Amerykańskie lato

by Catrin Collier, Edyta Jaczewska (Translator)

Każdy ma w życiu takie jedno niepowtarzalne lato. Dla dwóch brytyjskich studentek, Penny i Kate, oraz dwóch Amerykanów, Bobbiego i Sandy’ego, są nim letnie miesiące spędzone na Cape Cod w 1968 roku. Ciepłe, leniwe dni wypełnia miłość, śmiech i muzyka, aż do pewnej nocy, kiedy samochód Bobbiego rozbija się o drzewo i staje w płomieniach, a nad wydarzeniami przejmuje kontrolę pewna stara, zgorzkniała kobieta, raz na zawsze odmieniając losy tych, którzy wypadek przeżyli. Z całej czwórki jedno zginęło, drugie odniosło poważne obrażenia, a trzecie znikło i nigdy więcej nie było już widziane przez rodzinę i bliskich. Po latach Penny dostaje list z prośbą, by wróciła do Ameryki i pomogła naprawić zło, jakie wydarzyło się tamtej nocy. Czy starczy jej odwagi?

Genres: Romance, Historical, Fiction

408 pages, Paperback

First published June 11, 2011

About the author

Catrin Collier is Wales' most prolific and well-known author of historical, romantic fictions. The daughter of a Prussian refugee and Welsh father, she grew up in Pontypridd. Her first historical novel Hearts of Gold, was filmed as a mini-series by the BBC in 2003. Her crime book, By Any Name, written as Katherine John was filmed by Tanabi and released on Amazon Prime in 2017. She lives with her family on the Gower Peninsula, near Swansea. More information on Catrin Collier, Katherine John and Caro French's books can be found on her website www.catrincollier.co.uk

Reviews

[KOMET · Rating 3 out of 5]

"BOBBY'S GIRL" is a novel that contrasts what was the summer romance during 1968 between Penny John, a young Welsh art student in the U.S. (as part of a student exchange program with her best friend Kate) and Bobby Brosna, a 20-something American -- who turns out to be heir to an immense family fortune tightly controlled by a cruel, autocratic grandmother --- with the life 19 years later of the now nearing 40 Penny, who has managed to pick up the pieces from what had been a horrible tragedy in her life in 1968 and make a living for herself as an illustrator while raising a son largely on her own.

The novel brings together the two time lines in Penny's life and ties up several loose ends from the past. On the whole, "BOBBY'S GIRL" is well-written and has a rather surprising ending. But it's not a novel that I would be inclined to re-read. I enjoyed the ride, but now I'm ready to seek other literary vistas.

(The odd thing is that the title itself evoked for me the 1962 Marcie Blane song of the same name - 'BOBBY'S GIRL' --- which would run through my mind from time to time as I read this novel.)

[Magdalena Wajda · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was disappointed, even though I did not expect much of that book. A summer romance between an English girl and an American boy in the summer of 1968. With Vietnam War as the social background and looming on the horizon. But I did not like the way in which this social background was presented (very one-sided, with arguments straigth from anti-war propaganda leaflets, no depth at all).
In general, the book and the characters lacked depth. And this persona of "poor rich boy" seemed to be taken straight out from "Dynasty". Maybe I'm just too old for such books (but I still enjoy reading Nora Roberts, so this means I must have an issue with Ms. Collier and her writing).
It was a pleasant read, although not very absorbing.

[Redfox5 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book jumps between the summer of 1968 in America and the year of 1987 in both America and Wales. It's the story of two Welsh girls who go to America for the summer, they meet Bobby and Sandy and have an unforgettable time.

But a tragic car accident leaves a scar on all of them. Kate is dead, Sandy is missing, Bobby is disfigured and Penny returns to Wales pregnant. Lives are ruined not just because of the accident but because of Bobbi's cruel step-grandmother, who feels the need to control everyone life with her money and power.

One of those books you fall into and struggle to get out of. A great story with a very sad secret.

[Linda · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was a shame that it was only after three quarters into the book that really sparked my attention. If it wasn't for as to being curious of the outcome, i would have given up on this book and thrown it out of the window. I thought the ending was quite intriguing and glad I stuck it out.

[k · Rating 4 out of 5]

Troche romans więc raczej not my thing i szczerze- dość slabo napisany- ale dobrze spełniło rolę, dla której ją wypożyczyłam, aż się zdziwiłam, no i plot twist był zaskakujący, a przynajmniej dla mnie więc myślę że takie fair 4 gwiazdki się należą.

[Janis Turner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rather slow but the descriptions of Cape Cod life in the 70's were quite interesting. the twist at the end was quite clever.

[Denise Musson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A move forward in time, very good

[Siân · Rating 3 out of 5]

I admit to being totally unsure about how to rate this book. Partly because it's not what I thought, but partly because of how it's written. I dislike intensely books that flit between two different times, and this frustrated me about this book. However, I was led to believe that it was partly set in Pontypridd, featuring a child of Bethan and Andrew John, and thought it might lead to some closure post Spoils of War... which it didn't. While Andrew appears, if you hadn't read the Pontypridd series you'd never know. Bethan doesn't exist, which I find strange. This book could have been so much more, yet instead it takes pages and pages to tell a four month summer romance that ends in tragedy. That said, it's written in Catrin Colliers' lovely style. However unlike the Pontypridd series that I've read three times, and the earlier Welsh Valley series (Finders and Keepers and co) which I've read twice, I can't see myself ever returning to this book.

[Anne Harvey · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Penny John receives a letter from America, she is forced to revisit the times when she and her friend, Kate, spent a special summer working on Cape Cod in 1968. Penny meets and falls in love with rich-in-money, poor-in-love Bobby Brosna, whose seemingly every moment is controlled by his domineering and powerful grandmother. Kate, meanwhile, has formed a relationship with Sandy, Bobby’s long-time friend. The four have an always-to-be-remembered summer which sadly ends when Bobby’s car crashes and bursts into flames one fateful night. Who survives and who dies is neatly solved towards the end when Penny and her son, Andy, visit the States. Most of the story is told in retrospective, looking back to 1968, with the times accurately portrayed. Good strong characterisation although the character of Bobby got on my nerves a bit. Good read though.

[Lindsay Jarrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Brilliant book by this author!

Having read the 9 books of the Hearts of Gold series by Catrin, this book was a fabulous read as it brought in characters from that series I already knew well. Loved it and couldn’t put it down !

[Sian davies · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable read with a fabulous unforeseen ending. Not my favourite book by the author but well worth the read.

[Janet Ford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent book!

Catrin never fails to surprise the reader - just when you think you know what's going to happen. Great book.