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Een zomer zonder einde
Mungo, een gepensioneerd acteur, trekt zich terug in een klein dorpje in Devon, vlak bij zijn broer en schoonzus. Zijn wilde dagen liggen ver achter hem en de rust van het platteland doet hem goed. Bovendien is de prachtig tot woonhuis verbouwde smidse een perfecte plek voor zijn vrienden als ze even aan Londen willen ontsnappen.
Een van hen is Kit, die Mungo praktisch smeekt of ze de zomer bij hem mag doorbrengen. Ze is erg van streek nadat ze een brief heeft gekregen van haar grote en enige liefde Jake, na jaren taal noch teken van hem te hebben vernomen. Hij wil haar graag weer zien, en Kit weet niet wat ze moet doen.
De warme nadagen van de zomer worden versplinterd door geheimen uit het verleden die de rust in het slaperige dorp dreigen te verstoren. Mungo en Kit zullen zich moeten realiseren dat je de toekomst alleen kunt omarmen als je het verleden het hoofd durft te bieden.
Maar zullen ze op tijd zijn?
Een van hen is Kit, die Mungo praktisch smeekt of ze de zomer bij hem mag doorbrengen. Ze is erg van streek nadat ze een brief heeft gekregen van haar grote en enige liefde Jake, na jaren taal noch teken van hem te hebben vernomen. Hij wil haar graag weer zien, en Kit weet niet wat ze moet doen.
De warme nadagen van de zomer worden versplinterd door geheimen uit het verleden die de rust in het slaperige dorp dreigen te verstoren. Mungo en Kit zullen zich moeten realiseren dat je de toekomst alleen kunt omarmen als je het verleden het hoofd durft te bieden.
Maar zullen ze op tijd zijn?
287 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2002
49 people are currently reading
886 people want to read
About the author
Marcia Willett
66 books355 followersMarcia Willett began her career as a novelist when she was fifty years old. Since that first novel Marcia has written twenty more under her own name as well as a number of short stories. She has also written four books under the pseudonym "Willa Marsh", and is published in more than sixteen countries.
Marcia Willett's early life was devoted to the ballet, but her dreams of becoming a ballerina ended when she grew out of the classical proportions required. She had always loved books, and a family crisis made her take up a new career as a novelist - a decision she had never regretted.
Marcia Willett's early life was devoted to the ballet, but her dreams of becoming a ballerina ended when she grew out of the classical proportions required. She had always loved books, and a family crisis made her take up a new career as a novelist - a decision she had never regretted.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 reviews
April 30, 2017
A gentle, relaxing family saga. Really enjoyable. Enough drama to write an opera, as Frummie snorted and said:
“Of course I have a point. And what I’m saying is, I think we’d all feel much nobler if we had an orchestra around when we’re living those really dramatic moments of our own lives. I’m sure it would be much less of a dreary struggle if Brahms or Mozart was accompanying our own private dramas. We watch all these plays and films and are moved by suffering and fear or great romantic passion, yet our own lives we imagine to be rather pathetic and dreary. I’ve always had a fancy to die to some great dramatic musical theme but I can’t quite decide what it should be...
... It would be frustrating if the music stopped at the wrong moment.” Louise was amused at the idea. “I suppose it would have to be something powerful and dramatic.” “On the other hand I might prefer something sexy and terribly evocative,” said Frummie. “Something that really invokes a memory. Nina Simone, perhaps. Someone with a gravelly voice that plucks the heartstrings right out of your chest, so that you’re way back there in that dim, shadowy cellar and you can see the little, round tables with their half-empty glasses, and ashtrays spilling over, and a velvet evening bag dumped down amongst the wet sticky rings”
There were too many family and friends trying to be counselors to each other, which dragged out the story way too much. However, true to the Maeve Binchy format, and reminiscent of Rosamunde Pilcher's books, the ending is a great one.
"We probe about too much these days,” he’d say. “Everyone wants to be a counselor, amateur or otherwise. It isn’t always good to delve about in our inner psyches; sometimes it’s better just to shut up and get on with life.”
Some of the characters were just too high on their own pity-parade for my taste. But they were all so well developed and actually likable. The story is atmospheric and technicolored. Thought-provoking and entertaining.
