Seventeenth Summer

Rating:
Summary: I beg to differ
Review: "Today this classic is enjoyed by many who think of it as the quintessential love story..."

This quote talks about Maureen Daly's 1942 Seventeenth Summer, and judging from that, I thought it would be a marvelous, riveting love story. Well, I beg to differ. The opening page starts off really well as the narrator, seventeen-year-old Angeline Morrow, talks about how she can't really explain her love for Jack Duluth, the eighteen year old boy she fell in love with that fateful summer (June to August). One day, Jack and Angie meet, and they start to talk. Along with Jack's friend, they go sailboating one evening, and that is the first time the two share hints of intimacy. Jack pours his heart out to Angie (on the first date!), and it is a serene scene.

From that sweet, tender moment, the book's storyline fades along with any interest that I had for the book. The novel continues with a little side-story about Angie's older sister Lorraine who dates a newcomer city-slick boy who never really returns her feelings of affection. In Angie's tale, she just continues to go out on dates with Jack and his friends, and his friends even drink and smoke (things that Angie doesn't do). The dialogue is flat and uninteresting, and if Jack says, "Gee, Angie" one more time, I will go insane. His friends aren't that interesting and developed, considering they are (I should say "were" because they have all graduated) the "popular" group in high school.

Jack and Angie do not share many intimate, tender moments, which is a disappointment. One would think they would do more than just talk about the same things over and over again and hold hands every now and then. Sure, Angie writes about her feelings for Jack, but they don't really say or do much to provoke a reader's interest in the story. The ending is supposed to be sad and poignant, and one moment -did- make me catch my breath, but other than that, it did not do much to stir my emotions.

One thing that I do find worthy is the non-dating parts when Angie describes about her feelings/surroundings. Daly does a nice job here because it sounds a little like descriptive diary "entries."

I know this book was written in the 1940s--many older people have grown up with this, and times have changed, but I still think this book is a little dull compared to the works of today. Maybe when I'm older and I have a daughter of my own, I'll be able to appreciate this. But as for now, I am returning this book to the library.

Rating:
Summary: Simply Beautiful
Review: Earlier this summer I picked up Seventeenth Summer and fell in love with the illustraious characters Daly has perfectly painted into her novel. It surprised me, however, when I checked the copyright date and noticed it was published in the early 1940's. I had absolutely no idea, considering the way love is truly timeless and this beautiful novel proves all of the above. As a high school student, I can completly relate with the giddy feelings of first love for a teenage girl and this novel perfectly portrays all of the emotions, trials and even tragedies that are intricated into such a powerful emotion. Summer is such a perfect time to begin the story and Daly has perfected the beautiful feelings of love in such a wonderful season. While reading other reviews featured for this book, it amazed me that so many different people of all walks of life could relate to this book, even with someone of my own age! I defiently recommened it, like I have with friends, family and even teachers at school. Pick it up- it won't be a novel you won't soon forget, I promise.

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful book
Review: I totally agree with kymissy and smiled when I read she has re-read this book every year for thirty years. Me, too! I absolutely treasure the time capsule that is this book. And yes, the contemporary covers jarringly clash with the 50's mood of the book so you truly can't judge recent reprints by their covers! This book is written with such effortless detail that you find yourself living the story and never forgetting the progress of love and coming-of-age. A real treasure -- simple but profound.

Rating:
Summary: Seventeeth Summer
Review: My boss (at a library) gave me this book to read to make sure it was appropriate for our young adult section. It's very light reading, but I was expecting so much more from all the positive reviews I had read.

The main characters, Angie and Jack, fall in love with eachother after a few weeks of knowing eachother. I found the plot to be a little too contrived... they "fall in love" after a handful of dates, but the story is lacking any intimate moments between the two characters. I feel that the book is more a boring description of how Angie feels she ought to feel about Jack, than about the actual relationship itself. The book was very dull and a lot of parts were uneccesary to the storyline.

I only gave this book 2 stars because it kept me reading to see if anything would ever happen. If you are looking for a light happy teen romance, look elsewhere.

Rating:
Summary: Attention Please!
Review: Seventeenth Summer by: Maureen Daly

This story, written by Maureen Daly, is mostly based on the usual , girl falls in love with cute boy story and takes place the summer before leaving for college. You can mostly imagine what it would be like meeting and giving away your heart then having to leave. All this happens to the young main character in the story, Angeline Morrow.

