The Summer of Lily and Esme

by John Quinn

With the help of a new friend, and some friendly grown-ups, Alan unearths the story of another summer seventy years before and is at last able to give his new friends their dearest wish.

228 pages, Paperback

First published October 31, 1991

About the author

John Quinn is a much-loved broadcaster and radio producer who was the recipient of numerous prestigious radio awards during his twenty-five years with RTÉ. He is also an accomplished author and writer of fiction and non-fiction, including 'Letters to Olive', an intimate and inspiring book, written as a tribute to his late wife. A skilful and engaging storyteller, his children’s novel, The Summer of Lily and Esme, was described as an instant classic and won the 1992 Bisto Children Book of the Year. John Quinn lives in Clarinbridge, Co. Galway.

Reviews

[Ann Murray · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book at school almost 20 years , it stayed with me i love this book, its funny, sad and heart warming and every child should read it!!!!!

[Mary Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A simply beautiful book that is just as pertinent and accessible for young people today as it was when it was written 29 years ago. The gentle and insightful adventure and mystery, the family dynamics, the sense of history and its' shadow of memory make this a thoughtful, yet dynamic read. The growing friendship between two old women and a 12-year-old boy is truly moving. Filled with joy, wonderful buts of humour, considerate of the passage of time, this is one everyone should read. A classic.

[Lily · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book, I read it for my English Project in school and from then on it has been my favorite book!

[Mary-Bridget · Rating 5 out of 5]

I remember reading this book in school and being completely moved and entranced by it. For a number of reasons I wanted to return to it as an adult and I am delighted to say it has lost none of its charm. John Quinn's writing is warm and evocative, without being maudlin. It's a throwback to the Victorian writers, who saw no reason to write childishly for children and, in so doing, explores issues like age, isolation and loss simply and without unnecessary ornamentation.

The Summer of Lily and Esme is also important to me for other, sentimental reasons - it was the book that first introduced me to Francis Ledwidge and the Wart Poets. With my current work on WWI, it seemed appropriate to dip back into the book that started me down this road and find it still moves me all these years later :-)

[Jaide · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I worked on a farm in Ireland (thanks, WWOOF), this was on the shelf of the family I stayed with. I didn’t get a chance to read it then, so it was a pleasure to finally get my hands on it.

I really liked the main character. He was a bit of an introvert, but not afraid to take chances. I did feel his friendship more with the old men who taught him how to cut peat than with the titular old ladies. Nevertheless, it was a sweet story and I’ll be looking up more by this author.

Similar in taste to:
-Something Invisible by Siobhán Parkinson
-Tom’s Midnight Garden by Philippa Pearce

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an all time favourite, the story has stayed with me despite reading it when it first was published. I loved it then and wish I could read it again now for the first time! I have since passed my copy down to my niece and hope she enjoys it as much as I did! I cannot recommend this book enough!!

[Jade · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book years ago and I decided to pick it up again for the booktubeathon. I am so glad I did as it is funny, heartwarming and mysterious. A really enjoyable read

[Cortney Westhoff-O'Farrell · Rating 4 out of 5]

An alright read aloud, though another insight into life in Ireland.

[Danny · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.25

Forced to read for school :/