Talk about chain marriages in many forms, this is it! Enough characters to fill out the entire scope on marriage in all its complexities. My goodness, and mistresses galore. However, and refreshingly, a nonpredatory approach was in vogue! :-))
What I really appreciated was that all the men in the book were treated like real good human beings: excellent friends, great lovers and wonderful husbands.
A feel-good experience. A great one!
“Of course I have a point. And what I’m saying is, I think we’d all feel much nobler if we had an orchestra around when we’re living those really dramatic moments of our own lives. I’m sure it would be much less of a dreary struggle if Brahms or Mozart was accompanying our own private dramas. We watch all these plays and films and are moved by suffering and fear or great romantic passion, yet our own lives we imagine to be rather pathetic and dreary. I’ve always had a fancy to die to some great dramatic musical theme but I can’t quite decide what it should be...
... It would be frustrating if the music stopped at the wrong moment.” Louise was amused at the idea. “I suppose it would have to be something powerful and dramatic.” “On the other hand I might prefer something sexy and terribly evocative,” said Frummie. “Something that really invokes a memory. Nina Simone, perhaps. Someone with a gravelly voice that plucks the heartstrings right out of your chest, so that you’re way back there in that dim, shadowy cellar and you can see the little, round tables with their half-empty glasses, and ashtrays spilling over, and a velvet evening bag dumped down amongst the wet sticky rings”
There were too many family and friends trying to be counselors to each other, which dragged out the story way too much. However, true to the Maeve Binchy format, and reminiscent of Rosamunde Pilcher's books, the ending is a great one.
"We probe about too much these days,” he’d say. “Everyone wants to be a counselor, amateur or otherwise. It isn’t always good to delve about in our inner psyches; sometimes it’s better just to shut up and get on with life.”
Some of the characters were just too high on their own pity-parade for my taste. But they were all so well developed and actually likable. The story is atmospheric and technicolored. Thought-provoking and entertaining.
Talk about chain marriages in many forms, this is it! Enough characters to fill out the entire scope on marriage in all its complexities. My goodness, and mistresses galore. However, and refreshingly, a nonpredatory approach was in vogue! :-))
What I really appreciated was that all the men in the book were treated like real good human beings: excellent friends, great lovers and wonderful husbands.
A feel-good experience. A great one!
July 20, 2018
Η αλήθεια είναι πως δεν ενθουσιάστηκα. Νομίζω πως πήγε να κάνει μια κακή αντιγραφή της γραφής της Πίλτσερ. Φυσικά απέτυχε κατά τη γνώμη μου. Πρόκειται για μια καθαρή σκιαγράφηση πολλών χαρακτήρων την οποία όμως εγώ βρήκα επιφανειακή. Ενώ το θέμα είναι ενδιαφέρον καθώς πραγματεύεται τις ανθρώπινες σχέσεις θεωρώ πως φλυαρούσε χωρίς λόγο. Αν ήταν μικρότερο σε έκταση σίγουρα θα ήταν καλύτερο.
January 16, 2020
Marcia Willett has an obvious love for the English countryside and the people who live there. In A Summer in the Country we are introduced to Brigid. She's a middle aged, newly minted grandmother who lives on the edge of a moor in Devon, and lets out cottages around her main house. One such cottage is currently being occupied by her mother, Frummie, who has never really tolerated the country, and escaped back to London with another man when Brigid was a young child, leaving her in the care of her Father. 45 odd years later Brigid is still struggling with resentment, feelings of inadequacy, and jealousy of her younger sister (with another father) who was *not* left behind. She's also wondering how exactly her loner life will change when her Navy husband retires in a few short months and returns home for permanent shore leave.
We're also introduced to Louise, who is on holiday from the city (a separate holiday from her significant other who chose to go "golfing" with buddies in Wales). Louise is fighting inner demons of her own and failing miserably. She's actually really just chased her demons into a small room, slammed the door, and is currently holding the door closed with all her might. Every now and then though the demons get the door open a crack and release uncomfortable memories. About 1/3 of the way into the book we realize where those memories are coming from, and just how large the demons are. I really grew to like Louise while reading the book, rooted for her, and liked the way Willett wraps up her storyline.
