Summer of '69

Not many times in our recent history are as iconic as the summer of 1969, and I simply had to read about the summer of my birth.
It's told from the point of view of four siblings from a middle class family who summers in Nantucket. Even though we get to read some of brother Tiger's letters sent from Vietnam, Summer of '69 is a female centered book. 

The differences with the generations, grandmother, mother and (in particular) teenage daughter were captured well.
Grandmother Exalta was a curious character who you just knew had more underneath. Mother Kate and eldest daughter Blair's blandness annoyed me. Middle sister Kirby and the youngest Jessie were the most alike, both going through this summer learning about themselves, and growing up.   

Something that happened in this book reminded me of watching the final episode in season 1 of Big Little Lies with my mom, who referred to Jane's rape as a bad night with Perry, and I said um, she was raped. My mom's generation didn’t call it rape, it was "what women went through". They were hesitant to give such acts a criminal name. My generation, coming up in the 1970's, began calling assault what it is, and wasn't afraid to go against men, hold them accountable.  

Thirteen year old Jessie discovered her pervy tennis instructor humping her is unfortunately typical of what teens start to go through. I cringed at Helen's mother's poor, un-supportive reaction when Helen was groped by him.  Passing it off as she did is a girl’s worst fear! That your mother won't understand what happened, or support & defend you is gut wrenching. I cheered though when Jessie told Suze and got her help.  

Towards the end of the summer, Jessie has a few mature realizations. When she see's her grandmother kissing the caretaker and then thinks of her as a real person, not just the grandmother she never warmed to. She also thinks twice before telling her father everything about her summer. Children tell their parents everything, but grown ups keep some things to them selves, she thinks.  

This was my first Elin Hilderbrand novel, but won't be my last.

I received Summer of '69 in a giveaway. 

Until next time,
Kara