt Lake City, where I live. Hearing about princess Alice the elephant was fun but the authors writing style was lacking. The characters names were unrealistic for the 1930's. The story line was folksy one minute then sensational the next. I just didn't particularly enjoy the characters or the plot. I'd give this book 2.5 stars.

[Marilyn]

Set in Salt Lake City during the Great Depression it is about the Flynn family and an elephant. I enjoyed reading it, but there was too much drama for one family during one summer. It's fun to read a story when you are familiar with the landmarks. I would love to be able to have some Snelgrove ice cream with my grandparents again!

[Chris]

I enjoyed the historical aspect of the novel and reading about Salt Lake City in 1936, especially Princess Alice, the elephant who used to live in Liberty Park. But a lot of the local references felt forced, almost like obvious name-dropping, which detracted a bit from the story. An interesting read for locals, but not sure if it would appeal to a wider audience.

[Joni]

Princess Alice is the resident elephant at Liberty Park in Salt Lake City. During a long hot depression-era summer, she manages to bring healing, safety and joy to a neighborhood close by. A loving portrait of my city and it's people.

[Jann]

A simple story, but fun to read about pre-war Salt Lake City and Liberty Park.