Numerous other side characters populate the novel. Some, like Brigid's sister Jemima, and her father-in-law Alexander, have a fairly major role. Others, like Frummie's friend Margot and Brigid's husband, have more peripheral roles. Willett gives them all distinct personalities though. She even infuses real life into Brigid's dog Blot and Jemima's cat Magnificat. Unlike other books with numerous characters where I found myself thumbing back through chapters to figure out who the *heck* so-and-so was again, I never once had that problem here, because each character fit into the story so nicely. Several other reviewers describe the book as "overly dramatic", and I agree just a bit. I can also somewhat agree with the complaints that the book "plods". I have more of an issue with the judicious use of the word "whilst". I don't recommend a drinking game where a shot is taken for every "whilst" because you will be passed out drunk with a blood alcohol level well above the danger zone by chapter 10.
Based on the above caveats, combined with the thoroughly likable/well developed characters, I feel that the book deserves a solid 3.5 stars or "Very Good" rating. This is chick-lit with a heart, and romance that won't make you vomit. Recommended as a summer read, and a definite library check-out win.
We're also introduced to Louise, who is on holiday from the city (a separate holiday from her significant other who chose to go "golfing" with buddies in Wales). Louise is fighting inner demons of her own and failing miserably. She's actually really just chased her demons into a small room, slammed the door, and is currently holding the door closed with all her might. Every now and then though the demons get the door open a crack and release uncomfortable memories. About 1/3 of the way into the book we realize where those memories are coming from, and just how large the demons are. I really grew to like Louise while reading the book, rooted for her, and liked the way Willett wraps up her storyline.
Numerous other side characters populate the novel. Some, like Brigid's sister Jemima, and her father-in-law Alexander, have a fairly major role. Others, like Frummie's friend Margot and Brigid's husband, have more peripheral roles. Willett gives them all distinct personalities though. She even infuses real life into Brigid's dog Blot and Jemima's cat Magnificat. Unlike other books with numerous characters where I found myself thumbing back through chapters to figure out who the *heck* so-and-so was again, I never once had that problem here, because each character fit into the story so nicely. Several other reviewers describe the book as "overly dramatic", and I agree just a bit. I can also somewhat agree with the complaints that the book "plods". I have more of an issue with the judicious use of the word "whilst". I don't recommend a drinking game where a shot is taken for every "whilst" because you will be passed out drunk with a blood alcohol level well above the danger zone by chapter 10.
Based on the above caveats, combined with the thoroughly likable/well developed characters, I feel that the book deserves a solid 3.5 stars or "Very Good" rating. This is chick-lit with a heart, and romance that won't make you vomit. Recommended as a summer read, and a definite library check-out win.
May 22, 2014
I enjoyed this book but found the characters a bit over dramatic. The writing style was excellent, making it very easy to read. However, I did find myself re reading sections due to the quite dramatic reactions the characters had to ordinary every day situations. The book began slowly; I read to about page 120 before the back story came to light and I could understand the story a bit better - it was only the excellent writing that kept me reading so long before I could make sense of it. If the writing had been poor I would have given up very early. I found myself wanting to shake some of the characters and say to them "oh for heavens sake, just get on with it". But overall, quite an enjoyable read but does not deserve more than the 3 stars I have given it in my opinion.
May 5, 2024
Heel beschrijvend en kabbelend. Geen idee waarom de schrijver een rol heeft. Maar wel leuk om over de omgeving te lezen en dat de karakters redelijk uitgewerkt zijn.
March 11, 2018
Un roman feel-good qui fait du bien, sans être un chef-d'œuvre.
December 18, 2017
Verstand op nul en je hebt zo een boek uitgelezen. Mag ook eens als tussendoortje!
Read
August 22, 2020I loved the thoughtful ways in which she built the characters and their relationships and struggles. The descriptions of the country side were lovely.
June 25, 2020
Brigid hat ein kleines abgelegenes Anwesen mit zwei Cottages in Dartmoore. Ihr Mann ist bei der Marine und damit kaum daheim. In einem der Cottages wohnt ihre Mutter, die das Landleben eigentlich aus tiefstem Herzen hasst. Brigid kann ihr zudem nicht verzeihen, dass sie von ihr verlassen wurde, während ihre Halbschwester bei ihr aufwachsen durfte. Aufgrund dessen hat sie auch zu ihrer Schwester ein eher angespanntes Verhältnis. Das andere hat sie an Louise vermietet, eine Bekannte die schon seit Jahren die Einsamkeit der Gegend sucht, weil sie vergessen will das sie das Liebste auf der Welt verloren hat, ihre Tochter. Foxhole scheint eine magische Anziehung zu haben, auf Frauen die von ihren Männern betrogen wurden, oder auf andere Weise schwere Schicksalsschläge durchlebt haben. Auflösung bringt erst die Ankunft von Brigids Schwiegervater, der ihnen durch seine offene Art einen Spiegel vorhält und ihnen somit die Chance zum Wachstum gibt.
Bücher von Marcia Willett lassen einem nicht gerade vor Spannung den Atem stocken. Vielmehr sind sie wie gute Freunde, mit denen man sich auch an einem Nachmittag auf der Couch wohlfühlt. Die Autorin lässt ihre Charaktere Dinge durchleben, die jeden von uns treffen können, Verlust eines Kindes, Betrug und Pleiten und langweilt dabei nicht mit einer einzigen Seite. Vielmehr zeigt sie wie man daran wachsen kann und wieder nach vorn sieht. Alles eingebaut in die malerische Kulisse Südenglands. Das Buch ist entspannend und schön wie ein warmer Sommerregen und eine Hommage an die Stärke von Frauen des Alltags.
Bücher von Marcia Willett lassen einem nicht gerade vor Spannung den Atem stocken. Vielmehr sind sie wie gute Freunde, mit denen man sich auch an einem Nachmittag auf der Couch wohlfühlt. Die Autorin lässt ihre Charaktere Dinge durchleben, die jeden von uns treffen können, Verlust eines Kindes, Betrug und Pleiten und langweilt dabei nicht mit einer einzigen Seite. Vielmehr zeigt sie wie man daran wachsen kann und wieder nach vorn sieht. Alles eingebaut in die malerische Kulisse Südenglands. Das Buch ist entspannend und schön wie ein warmer Sommerregen und eine Hommage an die Stärke von Frauen des Alltags.
October 13, 2012
I picked this book because it's setting is a home in Devon where the owner rents out the accompanying cottages to those on holiday. That's exactly where I spent the summer of 1974 - in the "mainhouse" with the cottages (and other side of the home) rented out in Devon. I liked the fact that I could so easily picture the location. As far as the story goes, some story lines were way too predictable - and others were delightfully surprising. Do folks in England really drink all that coffee? And is everyone really having an affair? If you can get past that though, it really is a nice chick-lit read - and I ended up caring about the fate of ALL the characters.
February 5, 2012
She's like Maeve Binchy, whom I like because they're nice simple reads full of mostly lovely people who lvoe the countryside or little villages they live in. Marcia has that aspect going for her, but I think all her books are about people who cheat on one another. There's rarely one person in the book who hasn't had an affair or been cheated on. I'm not looking for perfect romances but it gets to be a bit much.
April 29, 2010
Where was the editor on this one? "Whilst" reading this tale which never got to the murderer on the moor, ther author used "whilst" on every page!!!! On one page, she used it three times in one paragraph. Unbelievable! Willett will not replace Maeve Binchey, or even Rosamunde Pilcher. YUCK!
March 21, 2013
Another snippet of life in the English countryside from the author of "A Week in Winter", which I LOVED. In spite of everything wrapping up a little too pat, a nice cozy story of Brigid and her extended family.
March 18, 2014
Excellent character development.....captivating & engrossing to the end.Fans of Rosamunde Pilcher & Maeve Binchy will love this book! A new author for me & I highly recommend this book.
September 24, 2023
“Brigid knew that Martin Parry spent a fortnight twice a year on golfing holidays with three of his oldest friends and, at those times, Louise travelled to Devon for her own holiday. She liked to walk and was fascinated by the flora and fauna of the West Country, and if it seemed odd that she should prefer to do it alone it was no one's business but her own.” — A Summer in the Country (a.k.a.
Forgotten Laughter
) by Marcia Willett
Despite the peaceful Dartmoor setting, Louise is haunted by memories of her past, memories that are forced to the surface through the events of her trip.
