He owed a lot of people, but I was the only one left to collect. I told myself that I didn?t care about him, only about what he owed me, whatever t...
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reviews
Mar 29, 2011
Darcia
rated it: 
Craig Lancaster is the master of character-driven fiction. His writing feels effortless, though I know it's anything but. From the very first page, I was pulled into the world of Mitch Quillen, a man whose troubled relationship with his father has clouded every aspect of his adult life. He searches for answers, confronting his father and reliving his past. I was swept along with him, pulled by the power of Lancaster's words.
This book will make you feel and make you care. To the very More...
This book will make you feel and make you care. To the very More...
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(2 people liked it)
Apr 18, 2011
My review from the Missoula Independent:
After finishing The Summer Son, I began wandering my balcony (it's actually the roof, but I prefer to call it a balcony), wracked by two contradictory reactions at once, which, for a book reviewer, is not a good sign. My thoughts were:
1.) This is an unusually probing, terrifically paced character study;
2.) This is a hyperbolic, badly conceived novel.
I kept reminding myself that I would not begin a review on s More...
After finishing The Summer Son, I began wandering my balcony (it's actually the roof, but I prefer to call it a balcony), wracked by two contradictory reactions at once, which, for a book reviewer, is not a good sign. My thoughts were:
1.) This is an unusually probing, terrifically paced character study;
2.) This is a hyperbolic, badly conceived novel.
I kept reminding myself that I would not begin a review on s More...
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Jan 10, 2011
Jim
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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3 comments
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(2 people liked it)
Feb 20, 2011
Helene
rated it:
This is the kind of fiction I like.
It was fate for me to pick up "The Summer Son" and read it when I did. I gobbled up the whole book in 2-3 days because it was so riveting. The storyline, albeit about a father-son relationship that's been tense for many years, spoke to my own current life situation so much.
Most importantly, the protagonist, Mitch, was very realistic, and not annoying (I've had my share of fiction with annoying protagonists in the past 2 years+). I More...
It was fate for me to pick up "The Summer Son" and read it when I did. I gobbled up the whole book in 2-3 days because it was so riveting. The storyline, albeit about a father-son relationship that's been tense for many years, spoke to my own current life situation so much.
Most importantly, the protagonist, Mitch, was very realistic, and not annoying (I've had my share of fiction with annoying protagonists in the past 2 years+). I More...
Feb 04, 2011
Helen
rated it:
The Summer Son by Craig Lancaster, is about a man, Mitch Quillen, who decides he must settle things from his past in order to save his future. To do that, he’ll have to go back to confront his father and, if not make peace, then at least understand and accept the man that he ran away from.
The Summer Son is one of those books you might describe as an “onion.” It has many layers and bit by bit, the layers are peeled away down to the heart of the story.
Jim, the father in the st More...
The Summer Son is one of those books you might describe as an “onion.” It has many layers and bit by bit, the layers are peeled away down to the heart of the story.
Jim, the father in the st More...
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Dec 24, 2010
Eileen
rated it:
An Amazon Encore book. . .review soon. I liked it!
Mitch Quillen is battling a pre-mid-life crisis. He's fighting with his wife, his father is estranged but constantly calling the house, and his career is not so hot.
Craig Lancaster, in "The Summer Son," gives us a lot to think about in terms of our hopes, goals, dreams, and letting out the secrets that may hold us back. The past is the past, but we need to share it with others without playing the blame game.
More...
Mitch Quillen is battling a pre-mid-life crisis. He's fighting with his wife, his father is estranged but constantly calling the house, and his career is not so hot.
Craig Lancaster, in "The Summer Son," gives us a lot to think about in terms of our hopes, goals, dreams, and letting out the secrets that may hold us back. The past is the past, but we need to share it with others without playing the blame game.
More...
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(1 person liked it)
Mar 21, 2011
Elsa
rated it: 
Rate: 4/5
Favorite Quote: "You love them, don't you?".."I do." "You hang on, then. You hang on, and don't let go."
Cover: Not that amusing.
The Summer Son, by Craig Lancaster, is a story about Mitch Quillen, a husband, father, and son who finds himself struggling in all aspects of his life, including work. Mitch, raised by his divorced mother and hurt by his childhood memories of his summer vacations with his father, has gone on wi More...
Favorite Quote: "You love them, don't you?".."I do." "You hang on, then. You hang on, and don't let go."
Cover: Not that amusing.
The Summer Son, by Craig Lancaster, is a story about Mitch Quillen, a husband, father, and son who finds himself struggling in all aspects of his life, including work. Mitch, raised by his divorced mother and hurt by his childhood memories of his summer vacations with his father, has gone on wi More...
Jan 13, 2011
Christina
rated it:
I guess I will start with WOW!!! I normally read vampire/supernatural books. This has none of that in it and yet held my attention just as intently. I couldnt help but be amazed at the quality of writing in this novel. While there are skips through time it is all clearly defined so you can keep up. The charcters who are so wonderfully written reveal things to you at just the right pace to keep you intrigued and involved in the story. You come to care and grow attached to these charcters the more
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Mar 24, 2011
Maryann
rated it:
The Summer Son
Craig Lancaster
Paperback: 304 pages
Publisher: AmazonEncore (January 25, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1935597248
ISBN-13: 978-1935597247
Craig Lancaster has a knack for exploring relationships on all levels, and The Summer Son does that as well as any book out there.
Mitch Quillen has had a rocky relationship with his father that has dwindled into two phone calls a year and maybe two visits in 25 years. All of a sudden his More...
Craig Lancaster
Paperback: 304 pages
Publisher: AmazonEncore (January 25, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1935597248
ISBN-13: 978-1935597247
Craig Lancaster has a knack for exploring relationships on all levels, and The Summer Son does that as well as any book out there.
