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The Summer of Robert Byron
It’s fall 1966, and Robert Byron has returned to his home town of Blue Spring in Michigan after serving in Vietnam. Everyone there tries to welcome him home, but he’s unsocial and ends up alienating almost everyone. He pretty much keeps to himself through the winter, until the money he’d saved up in Vietnam runs outs, and he has to go back to work. He meets Jean Summers, a teacher at Blue Spring High School who’d just started her teaching career the previous fall herself, when Robert is hired by her landlord to do some work on the house she’s renting. They’re complete opposites in personality, but somehow, they’re attracted to each other anyway. The Summer of Robert Byron is their Of how Jean tries to redeem through love Robert’s alienation and the dark secret that he has brought home with him from the war. Can she succeed or is it too late to ever really bring him home again?
264 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 12, 2017
9 people are currently reading
25 people want to read
About the author
Steven Arnett
7 books37 followersSteven Arnett was born in Detroit, Michigan, in 1951 and enjoys writing fiction and poetry. He attended Michigan State University and the University of Maine. He currently lives in Luxembourg with his wife, Delphine, and daughter, Vivienne.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
August 3, 2024
A Heartfelt Story of Love and Healing
"The Summer of Robert Byron" is a touching novel set in Blue Spring, Michigan, in 1966. Robert Byron comes home from Vietnam, troubled and distant. He meets Jean Summers, a kind new teacher, when he is hired to work on her house. Though they are very different, they feel a strong connection. Jean tries to help Robert heal from his past and find peace. This story shows how love can heal and bring hope, even in difficult times. With memorable characters and a beautiful setting, it's a moving and thoughtful read.
"The Summer of Robert Byron" is a touching novel set in Blue Spring, Michigan, in 1966. Robert Byron comes home from Vietnam, troubled and distant. He meets Jean Summers, a kind new teacher, when he is hired to work on her house. Though they are very different, they feel a strong connection. Jean tries to help Robert heal from his past and find peace. This story shows how love can heal and bring hope, even in difficult times. With memorable characters and a beautiful setting, it's a moving and thoughtful read.
February 25, 2018
For romance readers
I would recommend this book to anyone who like romance novels. The conversations are amateurish with Robert and Jean calling each other’s name every other sentence but the storyline is ok. Not the kind of book I would normally read but the author asked me to read and review and I agreed to do it - so I did.
I would recommend this book to anyone who like romance novels. The conversations are amateurish with Robert and Jean calling each other’s name every other sentence but the storyline is ok. Not the kind of book I would normally read but the author asked me to read and review and I agreed to do it - so I did.
August 12, 2024
A haunting and emotional exploration!
A poignant and powerful novel about a Vietnam veteran's struggle to find redemption and love in a small Michigan town.
A moving exploration of trauma, guilt, and the human spirit, with well-crafted characters and evocative writing.
A great read for fans of literary fiction and stories about war and redemption.
A poignant and powerful novel about a Vietnam veteran's struggle to find redemption and love in a small Michigan town.
A moving exploration of trauma, guilt, and the human spirit, with well-crafted characters and evocative writing.
A great read for fans of literary fiction and stories about war and redemption.
