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Rating: 
Summary: a "page turner" but a disappointing ending
Review: Even though I really enjoyed reading "This Never Happened" (after reading the other reviews, it made it all the more interesting to find that it was based on truth) I was disappointed with the ending....almost as disappointed as "Bev" when "Jack" didn't hit "Richard" when he confronted his father with the past. Ms. Summers built my hopes up that the devil was going to get his due, but actually got off easy. Even though I am not a fan of sequels or prequels, I can't help but wonder what was the basis for Jack's behavior, and whether or not that would make for good reading. A fast-paced book, I felt it did develop the characters enough to keep you wondering while reading, and tied them altogether in the end. But the ending for "Richard" was tied together in too neat a package....the parents got off too easy with that ending.
Rating:
Summary: Cruising Down Denial
Review: I didn't know when I read this book that it was based on a true story, and that the "Hayes" family really exists. What a shame. I can't imagine having to live with a family like this. But as far as a novel goes, E.W. Summers has constructed a strong narrative, told from the viewpoint of Richard Corey Hayes. He's the brother to a woman who murders her abusive husband. Claire is her name, and due to this murder, Richard spins a story of a family that would make anyone's skin crawl. Not only is one of the parents extremely abusive and sexually perverted, the other parent takes delight in watching the perversion go on. There's also a gay brother, Max, and a runaway sister, Elizabeth, and a deceased sister, Tina, who committed suicide as her means of escape. Ms. Summers moves between the present narrative into flashback episodes very smoothly, and the book has a haunting quality. I find it hard to really like any of the characters, although I wouldn't be human, if I didn't admit I felt pity for them. Even though the happy ending seems a bit contrived, and the just desserts are not meted out, at least it keeps the novel from being a real, real downer. Ms. Summers first novel demonstrates a great talent; let's hope her next novel is NOT based on any dysfunctional families. It's comparison to "Prince of Tides" is irrelevant when one considers the story is based on true facts. Michael Butts
Rating:
Summary: Cruising Down Denial
Review: I didn't know when I read this book that it was based on a true story, and that the "Hayes" family really exists. What a shame. I can't imagine having to live with a family like this. But as far as a novel goes, E.W. Summers has constructed a strong narrative, told from the viewpoint of Richard Corey Hayes. He's the brother to a woman who murders her abusive husband. Claire is her name, and due to this murder, Richard spins a story of a family that would make anyone's skin crawl. Not only is one of the parents extremely abusive and sexually perverted, the other parent takes delight in watching the perversion go on. There's also a gay brother, Max, and a runaway sister, Elizabeth, and a deceased sister, Tina, who committed suicide as her means of escape. Ms. Summers moves between the present narrative into flashback episodes very smoothly, and the book has a haunting quality. I find it hard to really like any of the characters, although I wouldn't be human, if I didn't admit I felt pity for them. Even though the happy ending seems a bit contrived, and the just desserts are not meted out, at least it keeps the novel from being a real, real downer. Ms. Summers first novel demonstrates a great talent; let's hope her next novel is NOT based on any dysfunctional families. It's comparison to "Prince of Tides" is irrelevant when one considers the story is based on true facts. Michael Butts
Rating: 
Summary: The Title Refers to the Climax
Review: I really wanted to like this book and at times found myself engrossed in it. However, though purportedly based on real events, this book prodded on slowly to the obvious "self revelation" which was hinted at early in the book. The underlying themes of self-denial and family dysfunctionality never veer from the expected. Okay so it is "based on a true event". I, unlike some others on this page, am not asking for revenge at the end. Unfortunately, though, the totally unimaginative approach of this book led me at last to not really care what happened to Richard. E.W. may next time instead choose the lecture circuit or discuss the matter with a therapist
Rating:
Summary: The Title Refers to the Climax
Review: I really wanted to like this book and at times found myself engrossed in it. However, though purportedly based on real events, this book prodded on slowly to the obvious "self revelation" which was hinted at early in the book. The underlying themes of self-denial and family dysfunctionality never veer from the expected. Okay so it is "based on a true event". I, unlike some others on this page, am not asking for revenge at the end. Unfortunately, though, the totally unimaginative approach of this book led me at last to not really care what happened to Richard. E.W. may next time instead choose the lecture circuit or discuss the matter with a therapist
Rating:
Summary: Psychologically interesting
Review: I recently had the pleasure of being taught by E.W. Summers at the Sewanee Young Writers Conference in the summer of 2001. Ms. Summers is an excellent teacher, and when I started her novel it was hard to put down and I finished it in three days. I have not read The Prince of Tides, so I cannot compare the two; but I found this to be an interesting account of an extremely dysfunctional family with a sordid past and the ramification of those events through the oldest son. While the ending was a bit of a let-down, I found it to be more realistic, and the confrontation was not supposed to be Richard's revenge, it was the psychological aspect of it that was important for him. Can't wait to read what comes next from E.W. Summers.
Rating: 
Summary: a powerful story based on real events.
Review: I was very moved by this novel, especially since it is based on actual true events. Richard was a close friend of mine growing up! E. W. has left many clues to those who knew the family. The parents were as strict as in the story, but their true evil was hidden from everyone. There is much talk around Waterton about this dark past. The Dr. did have a history of malpractice. I was very shocked to discover what really happened at the farm. I was at the farm on one ocassion and 37 Brookfield often. My hat goes off to E. W. for the courage to tell it!
Rating:
Summary: Ill-considered copy of Prince of Tides
Review: Sorry to disagree with the reviews but this is just a copy of Prince of Tides and poorly written at that. It is predictable from beginning to end and no explanation is given for the father's behavior. The general knowledge that this is, however loosely, based on a real family combined with Summers' too vague attempt at disguising the locality of the farm and "Waterton" has terribly hurt real people where I live near the farm.
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