Marcia Willett describes family life and found family particularly well in her books, and this one is no exception. I appreciated how even the characters that have made seemingly unforgivable choices in the past are treated with compassion. An important reminder that even if we think we know all about a person, we may not have the full story. Redemption can be found in the parts of the story to which we haven’t been privy.
This was such a good book, full of friendship, laughter, and the rebuilding of relationships.
The book begins in May and runs through the summer and autumn to end in December. Most of the action takes place in the warmer months, making it the ideal late spring or summer read, as the title suggests.
Despite the peaceful Dartmoor setting, Louise is haunted by memories of her past, memories that are forced to the surface through the events of her trip.
Marcia Willett describes family life and found family particularly well in her books, and this one is no exception. I appreciated how even the characters that have made seemingly unforgivable choices in the past are treated with compassion. An important reminder that even if we think we know all about a person, we may not have the full story. Redemption can be found in the parts of the story to which we haven’t been privy.
This was such a good book, full of friendship, laughter, and the rebuilding of relationships.
The book begins in May and runs through the summer and autumn to end in December. Most of the action takes place in the warmer months, making it the ideal late spring or summer read, as the title suggests.
May 10, 2020
"Brigid Foster is the owner of Foxhole, a thatched farmhouse nestled on the slopes above the beautiful Devon moors. Although she loves solitude, Brigid nonetheless looks forward to leasing out Foxhole's two cottages for the summer months.
"This year, however, her delight at the return of lively Londoner Louise Parry to occupy one cottage is dampened by the irritating presence of Frummie, her meddling mother, in the other. An aging Frummie is judgmental and sharp-tongued, making it clear she favors Brigid's half-sister, Jemima. But each of these women is keeping a precariously hidden secret. And now, a summer in the country becomes a season of stunning truths ... and the ultimate testing of a woman's heart."
~~back cover
Well, this book isn't exactly chick-lit, so I guess it's OK if I enjoyed it. Which I did. A soap opera in a book, with various characters and their dramas unfolded against the backdrop of the stunningly beautiful Devon moors, making it all the more enjoyable. Of course with a soap opera, you get caught up in all the twists and turns of the plot, and towards the end start reading avidly to set how all of them turn out. All quite satisfactorily, with the exception of one, which ended exactly the opposite of what I'd been expecting.
"This year, however, her delight at the return of lively Londoner Louise Parry to occupy one cottage is dampened by the irritating presence of Frummie, her meddling mother, in the other. An aging Frummie is judgmental and sharp-tongued, making it clear she favors Brigid's half-sister, Jemima. But each of these women is keeping a precariously hidden secret. And now, a summer in the country becomes a season of stunning truths ... and the ultimate testing of a woman's heart."
~~back cover
Well, this book isn't exactly chick-lit, so I guess it's OK if I enjoyed it. Which I did. A soap opera in a book, with various characters and their dramas unfolded against the backdrop of the stunningly beautiful Devon moors, making it all the more enjoyable. Of course with a soap opera, you get caught up in all the twists and turns of the plot, and towards the end start reading avidly to set how all of them turn out. All quite satisfactorily, with the exception of one, which ended exactly the opposite of what I'd been expecting.
September 17, 2020
This one just came to me at the perfect time in my year. I was looking for something that was soothing and restful, and Willett has an extraordinary way of making me feel that way.
Much like Rosamund Pilcher, Willett is a master of description -- the beautiful countryside of Dartmoor has always been a unique area and one that I loved when we visited. Willett makes me want to go back to see it again and rejoice in the simple beauty that is there.
I also loved her characters; there is no good or bad here, but very complex people with very complex emotions - - in other words, real people. I loved Frummie, Brigid, Jemima, Louise and Alexander - - all beautifully drawn characters in a very good story.
Much like Rosamund Pilcher, Willett is a master of description -- the beautiful countryside of Dartmoor has always been a unique area and one that I loved when we visited. Willett makes me want to go back to see it again and rejoice in the simple beauty that is there.
I also loved her characters; there is no good or bad here, but very complex people with very complex emotions - - in other words, real people. I loved Frummie, Brigid, Jemima, Louise and Alexander - - all beautifully drawn characters in a very good story.