September 28, 2017
"The Summer of Robert Byron" is a romance narrated by a Vietnam War Veteran in 1966 about the redeeming power of love in overcoming the most unimaginable and horrific of dark nights of the spirit. The protagonist's surname suggests the great British Romantic poet, Lord Byron, and the object of Robert's affection is Jean Summer, a beautiful, worthy woman who is a school teacher in Blue Spring, Michigan. Robert's unspeakably dreadful experience in Vietnam haunts him to the point that he is unable both to communicate and, therefore, to commit with reciprocity to a woman's love: he is convinced that he is unworthy of it. This condition of his deep sense of alienation caused by the collective horrors of Vietnam leaves him deeply, spiritually wounded with scars few can see and without a remedy for his healing. Arnett's tale reminded me in places of "A Farewell to Arms" by Hemingway insofar as it juxtaposes the conflicting powers of love and war. Arnett is at his best when he alludes, with understatement, to the heartbreak he experienced in Vietnam, which is now being so well portrayed by Ken Burns in his new documentary film on the war. The natural banter of the dialogue between Robert and Jean represents another virtue of the writing of Arnett in this novel. He moves along the plot points of the story arc briskly and convincingly and skillfully within the genre. The existential challenge for Robert and Jean is whether the power of love is sufficient to overcome the horror of war: it is a conflict of the human condition well worth understanding. If the absurdity and nihilistic outcomes of war win the day, despite the beauty of love, then where does that leave us? What would such an outcome say about the possibility of finding meaning and depth and beauty resident within existence? Conversely, despite the snake in the Garden of Eden, if the human condition also offers the opportunity for love and time to heal even the most debilitating wounds of mind and body, then perhaps salvation exists for those of us fortunate enough to find it in dealing with the everyday hardships of existence. And perhaps the value and joys of love are even heightened by the contrast of the suffering, which precedes it. Arnett portrays the existential dance of love and war in his heartfelt romantic tale with a humility and integrity that I respect and admire. His ability to present his heroine with depth, intelligence and nobility render Jean as a round, well animated character whom it is a pleasure to get to know within Arnett's narrative. From my perspective the print version would be improved by technical pre-production enhancements leading to a higher rating. The bottom line and net effect are that this tale of love and war is one to add to your reading list because so much of one's sense of the meaning of life can be derived from the resolution of love and war. In a cynical world where war is so much a focus on the global stage one may find solace in the perception that humankind is also endowed with the means to overcome its worst catastrophe if we only have the courage and faith and relentless persistence to deploy it wisely.
February 9, 2018
“It’s fall 1966, and Robert Byron has returned to his home town of Blue Spring in Michigan after serving in Vietnam. Everyone there tries to welcome him home, but he’s unsocial and ends up alienating almost everyone. He pretty much keeps to himself through the winter, until the money he’d saved up in Vietnam runs outs, and he has to go back to work. He meets Jean Summers, a teacher at Blue Spring High School who’d just started her teaching career the previous fall herself, when Robert is hired by her landlord to do some work on the house she’s renting. They’re complete opposites in personality, but somehow, they’re attracted to each other anyway. The Summer of Robert Byron is their story: Of how Jean tries to redeem through love Robert’s alienation and the dark secret that he has brought home with him from the war. Can she succeed or is it too late to ever really bring him home again?”
Reading this novel is akin to staring at a wreck on the highway. It’s poorly written, but there was something about it that wouldn’t let me put it down (I’m almost ashamed that I read every word.). Robert Bryon was basically an ass before he was shipped off to Vietnam, but he was a bigger one when he came home. Maybe what appealed to me is that I was interested in learning if he could change.
The moral of this story, in my opinion, is that the heart wants what the heart wants. And Robert and Jean wanted each other.
With a good editor, this could have been a very good book, but the poor syntax, misspelled words, and missing words got in the way.And I couldn’t help but noticed that Jean’s last name was Summers, and I wondered if author Arnett was trying to draw some correlation between that and the novel’s title. I didn’t think about it too long because I could not find one.
The Summer of Robert Byron receives 2 out of 5 stars in Julie’s world.
Reading this novel is akin to staring at a wreck on the highway. It’s poorly written, but there was something about it that wouldn’t let me put it down (I’m almost ashamed that I read every word.). Robert Bryon was basically an ass before he was shipped off to Vietnam, but he was a bigger one when he came home. Maybe what appealed to me is that I was interested in learning if he could change.
The moral of this story, in my opinion, is that the heart wants what the heart wants. And Robert and Jean wanted each other.
With a good editor, this could have been a very good book, but the poor syntax, misspelled words, and missing words got in the way.And I couldn’t help but noticed that Jean’s last name was Summers, and I wondered if author Arnett was trying to draw some correlation between that and the novel’s title. I didn’t think about it too long because I could not find one.
The Summer of Robert Byron receives 2 out of 5 stars in Julie’s world.
October 14, 2022
Reviewed in the United States on September 30, 2022
This is a must read. Once I began reading, I couldn't stop until I was finished.
Robert was finally home after serving his tour in Viet Nam. He didn't come alone. He carried a lot with him that he just didn't want to talk about or to share what he went through and what he did.
