The Book of Summers is a story that mainly takes place during 1991-1997. They were six summers that held such promise. I love books with characters that become so real I can feel them around me. Erzsi, now known as Beth, is our narrator and the centre pin of the story. Her father, and thinking now, I can’t remember ever hearing his name, is a quiet, somewhat withdrawn man, living in rural Devon. Marika her mother, has left and returned to her birthplace Hungary. For six wonderful years Beth lives between the two. Then years later, out of the blue, a mystery parcel arrives in the post. I was drawn into the story from the first chapter, always a good sign for me! Marika is one of those radiant gypsy-souls who live life to the max and yet she never gets everything right. Erzsi is lovely. She’s 9 at the start, 16 on her last trip to Hungary and an independent woman when the parcel arrives. Love them as we do, we don’t get to choose our parents and at times it’s best not to overthink, but rather to follow your heart. ( )

Beth receives a package containing news that her mother, Marika has died in Hungary, and a book of photographs, taking her back to her childhood and teenage years visiting Marika and her new partner in the Hungarian countryside, and experiencing a very different style and pace of life from the one she knows at home. She remembers Zoltan, Marika's artist lover, and Tamas - they were friends and had a romantic interest. But why had she lost touch with Marika?

I really enjoyed the portrayal of a young girl growing up, her relationships with others and her shifting perceptions about what was going on around her, and the portrait of life in rural Hungary. This is an absorbing and slightly sad novel - I loved it and think it would appeal to teenage girls as well as to more mature women like me. ( )

Emylia Hall’s debut novel The Book of Summers is a moving and vibrant story about Beth Lowe’s magical summers in Hungary. To read my review in its entirety, please visit http://www.bookreviewsandmorebykathy.com/2012/05/29/the-book-of-summers/ ( )

The ending or climax was better than I thought ( )

If you enjoy lush, descriptive prose, this book Is for you. If you enjoy a story that opens as a flower turned toward the sun, petal by petal, this book is for you. If you are open to examining the emotions of familial relationships, without the promise of being uplifted, take a chance and read this book. I am so glad I took that chance and read this book. ( )