Windless Summer: A Novel

by Heather Sharfeddin

A father’s love. A shattering secret. A summer that will change lives forever.

In the town of Rocket, Washington—a summer playground for windsurfers and tourists—a windless summer ignites fear as businesses and residents move away. Rocket’s motel, run by a lonely widower named Tom Jemmet, is hard hit. And Tom has demons of his own: memories of a beautiful wife that still haunt him, and a troubled young daughter whose retreat into a silent world confounds her father and sparks whispers in town.

Swirling around Tom are lives much like his own, townspeople yearning for wind but also for hope, even love. Charlene, a mail clerk, helps care for Tom’s daughter while a secret gnaws at her heart…Lauren, the town vet, has fallen for Tom, who barely notices…and newspaper editor Hap is hatching a foolish plan to save his town.

That’s when a miracle—or something like it—strikes Tom’s run-down motel. Guests who stay in Room 6 begin experiencing sudden acts of fate, both terrible and great. But while tourists descend on Rocket and the the town shows new signs of life, the truth about Tom’s motel and the death of his wife—as well as the secret hopes and fears of everyone around him—are exposed in ways that are both surprising and inevitable….

Genres: Fiction, Book Club

369 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

Heather Sharfeddin is a novelist whose work has earned starred reviews from Kirkus Reviews and Library Journal, has been honored with an Erick Hoffer award and at the New York and San Francisco Book Festivals, as well as the Pacific Northwest Book Sellers Association. Her first novel, Blackbelly, was named one of the top five novels of 2005 by the Portsmouth Harold. She has taught creative writing at Randolph-Macon College, University of Arkansas at Little Rock, and Linfield College (presently). She is also a book reviewer for Colorado Review. Her fifth novel What Keeps You is due out in late 2016.

Sharfeddin holds an MFA in writing from Vermont College of Fine Arts and a PhD in Creative Writing from Bath Spa University (Bath, England).

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Reviews

[Kate Puleo Unger · Rating 2 out of 5]

I struggled to get through this book. If I hadn't made an unspoken rule for myself that I wasn't going to DNF any of the books for my summer reading challenge, I wouldn't have finished this book. It was so slow, the writing was poor, and the dialogue was just really bad at times.

The premise of the story is a small town in rural Washington state where everyone survives because of the tourism - wind surfing being the main draw. When they have one summer without wind, no one comes to the town and all of the businesses start closing. I liked the premise. We often think of weather issues - heat, cold, drought - but I'd never thought of wind as something that might go away.

The story centers around Tom, a very sad hotel owner, who does nothing much other than care for his 12-year old daughter with autism and manage the hotel. His girlfriend Lauren is the town vet, but from his side their relationship is mostly physical, when it's convenient for him. She claims (in her own mind at least) that she loves him, but she is absolutely horrible when it comes to his daughter, Sienna. I really didn't care for Lauren. She acts as if she's better than everyone because she's a vet (or a "physician" in her mind). I also found it hard to relate to Tom most of the time. I felt bad that he struggled with Sienna, but I also thought he was ridiculous to think he could just leave her alone in their apartment all day.

One of the only reasons I kept reading the book was for Charlene, a young woman in town who's interested in Tom. She was the only shining light in Sienna's life, and I appreciated the insight she brought to Tom because of her childhood. There are several other decent supporting characters as well, but no one was really developed as much as I would have liked.

In general, the plot took too long to pick up. People don't start coming into the town until more than half way through the book. And the ending just got super weird. I'm not even sure what was supposed to have happened.

I would not recommend this book.

http://momsradius.blogspot.com/2015/0...

[Scott Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book gets better with each page making you hope it never ends. If you love a good story you'll enjoy this book.

[Valerie Wallis · Rating 1 out of 5]

Don’t waste your time on this one. Can’t handle the story and the ending was stupid. Nothing glorious about this one

[Peggy Walker · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story unfortunately looked to be a better read than it turned out to be in actuality. The premise is interesting, and the characters are pretty well drawn. A small town near the Hood River is normally a mecca for windsurfers, however a "windless summer" is killing the town. The main character owns a motel, and some mysterious events surrounding people that stayed in a particular room starts to attract media attention and a few weirdos. He also has a daughter with autism who is getting more and more out of control. I'm afraid that for me, the pieces were not tied together well, and the resolution is somewhat of a mystery. Some good writing here, but not enough to make a great book.

[Christy · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ugh. Nowhere on the back of this book are we led to believe that this story is going to delve into the paranormal or that it will get as violent as it does.

I feel so juvenile saying this in this way, but it's the only way to describe it - it's just stupid. The ending leaves everything to be desired and the story, as a whole, shows no growth on the part of the characters.

So mad I spent my money on this!!!

[Mel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had a lot of stories interwoven and an interesting concept though the ending was abrupt and brought little closure for the main character and his daughter. We know nothing of what will come of his severely autistic daughter or the people of the town. Everything is left very much up in the air, asking the reading to come up with their own endings.

[Ann Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I probably would have given this book 4 stars because it was a page turner and I enjoyed reading it and trying to guess what was going to happen. I didn't like the ending, otherwise a good read. I am going to see the author Heather Sharfeddin next week speak at CBC, hopefully I will have time to read some of her other books and hope they have better endings. :)

[Tere]

I think she ran out of words. Crummy ending.

[Stephen A. Geller · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Windless Summer" is a thoughtfully composed and beautifully written book mostly about a widower struggling to maintain a motel in a withering small town and his severely autistic 12-year-old daughter. The many other characters in the novel are vivid and bring many interesting minor themes. Despite a very few slow spots this book moves rapidly and is an absorbing read.

[Amy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good book. I wanted to keep reading to find out what would happen and then the end was SO dumb! And it just ends….no conclusion, no follow up…nothing. So disappointing! I think the author just got bored writing it.

[Sherry · Rating 2 out of 5]

Although I read it to see what would happen it was such a stupid ending I can only give it 2 stars
A waste of time

[Deanna Drai Turner · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book took my heart and my imagination on a ride to a dry, hot, hamlet in Eastern Washington State, where I met a kind and patient father of his not so patient 12-year old, un-medicated, autistic daughter. After his wife died, by mysterious circumstance, he was left to run his roadside motel and care for Sienna alone - unlearned in her needs as a mentally-deficient person, as a female, as a pre-teen. The story evolved at full tilt and I quickly became one of the townsfolk. This author had just the right vein and tenor to "place me there" and make me feel included. I liked the town and the people. I liked the motel family. I have never read a book about autism, and was immediately compassionate to how very challenging that might be. And quickly, I found myself half way in. A fast read. Then things explode. Add: arcane room six, untimely deaths, absent wind, an ebbing economy, the media, Jay Leno, the holy roller, the hippies, the kids with safety pins through their lips...a totally well intended but seriously misguided vet, a nazi-like baker, and then....add in Human Nature. This story took an unexpected, somewhat paranormal turn, while love lost and love grew and love was questioned. Friendships were strained. And people were asked to take in the bigger picture, to grow up, to show up...Complexions were put on jury. I liked this book. I thought the tale told was good on the face and this author had the insight to weave in societies illnesses, propensities and also it's hope and potential for truth, art and healing in thorny environs. and ooooh did it make me stop and full-lungedly appreciated the breeze.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

"A father's love. A shattering secret. A summer that will change lives forever.
In the town of Rocket, Washington — a summer playground for windsurfers and tourists — a windless summer ignites fear as businesses and residents move away. Rocket's motel, run by a lonely widower named Tom Jemmet, is hard hit. And Tom has demons of his own: memories of a beautiful wife that still haunt him, and a troubled young daughter whose retreat into a silent world confounds her father and sparks whispers in town.
Swirling around Tom are lives much like his own, townspeople yearning for wind but also for hope, even love. Charlene, a mail clerk, helps care for Tom's daughter while a secret gnaws at her heart...Lauren, the town vet, has fallen for Tom, who barely notices...and newspaper editor Hap is hatching a foolish plan to save his town.
That's when a miracle — or something like it — strikes Tom's run-down motel. Guests who stay in Room 6 begin experiencing sudden acts of fate, both terrible and great. But while tourists descend on Rocket and the the town shows new signs of life, the truth about Tom's motel and the death of his wife — as well as the secret hopes and fears of everyone around him — are exposed in ways that are both surprising and inevitable...."

I enjoyed the small town and the characters. The ending was different and not what I had expected.

[Mmtimes4 · Rating 2 out of 5]

In the town of Rocket, Washington—a summer playground for windsurfers and tourists—a windless summer ignites fear as businesses and residents move away. Rocket’s motel, run by a lonely widower named Tom Jemmet, is hard hit. And Tom has demons of his own: memories of a beautiful wife that still haunt him, and a troubled young daughter whose retreat into a silent world confounds her father and sparks whispers in town.

Swirling around Tom are lives much like his own, townspeople yearning for wind but also for hope, even love. Charlene, a mail clerk, helps care for Tom’s daughter while a secret gnaws at her heart…Lauren, the town vet, has fallen for Tom, who barely notices…and newspaper editor Hap is hatching a foolish plan to save his town.

That’s when a miracle—or something like it—strikes Tom’s run-down motel. Guests who stay in Room 6 begin experiencing sudden acts of fate, both terrible and great. But while tourists descend on Rocket and the the town shows new signs of life, the truth about Tom’s motel and the death of his wife—as well as the secret hopes and fears of everyone around him—are exposed in ways that are both surprising and inevitable.

[Dob · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like stories that take you away while keeping it real, Windless Summer does it. Sharfeddin's novel is both anti-smarmy and anti-epic -- one of those rare tales that's taut and real and just plain satisfying. Sharfeddin does an incredible job of getting out of the way of her writing -- and here she did it by putting me in the middle of a small town along the Columbia River Gorge and bringing to life all kinds of people who simply want to live, love and survive life's most basic worries: a secure future and the unromantic depths of love. Sure, there's despair, ego, pride, darkness, and even a few weirdos, but that's exactly what enriches and sweetens the whole story. It might sound like a cliche, but I'll always be rooting for Sienna and her dad Tom (while watching for old motels with pools out back). It's all in Windless Summer; therefore, it's real. I also should add a full disclosure (with pride): Heather is a good friend.

[Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wow. What can I say? So many things happen in this book. Friendships are tried, emotions run high, loves are lost and found, father and daughter ties are stretched. Tom, the owner of a run-down motel on the outskirts of town, is the single parent of an Autistic daughter. He struggles with their relationship and how to handle her. He wants the best for her, but doesn't know what that might be. As Charlene, the postal worker in town, befriends his daughter he sees something spark, not only between her and his daughter but himself. As tragedies from the past resurface and strange occurences happen at the motel, Tom is faced with a decision of all decisions. Will tragedy manifest itself again? I found my heart strings going out to Tom and hoping that all would work out. I enjoyed the story line, but the language was overpowering. It would be nice to read a book that refrains from a lot of vulgar speech.

Thanks for the book Heather!

[Amy Nielsen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book. Sort of paranormal but parts of the book could have been elaborated on to make it deeper and more interesting and in the end, I felt sort of shallow, like something was missing. Even the ending was very abrupt and although I think the author intended it to be that way, I just wasn't ready for it yet. Not to say I was so absorbed, I just felt like the story needed a little bit more. But I did overall like the premise behind the book - a motel, in a usually busy windsurfing/tourist town, one summer has an unexpected tourist dry-up because of the lack of wind. But guests checking into one certain room keep turning up with various big events happening in their lives after check-out. Strange themes but pretty good book.... I don't know what else to say.

[Karen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Tom Jemmet is a widower and owns/manages a rundown motel n the small town of Rocket, WA located across the river from Hood River. He is raising his autistic 12-year-old daughter, Sienna, while trying to manage the motel and relationships in the community. As the summer progresses, the town suffers a downturn due to a lack of wind, which normally brings surfers to the nearby Columbia River. After a news story about unusual happenings to guests who stay in room 6 at the motel, Rocket is flooded with visitors who stir up town secrets and prejudices.
This book was just O.K. ... a little depressing at times.

[Margi · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read. So many secrets in this small town. A father struggles to make it at his failing hotel while dealing with his severely autistic daughter. A newspaper man writs a story to save the hotel and the town; it does bring in money, but there is more at stake. A town vet tries to find out some truths but in her search she finds loneliness. A beautiful story that will keep you turning pages. The characters are wonderful, the sense of place in the small town of Rocket is wonderful, the story is wonderful. Many lives will be changed forever during this summer in the town of Rocket, Washington.

[Ellen Thielen · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best book I've read in a long time! A small town that relies on wind for surfing tourism is languishing without it. The main character is the proprietor of the local hotel. His guests that stay in room #6 experience either great fortune or tragedy seemingly dependent on what kind of life they've led! Word gets out that it's a result of his severely autistic daughter and her deceased mother. The trials of special needs and peoples prejudices in a small town are well dealt with. An amazingly fast paced story....

[Claudia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Living in Oregon, near the lowest end of the Columbia River, it never came to mind that the communities up the Columbia River Gorge would rely on the wind for their survival. But it makes sense. Sharfeddin takes this concept and builds a story around it - what if one summer the wind ceased? And then she adds some characters, some tragedy, some social concerns, and mixes it all up and there you have it, a story. I have mixed feelings about the end...but, it's a writer's prerogative to end a story as they choose, so with that said, this is an entertaining read.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

A widowed man is trying to run an aging motel in a tourist town and raise his severely autistic daughter with no help. It becomes even more difficult the summer when the Northwest windsurfing town has no wind; therefore, no tourists. Secrets unfold about his motel and his life, and they kept me interested. I liked the book until the last chapter. Then it seemed as if another chapter was needed to make sense of it all.

[Jennifer · Rating 2 out of 5]

I picked up this book because of the name. As the wife of a kitesurfer, you know how desperate they get during a windless summer! Once I read the description and realized the book is set in the Columbia River Gorge, overlooking Mt. Hood, I was sold. The book itself was interesting, but not wonderful. There were parts that kept my interest, parts that I hated, and parts that I skimmed. I doubt I'll be running out to get another book by this author, unless it's just for the setting.

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A widower is trying to raise his severly autistic daughter and keep a failing motel business alive. Then strange coincidences begin to occur to patrons of Room # 6. The story gets national recognition and the town has to deal with the fall out. What is really behind #6 ? Great story with interesting characterization, twisting plot and some suspence. Must warn that it is somewhat depressing. Keeps the reader guessing as to what is REALLY going.

[Janell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I saw this book at Target and thought it would be a light summer read. It turned out to be a cross between a light summer read and a novel with a bit of an edge. I like the way the characters come across as a bit raw.

The storyline of the mysterious happenings in room 6 and the raw edges of some of the characters, as well as the ending, kept the book interesting. I see she's written two other books; I'm going to see what those are all about.

[Karina · Rating 3 out of 5]

saddest most depressing book I have ever read in my life, but still good!

a lot of people are saying that they did not enjoy the ending, however the ending is how the author meant it to be. the unasnwered questions, i believe, are left for the readers to contemplate and decide for themselves.

I did not mind the ending.. but i will say i deff would not read this book again. once was good enough!

[Richa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Really enjoyed the beginning of the book and the concept overall. 2 stars be because, while the book started out well and progressed well, the last quarter was a difficult read. I kept skimming through the pages and the end was incredibly disappointing. A good writer and I might change my rating after hearing her speak about the story at CBC at Tri Cities . She might provide insight that will help me understand.

[Carlei · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like non traditional endings, but this book felt like it ended in the middle of several still developing storylines. The author took time to develop characters and then they were just deemed insignificant at the end as she ignored them when drawing the book to a conclusion. Very odd. Decent read but not sure how I feel about the ending.

[crayolaab · Rating 2 out of 5]

I must admit I didn't love this book. The concept intrigued me - the setting and circumstances in particular - but the execution didn't do it for me. I did not really enjoy any of the characters, I spent most of the book wanting to shake various people and the ending was .. not entirely surprising, but at the same time not the sort of ending I enjoy.

[Alyson Coffman · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wasn't sure what to expect from the book, but I actually enjoyed it. It was a good, fast summer read. The author did a good job weaving together the characters and it was an interesting look at very different types of relationships (parent/child, friends, boyfriend/girlfriend). Although, I do wish there was more closure at the end of the book.