Robert showed up in town about the same time Jean had decided to leave her home and start all over again. Her fiancé had left her. She didn't want anyone to keep asking questions or making comments. So, she took a teaching job in Blue Spring and started to rebuild her life.
They met when Robert was hired to do some repairs of her rental. And their friendship was made. Could their friendship stay as such or could it develop into more.
This book is so beautifully written. I loved that it was written by a man.
Little spelling errors don't mean a lot when it's a wonderful book I am a retired teacher. Those small mistakes meant nothing. It was it was the "BEAUTIFUL" we got, that was what we read and was the everything that was in the book.
I wish I could give this book more than 5 stars because it's worth more. So, 5 stars it is.
Robert I'm looking for your next beautiful book.
This book was given to me by the author for no expectation except for an honest review.
This is a must read. Once I began reading, I couldn't stop until I was finished.
Robert was finally home after serving his tour in Viet Nam. He didn't come alone. He carried a lot with him that he just didn't want to talk about or to share what he went through and what he did.
Robert showed up in town about the same time Jean had decided to leave her home and start all over again. Her fiancé had left her. She didn't want anyone to keep asking questions or making comments. So, she took a teaching job in Blue Spring and started to rebuild her life.
They met when Robert was hired to do some repairs of her rental. And their friendship was made. Could their friendship stay as such or could it develop into more.
This book is so beautifully written. I loved that it was written by a man.
Little spelling errors don't mean a lot when it's a wonderful book I am a retired teacher. Those small mistakes meant nothing. It was it was the "BEAUTIFUL" we got, that was what we read and was the everything that was in the book.
I wish I could give this book more than 5 stars because it's worth more. So, 5 stars it is.
Robert I'm looking for your next beautiful book.
This book was given to me by the author for no expectation except for an honest review.
February 11, 2018
Robert Byron returns home from Viet Nam in the fall of 1966. He brings with him a dark secret he cannot bare to repeat, but lives it daily in his mind. A life-long character trait of unpredictability becomes his greatest trademark. There is not much to admire nor to respect about the main character. He spends most of his time in bars getting drunk, he is not able to hold a steady job, he has no goals or dreams he strives to attain, and he bed-hops with different women throughout the entire book. He is not able to make a commitment except at the end, but by then, the reader may lack any sense of surety in the character as being able to keep his commitment. The story line is flat and the characters are one-dimensional.
Author Steven Arnett writes with an elementary style...then he walked to the couch...then he did this or then he did that. The word 'then' and the phrase 'they looked into each other eyes' are way over used. However, Arnett does use some dialogue in a natural sense, and that may be Arnett's saving grace.
I give "The Summer of Robert Byron" by Steven Arnett a 2-star rating.
Review by: Rita Kroon, author of "Kiss Your Mommy Goodbye" and "Letters from the Past."
Author Steven Arnett writes with an elementary style...then he walked to the couch...then he did this or then he did that. The word 'then' and the phrase 'they looked into each other eyes' are way over used. However, Arnett does use some dialogue in a natural sense, and that may be Arnett's saving grace.
I give "The Summer of Robert Byron" by Steven Arnett a 2-star rating.
Review by: Rita Kroon, author of "Kiss Your Mommy Goodbye" and "Letters from the Past."
September 2, 2017
Robert Byron returns to his home town Blue Springs near Michigan in 1966 after being drafted into the Vietnam war but his life is now marred by a terrible event that haunts his days. Like a lot of young men he wasn't very academic, ran away often, had troubled teens but redeemed himself through sports and got into college on a baseball scholarship but it wasn't going to be enough to save his soul.
On returning home he falls into a debilitating cycle of drinking too much and having casual sex until he meets the strong and charismatic Jean Summers. Love conquers all but his path to her heart was not going to be an easy one.
After her fling with a young lawyer and her brush with death, their need for one another intensifies naturally and their course is set.
With great dialogue and honest emotions, Steve Arnett portrays the fragile swings between high and low but ends in a poetic union between two hopeful lovers.
On returning home he falls into a debilitating cycle of drinking too much and having casual sex until he meets the strong and charismatic Jean Summers. Love conquers all but his path to her heart was not going to be an easy one.