Mitch Quillen has had a rocky relationship with his father that has dwindled into two phone calls a year and maybe two visits in 25 years. All of a sudden his More...
Feb 08, 2011
Barbara
rated it:
I won this book through Goodreads and received an autographed copy - which was a great surprise. Not sure if I would've picked this book up if I had seen it in the book store, but was really glad that I had the opportunity to read it. Was an excellent read, quick and easy, but it certainly gave the reader a lot to think about as far as father/son relationships and how children perceive their parents - what they "think" they know versus what was real. How easy it is for a child to ma
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Feb 14, 2011
Page (One Book At A Time)
rated it:
Lancaster's debut novel 600 Hours of Edward was one of my favorite books of 2009. So, needless to say, I was more than happy to review his sophomore effort.
Lancaster creates characters that you can identify with. Mitch is no exception. I really felt his struggle with is wife and his battle to try to figure out the best way to save his marriage. I also felt his struggle with himself and the things he's burried so deep even he's not sure what exactly they are. But mos More...
Apr 07, 2011
Michael
rated it:
The Summer Son is partly the coming of age story of a boy’s troubled relationship with his difficult father. It’s also the parallel story, told thirty years later, of that same son trying to solve the mystery of who that father really is. Two timelines told in alternating chapters, the novel explores how family secrets resonate from one generation to the next, and ponders whether the truth really does set us free. It’s a haunting tale inside the lives of two unforgettable characters.
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May 15, 2011
Tom
rated it:
This was a hell of a read. A very dysfunctional relationship between father and son, a marriage in trouble. A story that goes back and forth between when the boy is eleven and visiting with his father for the summer and more than thirty years later, when he returns to see his father and get some answers about why their relationship is the way it is. A very dark, well written story. Highly recommended!
Oct 23, 2010
Sally
rated it:
In 600 HOURS OF EDWARD, Craig Lancaster gave us a sweet, lovely story of a man living with Asperger's Syndrome. In THE SUMMER SON, he gives us a beautifully written story of a man and his history with his difficult father. It's a wonderful story of love, hate and finally, redemption. What a great ride! If you love a good story that touches your heart in many places, you need go no further than THE SUMMER SON. I can't wait for Craig's next book!
Jan 19, 2011
Erin
rated it:
This book was unbelievable! The author's simple use of language mirrored the landscape of Montana and Utah where most of this book took place. The story is about a man and his estranged father...and the mystery of why they rarely speak. Haunting, this tale escalates as more and more information surfaces...the dramatic end will leave you thinking about this book for years to come.
Jan 23, 2012
Adrianne
rated it:
I think I read this book in one sitting. The story between father and son, through the years, rings tough and true. Lancaster has a way of painting realistic characters that become a part of the canvas of life. I laughed, I cried, and I couldn't put it down. Bravo!
Jul 14, 2011
Jen
rated it: 
I had a difficult relationship with my (now deceased) father, so this book struck a chord with me. I wanted to rescue Mitch so many times throughout the book, but I'm glad he got an ending that made him understand, even though it wasn't an ending that made me happy.
Feb 11, 2011
Carol
rated it:
Great read. If this guy is a new writer then I anxiously await his future efforts. The story has so many layers that could easily lose a reader, but he handles it all brilliantly, holding your interest up to the very last words. Well done.
Feb 02, 2011
Natalie
rated it:
Craig Lancaster does not disappoint readers with his second novel The Summer Son. A powerful, moving story that is intense at times and keeps the readers attention the whole way through.
The story begins with Mitch as an adult, receiving mysterious phone calls from his dad. His life is in a quandary and spiraling fast out of control. After much deliberation with his wife, he goes to his dad to find the missing puzzle pieces to the jigsaw of his life.
Throughout the story, th More...
The story begins with Mitch as an adult, receiving mysterious phone calls from his dad. His life is in a quandary and spiraling fast out of control. After much deliberation with his wife, he goes to his dad to find the missing puzzle pieces to the jigsaw of his life.
Throughout the story, th More...
Sep 13, 2011
Reese
rated it:
I love great writing. Fortunately Craig Lancaster is chock-full of great writing.
Unfortunately I tried to read The Summer Son when going to bed and ended up finishing it on the couch at 3:30a because I couldn't stop in the middle.
A moving story of unexpected reconciliation. I loved it.
Unfortunately I tried to read The Summer Son when going to bed and ended up finishing it on the couch at 3:30a because I couldn't stop in the middle.
A moving story of unexpected reconciliation. I loved it.
Apr 18, 2011
Guna
rated it:
A man, virtually estranged from his father for 30 years, goes to see him and revisits his past, learning some terrible truths before finally reconciling. This was a great book - I couldn't put it down.
Feb 10, 2011
Chris
rated it:
Some of the best developed characters I've read in recent memory. I was sorry for the book to come to an end. The author reaches deeply into himself to help us build out a very rich emotional connection to the characters. Not just an enjoyable read, but also a catalyst for self-examination for those willing to pause and reflect.
Oct 03, 2011
Kaye
rated it:
If you like reflecting on how people's past affect their today 's
This is an interesting book.
This is an interesting book.
Dec 24, 2011
Susan
rated it:
A gripping story that is well-told. Makes me appreciate my parents even more!
Apr 02, 2011
Rona
rated it:
Enjoyed this one as much as 600 Hours of Edward! Looking forward to more!
Mar 17, 2011
Diane
rated it:
I really liked The Summer Son. It had great character development and was an enjoyable read. Craig is a great story teller. I look forward to his next book.
May 11, 2011
Nan
rated it:
I really enjoyed this book - my first loaned Kindle book. Very moving story.