June 2, 2019
I love this book! Other reviewers have complained about the many characters, but I will not. Many people come and go, threads weaving a tapestry of our real lives. This is exactly what this books does: gives you glimpses into the lives of each character and tells the story of hope and forgiveness.
If you enjoy books by Maeve Binchy and Rosamunde Pilcher, you will adore this Marcia Willett novel. I want to know more about Brigid and Humphrey’s sailing school, and how Gregory and Frummie are getting on in Spain, and if Louise and Rory are truly making a go of it this second time??? .
If you enjoy books by Maeve Binchy and Rosamunde Pilcher, you will adore this Marcia Willett novel. I want to know more about Brigid and Humphrey’s sailing school, and how Gregory and Frummie are getting on in Spain, and if Louise and Rory are truly making a go of it this second time??? .
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 1, 2023
DNF. Slow and boring. At first I enjoyed the detailed description of the English countryside but it continued throughout the book so extensively that I simply lost interest. The lurking stranger doesn’t make an appearance until halfway through the book and even then nothing seems to come of it so no mystery really, maybe just a distraction? I’m not sure what the whole point of this story was, simply 3 women sharing time together in cottages in the country. That’s about it. Don’t waste your time.
May 23, 2024
I absolutely LOVED Alexander! His best question, repeated often, was "does it matter?" The answer was almost always, "No, it really doesn't." He was able to calm many characters with that question. Most of the characters seemed to become better people as they became better friends with each other.
**Favorite quote:
"We probe about too much these days . . . Everyone wants to be a counselor, amateur or otherwise. It isn't always good to delve about in our inner psyches; sometimes it's better just to shut up and get on with life."
**Favorite quote:
"We probe about too much these days . . . Everyone wants to be a counselor, amateur or otherwise. It isn't always good to delve about in our inner psyches; sometimes it's better just to shut up and get on with life."
July 25, 2018
Hach. Ich bin ein echter Fan von Frau Willett! Ihre Bücher sind für mich die ideale Sommerlektüre: Unaufgeregt, langsam, im besten Sinne "Cozy" wird die Geschichte einer Familie in Devon erzählt. Die Figuren sind glaubwürdig und sympathisch und ich habe gerne mitgefiebert, wer jetzt wen bekommt und überhaupt. Nett finde ich auch, dass Figuren aus anderen Büchern in "Nebenrollen" kurz eine Art Cameo-Auftritt haben - schee!
Das nächste Willett-Buch ist schon ausgeliehen....
Das nächste Willett-Buch ist schon ausgeliehen....
May 28, 2021
I love and have read everything by Rosamunde Pilcher. This is my first Marcia Willet book. I loved the setting in Devon, and I liked a lot of the characters, but there were just sooooo many! Louise was a giant bore. But I really enjoyed Frummie! I kept picturing Diana Rigg as Frummie. Alexander was also a wonderful character. Did it bother anyone else that Jemima’s boyfriend never had a name? He, who shall not be named...?
June 8, 2022
I really loved this book, became very invested in the characters and was truly sad when it ended. The first chapter was a bit choppy and rough for me, I had some difficulty sorting who was who... but after that everything became much more clear. I'm late to the game finding this book and this author (stumbled across the book in an airport honor library), but I look forward to following up with her other novels.
July 13, 2017
Het verhaal in het rustige plaatsje in Devon wordt op een mooie manier geschreven.
Heerlijk ontspannend om te lezen en een mooie schrijfstijl.
Heb genoten van het tweede boek dat ik heb gelezen van deze schrijfster.
Heerlijk ontspannend om te lezen en een mooie schrijfstijl.
Heb genoten van het tweede boek dat ik heb gelezen van deze schrijfster.
August 7, 2021
I almost didn't read this book because the cover reminded me of a Betty Crocker cookbook!! Never judge a book by it's cover (as they say), because this one was much better than a reader was led to believe.
October 21, 2022
I loved A Week in Winter by this same author, but this one really wasn't my cup of tea. I had a hard time really connecting with the characters. I'm definitely still planning to read more from this author.
October 19, 2017
Aardig verhaal; voor tussendoor.
November 23, 2019
Fiction.
January 6, 2020
Good book with great characters.
July 22, 2022
Enjoyed this journey into the English countryside and the lives and relationships of some well drawn characters.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 reviews