After her fling with a young lawyer and her brush with death, their need for one another intensifies naturally and their course is set.
With great dialogue and honest emotions, Steve Arnett portrays the fragile swings between high and low but ends in a poetic union between two hopeful lovers.
September 5, 2017
"The Summer Of Discontent"
During the year of 1966, Robert Byron returns to his home town of Blue Spring, Michigan. He served in the Army during the Vietnam War, which has altered the man. While everyone welcomed him home, he only seeks privacy, not desiring any social closeness. He almost alienates everyone. Eventually he has to come out of his cave to seek employment. Soon he meets Jean Summers, a new teacher at the local high school. Robert has taken on a construction job working for the landlord of Jean's rental house. This story is so repetitive and for me, it became boring. The formatting is distracting with poor settings; this novel definitely needs better editing and proofreading.
During the year of 1966, Robert Byron returns to his home town of Blue Spring, Michigan. He served in the Army during the Vietnam War, which has altered the man. While everyone welcomed him home, he only seeks privacy, not desiring any social closeness. He almost alienates everyone. Eventually he has to come out of his cave to seek employment. Soon he meets Jean Summers, a new teacher at the local high school. Robert has taken on a construction job working for the landlord of Jean's rental house. This story is so repetitive and for me, it became boring. The formatting is distracting with poor settings; this novel definitely needs better editing and proofreading.
May 11, 2018
This could have been a captivating story if it weren’t for the missing words, stiff dialog, bad syntax, overwritten descriptions and awkward sentences. I would not trust any of the five-star reviews on Amazon because those readers obviously don’t have any idea what good writing looks like.
My biggest question in the story is: Why would Jean want to settle for a man who cheated on her, lied, and couldn’t divulge his past? Robert was irresponsible, unpredictable and with commitment problems. This begs me to consider Jean’s insecurity and her low opinion of herself. I can only award this book two stars, and that is generous.
My biggest question in the story is: Why would Jean want to settle for a man who cheated on her, lied, and couldn’t divulge his past? Robert was irresponsible, unpredictable and with commitment problems. This begs me to consider Jean’s insecurity and her low opinion of herself. I can only award this book two stars, and that is generous.
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October 21, 2017Wow, a love story was written by a man. I was anxious to read this and was not disappointed.The love relationship is complicated by the man's self-loathing about an event during his tour in Vietnam. His struggle with his past prevents him from commitment.The woman is a lovely school teacher. She is popular, He not so much. However, their attraction is irreversible. Call it magnetism. I think this is worth reading.
November 4, 2017
I had difficulty getting into this story, although the idea of the effects of a Viet Nam war experience on at-home life after the war was initially intriguing. But the dialogue seemed much too formal and then too filled with slang to feel real.
How Jean gradually breaks through to Robert felt a bit stilted, perhaps from the long expositions interspersed with the formal dialogue. Nevertheless, the depiction of life after Viet Nam in the 1960s seemed accurate.
How Jean gradually breaks through to Robert felt a bit stilted, perhaps from the long expositions interspersed with the formal dialogue. Nevertheless, the depiction of life after Viet Nam in the 1960s seemed accurate.
March 15, 2018
First off, I really want to like this book especially since I received a free copy for my review.
However, I didn't feel the conversations in the book felt natural at all. I struggled with the book. From Roberts bed-hopping to the stiff barley there conversations.
I liked Jean and Robert quite a bit but didn't feel I really got to know them. All it felt very on the surface and without depth.
Was a sweet book all in all just not the best flow to it.
However, I didn't feel the conversations in the book felt natural at all. I struggled with the book. From Roberts bed-hopping to the stiff barley there conversations.
I liked Jean and Robert quite a bit but didn't feel I really got to know them. All it felt very on the surface and without depth.
Was a sweet book all in all just not the best flow to it.
February 3, 2018
This is a romance, but it is more than that. This story is a look into a man's heart and soul as he tries to overcome the wounds of war and regain his life. For Robert Bryon, meeting Jean Summers may just be what he needs to start over. The author writes a good story and examines real life in a compelling read.
October 10, 2018
Great storyline and I loved Robert Byron. The way the author described the situations between the characters turned out to be a very enjoyable read and I highly recommend it.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews