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The End of Summer
Twenty-two-year-old Summer is a force to be reckoned with. She's funny, she's stubborn, she's clever, and she's very opinionated on life as a Millennial Muslim woman. The only problem is that she is dead.
When her younger sister, Sara, finds Summer's lifeless body on their bathroom floor, Summer can only watch as a devastated Sara calls the rest of her family to announce her death. With no way back to her body and no idea how she died, Summer remains a helpless observer as members of her devoted, dysfunctional family come back home to bury her - and her secrets.
As Summer pieces together the events of the night before, she starts unravelling her whole the fabric of her British-Omani-Zanzibari family, the culture clashes, the depression that dogged her for years, and the childhood trauma that changed her forever...
Riveting and heart-breaking, Summer's haunting story is one you will never forget.
When her younger sister, Sara, finds Summer's lifeless body on their bathroom floor, Summer can only watch as a devastated Sara calls the rest of her family to announce her death. With no way back to her body and no idea how she died, Summer remains a helpless observer as members of her devoted, dysfunctional family come back home to bury her - and her secrets.
As Summer pieces together the events of the night before, she starts unravelling her whole the fabric of her British-Omani-Zanzibari family, the culture clashes, the depression that dogged her for years, and the childhood trauma that changed her forever...
Riveting and heart-breaking, Summer's haunting story is one you will never forget.
- GenresContemporary
286 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 23, 2022
4 people are currently reading
141 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
April 22, 2023
Touches on difficult but important topics
January 4, 2024
Mais do que perceber porque Summer morreu, o retrato de sociedade dos Emirados Árabes Unidos está vivido e bem feito.
October 25, 2022
I couldn't put this book down!! It is so good and was so captivating! Beautiful writing Salha!
January 25, 2023
Amazing read.
Can’t recommend this book enough!
Can’t recommend this book enough!
August 19, 2023
I loved this book…. It made me laugh and it made me cry. Having lived in Oman for many years it does represent things rather well. The family on the one hand is so supportive and will do all that they can for each other in times of need… but they do also gossip. As a young person it is difficult to balance the need to be respectful and the need to ask for help on issues that would be frowned upon. I think this book shows us that we need to take that leap of faith and speak up and out, especially to the younger generation who might feel that they won’t get help but rather be chastised.
January 25, 2023
A real page turner. Descriptive , eloquently written , covering delicate issues with wit . Cry and laugh out load moments throughout.
March 4, 2023
I could barely put it down and I chuckled a lot throughout. Loved it and highly recommend it! Lots of resonance.
March 26, 2023
Did the audio book for this one. Absolutely loved the narration, I couldn’t put it down. I didn’t know what to expect at the end but it kept me captivated. I cried and laughed.
July 10, 2023
I struggle in rating this book.
It is really captivating and touches on very important topics and emotions.
But it is extremely vulgar. I would have ignored the constant swearing assuming it as part of the character personality but it kept getting worse and worse in terms of being sexual and rude.
Maybe the author felt it necessary in order to represent Summer's state of mind, however, to me I feel this prevents me from recommending it to many people I think will love/relate to her experience.
In fact, I bought it for my bookstore but I am hesitant in selling it as I know parents will be appalled knowing their kids read something like this. And no, it is not about censoring and hiding the truth, it is about the language used is offensive culturally and the same story could have been said in a better vocabulary which would reach more people and educate them about these sensitive and important topics.
I guess, the author had the western audience in mind more than the eastern. But even then I have read countless English novels and honestly this is still high in terms of its vulgarness.
My review is a huge rant because I fell in love with the story and I was excited to recommend to everyone, but I grew skeptical with every new page I read.
It is really captivating and touches on very important topics and emotions.
But it is extremely vulgar. I would have ignored the constant swearing assuming it as part of the character personality but it kept getting worse and worse in terms of being sexual and rude.
Maybe the author felt it necessary in order to represent Summer's state of mind, however, to me I feel this prevents me from recommending it to many people I think will love/relate to her experience.
In fact, I bought it for my bookstore but I am hesitant in selling it as I know parents will be appalled knowing their kids read something like this. And no, it is not about censoring and hiding the truth, it is about the language used is offensive culturally and the same story could have been said in a better vocabulary which would reach more people and educate them about these sensitive and important topics.
I guess, the author had the western audience in mind more than the eastern. But even then I have read countless English novels and honestly this is still high in terms of its vulgarness.
My review is a huge rant because I fell in love with the story and I was excited to recommend to everyone, but I grew skeptical with every new page I read.
October 3, 2023
Could not put this down! I did the audio book and Salha’s emotion, when she reads this to you, is simply perfect. I can listen to her all day.
Very difficult topics, very funny, very clever, very familiar and relatable issues…. this book had everything.
Some of the chapters were so moving, accompanied by Salha’s incredible reading voice - made it almost cinematic. The VULGARITIES that Summer faced were written perfectly, to illustrate some of the harsh truths that exist in our lives.
10/10. Everyone needs to read this.
Very difficult topics, very funny, very clever, very familiar and relatable issues…. this book had everything.
Some of the chapters were so moving, accompanied by Salha’s incredible reading voice - made it almost cinematic. The VULGARITIES that Summer faced were written perfectly, to illustrate some of the harsh truths that exist in our lives.
10/10. Everyone needs to read this.
January 27, 2023
This book is a must-read!
Once I received my copy, I barely could put it down - Summer’s family and own history, entangled in Zanzibari and Omani history, was so captivating. Her story makes one reflect a lot, on family dynamics, trauma, value of life and more - this book deals with so many heavy subjects in such an amazing way, it never bores nor lectures, but it does make you want to read more from the same author!
Once I received my copy, I barely could put it down - Summer’s family and own history, entangled in Zanzibari and Omani history, was so captivating. Her story makes one reflect a lot, on family dynamics, trauma, value of life and more - this book deals with so many heavy subjects in such an amazing way, it never bores nor lectures, but it does make you want to read more from the same author!
August 31, 2023
What a book! It took me through the whole gamut of emotions. I'd find myself sitting there frowning, laughing out loud and sometimes welling up.
The end of Summer deals with some really tough topics and confronts them head on. Struggles I've never had to deal with, but now have more of an appreciation for.
I won't ruin any of the twists and turns, but suffice to say, everyone should read this book!
The end of Summer deals with some really tough topics and confronts them head on. Struggles I've never had to deal with, but now have more of an appreciation for.
I won't ruin any of the twists and turns, but suffice to say, everyone should read this book!
January 26, 2023
A brilliant read! Both heartbreaking and heartbreakingly funny! The writer transports you into another world of cultural and generational differences but ones that somehow we can all relate to. Thoroughly recommend 😊
January 10, 2023
Summer deserved a better, horrifying death!!!💀💀
January 25, 2023
Fantastic read, the writing really draws you into the story of Summer and builds to an unexpected ending. Highly recommended!
January 25, 2023
Soo well written. A story that covers many sensitive moments and I know we can all relate to not just one. Brilliant, couldn’t put it down. Recommend to everyone.
June 17, 2024
This book goes deep but with a lightness and sense of humour. A compelling tale of pain, family secrets and growing up.
December 16, 2023
What a great read! Also, great audio book! Salha has taken astute observations she's made about life, faith, and family and woven them eloquently into this beautifully written novel. Yes, there are difficult themes in the book. Yes, strong language is used. But the writing is excellent, and the story is outstanding... So read it.
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January 22, 2023This book made me laugh and cry. The End of Summer was both joyful and powerful in its honesty. Love the POV in the book - a unique way to tell a story and especially in this cultural context.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews