Summer Sisters

Rating:
Summary: find something else worthwhile!
Review: After reading this book over a year ago, I still remember what a waste of my time I felt it was!

I am very disappointed to still see this with so many stars. And am also disappointed to see people list it on their lists of favorite books!

I only hope that there are sane people out there who also will agree with me. Try Jubilee by Margaret Walker for a good example. I have shared this wonderful story with many relatives and friends. This is what good writing and reading is about!

Rating:
Summary: Quick summer read
Review: Though not the most challenging book it was quite nice a quick read on a hot summer day. There was too much sex for my liking and some of the characters were not developed yet I could not put the book down. I was a bit disappointed in Blume's novel after recalling the wonderful times in my adolescence when I curled up with her books. Also, I've been reading the reviews of some and am shocked to see 14 year old girls reading this book. I myself am only 21 yet the material in this novel is not appropriate for such a young age. My suggestion? 16 and older only.

Rating:
Summary: Summe Sisters Lacks Substance
Review: Summer Sisters was my first Judy Blume book, and after reading it, I am happy that I avoided reading any of her work during my adolescence.This book was extremely disappointing! There was no beauty in the langauage; the plot was utterly predictable; the characters were cliches and thoroughly unlikable. I also found the many sex scenes superfluous and crassly written. As a middle school teacher, I certainly hope that Ms. Blume's young adult literature is of higher quality than her first "adult" novel, Summer Sisters.

Rating:
Summary: An Entertaining Read
Review: This book is certainly entertaining, if not engrossing. And it certainly has the power to take you back to your childhood and to your teens, though I agree with another reviewer that the college years and beyond are a little underdeveloped.

I'd say, read the book, enjoy the book, but don't look for any wisdom in it. Vix's benefits from her 'friendship' with Caitlin came mostly from the resulting relationship with Lamb and especially Abby, who really turned Vix's life around, though she mistakenly attributes this to "Caitlin Somers, the Most Influential Person in My Life" [by the way, I can't believe that such a lousy essay would exactly wow an Ivy League admissions board -- Vix should have written about Nathan]. Vix's 'friendship' is really a sad obsession with a destructive personality. Vix devoted herself to Caitlin despite the repeated betrayals, only to find that neither she nor anyone else, especially Caitlin, really knew who Caitlin was.

I didn't need tissues at the ending, and I didn't think that it was tragic. I was glad for Vix. She needed to let go. With friends like Caitlin, who needs enemies?

Rating:
Summary: Great Book
Review: I could not put the book down, at times I could not believe what I was reading, the story line was a little crazy at times, which made it even more interesting.

Rating:
Summary: A beautiful coming-of-age story...it's so real
Review: This is my new favorite book..it's beautifully nostalgic, and although I'm only sixteen myself it made me feel nostalgic about my own life, friendships, relationships, family..Judy Blume portrays the beauty of female friendship, and unconditional love, in this completely unpretentious and very real way. I loved the detailed descriptions of summers in the vineyard, watching the characters grow with each other. Of course you have to be mature enough to handle the descriptive sexual content, but it is written sensitively and realistically. I particularly enjoyed the excerpts where the story was told through the point of view of different characters, which added depth and perspective on the intertwining lives of all the people surrounding Vix and Caitlin. This book is indescribable, but you will be left with a feeling of completeness (and a bit of sadness, but the good kind) when you finish.

Rating:
Summary: OK for a light read, but I expect more from Blume - shallow
Review: I debated over 1 and 2 stars but decided on 2 since I've read much worse than this. But can this be by the same woman who wrote *Deenie* and *Tiger Eyes* (one of my all-time favorites)? I always admired Blume's ability to convey character and emotions well while at the same time keeping the reading level low and using lots of dialogue. Great for getting kids to read. This book is written at the same low reading level, but where's her usual depth?

Here are two "summer sisters." Vix and Caitlin (minor annoyance - "Caitlin" is too trendy a name for someone born in 1965) are supposed to have this incredible friendship, but I never get a sense of this friendship. Why are they close? What is the substance of this bond that keeps Vix concerned about Caitlin during all those years after high school when they never see each other? Couldn't Blume have employed her young-adult writing style in the section in which they were teenagers to get me to believe that they've got a close bond? And to show the dynamics in their relationship that lead to Vix's later ambivalence, the "betrayals," and the fate of Caitlin? If she'd done that, I could have better believed and appreciated what followed.

Many reviewers have already expressed much of what else I might say, so I'll just mention something that made me cringe: the forced effort to "set" the book into the late '70s to mid '90s. If you are going to "set" a story, there should be a reason for it. I felt that the setting of this novel was hammered into my head. And, if it needed to be, it would have beem more fun if there weren't so many cliched culture markers, like the reference to their watching *thirtysomething.* Worst of all were the part headings. "Dancing Queen"? "Rapture"? "We Are the World"? "Didn't We Almost Have it All"? and "Steal the Night"? Of the part headings, only "Dancing Queen" and "Rapture" have any relevance to the content. Yes, "We are the World" was popular in the timeframe described, but it had nothing to do with the plot. "Didn't we almost have it all?" was so contrived (and was in no way a major defining song of that time period). The part headings had the effect of making the book seem cheesy. (I must admit that I don't know the song "Steal the Night," so that reference is missed on me.)

I did enjoy *Wifey* and *Smart Women* and disagree that Blume should stick to writing children's stories. (Not that there's anything wrong with that - writing children's stories takes a lot of talent.) So, I expected this book to be at least as good as those. Needless to say, I was disappointed.

Rating:
Summary: A true master piece
Review: This is the type of book that you could read numerous times. Judy Bloom does an amazing job portraying the characters and their lives. I recommend this book to anyone!

Rating:
Summary: This is the best book i have ever read!
Review: This book is about Victioria(Vix) and Caitlin who become summer sisters at the Vineyard. They become very close, discovering lots of sex and many other things. Each summer they come back to the vineyard and spend all their time together. Vix even comes back to stay with Caitlin's family when she leaves to venture the world. Even after all the pain Caitlin has given her through the years, Vix still can not leave her summer sister. This is the greatest book ever and i recommend it to everyone that likes books from Judy Blume.

Rating:
Summary: A great story of friendship!
Review: I have always been a fan of Judy Blume. "Summer Sisters" a great book it gives you a look into two very different girls in two different worlds who become not only best friends but summer sisters. The main characters Vix and Caitlin view the world from very different perspectives. They envy what each of them has. For Vix she envys Caitlin's money and Caitlin envys Vix family. You read what everybody is thinking and feeling from different characters which makes the book even more interesting. Although I will say the end of the book was rushed the reading was worthwhile. It gave you everthing including family, sex, money, love and friendship.