My Summer with Julia

by Sarah Woodhouse

Portrait artist Annie Somerville is living a happy life in the English country with her husband David and teenage children Sam and Gina. She just received a new commission, and her biggest worry is whether or not her mother-in-law is visiting for Easter.

Then she receives a letter from France telling her that her childhood friend Julia has died, leaving Annie a box which she must come to Toulouse to fetch. Memories come flooding back of their summers spent vacationing with Julia's her mother Judith and young brothers Tim and Georgie.

Upon her return from Toulouse, Annie is troubled. She can't seem to get her paintings to go the way she wants, she is avoiding her agent, David has been called away on business, and more and more troubling memories are overwhelming her as she sorts through the letters, photos and memorabilia in the box. What exactly is it that Annie fought so hard to forget about that last summer? Why did Julia disappear from Annie's life 30 years ago? And what will happen to Annie if she remembers?

Genres: Fiction

182 pages, Hardcover

First published May 25, 2000

About the author

Sarah Woodhouse was born on 1950 in Birmingham, England, UK. She grew up in Cambridgeshire and attended St Mary's convent school before studying for a Bachelor of Arts in Medieval English at Reading University.

Sarah is the author of numerous short stories, many of which were published in 19 magazine in the 1970s, and 9 romance novels from 1984 to 2000. In 1989, her novel The Peacock's Feather won the Romantic Novel of the Year Award by the Romantic Novelists' Association.

Reviews

[Megan · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this book because it was recommended by Rosamunde Pilcher, an author I like. However, I was disappointed in both this and in Meeting Lily, the other recommended title.

Pilcher also recommends Mary Sheepshanks, and I have enjoyed all of her books. If you want good cozy English "women's fiction," I would opt for Sheepshanks over Woodhouse.

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

What I understand of this book from what I see heer makes it seem quite trite. Nothing seems trite about it. I find it very provocative and it takes me back in memory to my own childhood friends and the meaningfulness of some of those relationships. I love Woodhouse's style, and will read her more as a result of this experience. It compels me to write my own stories once again.

[Kayjmeckes · Rating 3 out of 5]

A pretty quick read, this novel is pleasant, nicely written and an interesting glimpse to the thinking of an artist. A good story line. But nothing really catchy here. Not a "wow" book; just a pleasant and a bit catchy plot. Glad I read it, but it won't go down in history.

[Amanda Drysdale · Rating 1 out of 5]

Very anti-climatic, almost boring. There was no emotion in the writing or the characters.

[Laura · Rating 1 out of 5]

Couldn't get myself to finish this book. I found myself skipping sentences - paragraphs where the plot sequence would continue. Then I just gave up.

[Julia Rogers]

Great passage .......

"Life is so much easier when nature arranges the prioritites. It's making choices that wear us down and then wondering if they were the right ones.'

[Carolin · Rating 1 out of 5]

I had to force myself to read this book....