In my opinion this story is like "oh ......would you like some bread with that butter!?!" and what I am trying to say is "would you like some story with that detail?". This book seems like it has a little too much detail and examples for every word, which kind of threw me off the subject a lot. I had to go back and re-read a cupple of times and it got pretty boring, also it didn't have a very happy ending, but in ways it was a cute book and would probably make an interesting film.

Rating:
Summary: Seventeenth Summer
Review: Seventeenth Summer by: Maureen Daly

This story, written by Maureen Daly, is mostly based on the usual , girl falls in love with cute boy story and takes place the summer before leaving for college. You can mostly imagine what it would be like meeting and giving away your heart then having to leave. All this happens to the young main character in the story, Angeline Morrow.

In my opinion this story is like "oh ......would you like some bread with that butter!?!" and what I am trying to say is "would you like some story with that detail?". This book seems like it has a little too much detail and examples for every word, which kind of threw me off the subject a lot. I had to go back and re-read a cupple of times and it got pretty boring, also it didn't have a very happy ending, but in ways it was a cute book and would probably make an interesting film.

Rating:
Summary: Not Chick Lit
Review: Seventeenth Summer really should come with an advisory label or a more classic cover so that readers will know this is essentially a junior literary novel vs. a modern teen romance. Otherwise in terms of judging the book against contemporary situations and values, yes, it might seem uneventful and even boring. However, if you want a study of strong emotions and quiet intensities set in pre-World War II America, this novel is wonderful. Maureen Daly's narrator Angie Morrow has such a subtly sensual way of describing things that she makes small moments, nuances and gestures seem lovely. The description of Fond du Lac and the passing of summer too are extraordinary and heady in detail. I read this book at age 12 and it inspired me to become a writer myself, and I can still see its influence in the novels I've published. The sense of innocence and potential in the story are almost poignant, and while the plot may seem simple, just like with Angie's narration, still waters run deep.


Rating:
Summary: Attention Please!
Review: The cover and the blurb on this back of this book set you up for a timeless romance. When I bought it, I couldn't wait to get started. After reading only a few pages of the book, I realized that I had made a terrible mistake. This book is COMPLETELY boring. Angie is a shy girl, growing up in the 1940s, that is very niave when it comes to relationships. She is also rude and harsh on the boy that she claims to have "strong feelings about." She completely overreacts when he is having dinner with her family and accidently bumps his spoon against his teeth. What time period did I say this was set in? The 1500s? The book is full of what Angie believes to be bad situations when in reality they were are frivilous. On top of boring plot, all the undeveloped narrator can talk about is nature, nature, nature and how her sisters are fixing their hair. Boring. I would only recommend this book to twelve year old girls: they are old enough to understand the vocabulary and young enough to appreciate the VERY innocent romance.

Rating:
Summary: Great Love Story For All Age Groups!
Review: This book is a great book for teenagers and adults alike to read. It grabs your attention with stories of the romance filled relationship that Angie and Jack share. At first Angie never thought she would have a chance with the fabulous, gorgeous football player from her high school. Well, after they graduate, Angie is in for a big surprise. She soon gets a visit from Jack and finds out that he is single and "hint hint" he wants her to go boating with him! She is so excited that she gladly agrees to go. She has the best time of her life and falls head over heels for him. As you read all of the hardships they go through together as a couple, you will be drawn into the story. As I read this book it felt as though I was there with them on the boat and in Pete's and McKnight's. When Jane Rady shows up I feel as though I am Angie sitting there drinking my Coke as Jack dances with Jane. As the summer ends, Jack and Angie have to face the fact that Angie is going to college and they will have to seperate. Just as you start to think it is over between Jack and Angie, Mrs. Daly adds a little twist to the story's plot.( You'll have to read the book to find out what I am talking about.) Maureen Daly has wrote a wonderful tale of true love and friendship. I recommend you to read this book. If you love to read love stories and love books that draw you into the plot, then you will love this book. You won't regret it. I promise.

Rating:
Summary: A Drag
Review: When i bought this book I thought it would be full of jucie love. But i was really about this girl who was going off to college and had never had never kissed a guy before. Too add on to that she never had a boyfriend before. I kept wondering when something good was going to happen but it never did. Angie was very shy she and never told her boyfriend anything. It was boring. You might like this book if you were shelterd and have no life.