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Search - Body Surfing
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Body Surfing Author: |
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Book Information
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Book Description:
"Always readable-sometimes compulsively so-Shreve's novels are typically emotionally resonant, nicely paced, and populated by memorable characters." -People
At the age of 29, Sydney has already been once divorced and once widowed. Trying to regain her footing, she has signed on to tutor the teenage daughter of a well-to-do couple as they spend a sultry summer in their oceanfront New Hampshire cottage.
But when the Edwardses' two grown sons arrive at the beach house, Sydney finds herself caught up in a destructive web of old tensions and bitter divisions. As the brothers vie for her affections, the fragile existence Sydney has rebuilt is threatened.
With the subtle wit, lyrical language, and brilliant insight into the human heart that has led her to be called "an author at one with her metier" (Miami Herald), Shreve weaves a novel about marriage, family, and the supreme courage it takes to love.
"Shreve excels at nuance and detail. She skillfully illuminates the tiniest of moments, offering readers a peek at the complex undertones coursing through the characters throughout the story." -Rocky Mountain News
"There is something satisfyingly clean, well functioning, pale, and delicious about an Anita Shreve novel. . . . Shreve's characters, grappling with desire, juggling their shame againsttheir regret, are entirely welcome." -Boston Globe
"Shreve's writing is textured, reflective, and generally flows with ease, to the point where the reader may be surprised at how quickly the pages turn."-Newsday
At the age of 29, Sydney has already been once divorced and once widowed. Trying to regain her footing, she has signed on to tutor the teenage daughter of a well-to-do couple as they spend a sultry summer in their oceanfront New Hampshire cottage.
But when the Edwardses' two grown sons arrive at the beach house, Sydney finds herself caught up in a destructive web of old tensions and bitter divisions. As the brothers vie for her affections, the fragile existence Sydney has rebuilt is threatened.
With the subtle wit, lyrical language, and brilliant insight into the human heart that has led her to be called "an author at one with her metier" (Miami Herald), Shreve weaves a novel about marriage, family, and the supreme courage it takes to love.
"Shreve excels at nuance and detail. She skillfully illuminates the tiniest of moments, offering readers a peek at the complex undertones coursing through the characters throughout the story." -Rocky Mountain News
"There is something satisfyingly clean, well functioning, pale, and delicious about an Anita Shreve novel. . . . Shreve's characters, grappling with desire, juggling their shame againsttheir regret, are entirely welcome." -Boston Globe
"Shreve's writing is textured, reflective, and generally flows with ease, to the point where the reader may be surprised at how quickly the pages turn."-Newsday
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Top Member Book Reviews
Amie T. (
3 member(s) found this review helpful.
I bought this book at an airport newsstand and devoured it on the plane, and again when I had any free time during my trip. It wasn't a Noble Prize winner, and at times choices made by the main character annoyed me, but it nonetheless kept me interested overall in the lives of these characters. The author also effectively moved the plot forward, so the story didn't drag out.
Maureen C. (
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
I LOVE this book!!! What a great story. Anita Shreve never ceases to amaze me by creating love/life stories that are so complex, yet so authentic. Sydney is a main character of such a set of circumastances! She is human, not saintly, genuine, and indeed relative to many women. The Edwards family...ahhh, many of us have met a Mrs. Edwards...Ben and Jeff are intriguing to say the least...Julie and Mr. E are endearing. It's a great tale set in the same house that was featured in The Pilot's Wife, Fortune's Rocks, and Sea Glass. Anita Shreve is remarkable in creating tales that stem from the same geographical and in this case, architectural setting, occurring in different time periods. This is why I have chosen to read so many of Ms. Shreve's works. Many express dissatisfaction with the endings of Ms. Shreve's novels. I choose to consider them to be thought provoking and signature to Ms. Shreve. This one follows suit with that!
Wow! I simply LOVED this book!
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
Another good read by Anita Shreve.
All of her books (that I have read so far) take place in the same house on the shore, but they're always different characters, different time periods, and different stories. I enjoy the tie in from prior novels... It's sort of fun to follow the history of this house.
This book, like her other novels, takes some unexpected twists and turns. It's an interesting piece, but not my favorite.
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
One of the best books I've read in a long time. I'm surprised by some of the other reviews listed here because I thoroughly enjoyed this book from the first page to the last. The story drew me in quickly, and I was annoyed anytime I was interrupted from reading it.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I usually like Anita Shreve's books, and was a little disappointed in the beginning when it seemed a very predictable sort of story. However, the twists and turns came along and I ended up feeling it was up to Shreve's usual high standards.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
Very real characters, I like how it's set in the same house as The Pilot's Wife.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
I read this book in 36 hours. It was a compelling story that takes place at a New England beach house. There is lots of romance and complicated personal relationships.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
This is the story of a young woman - Sydney - who spends the summer tutoring a girl named Julie while staying with the girl's family at their beach house. Julie's brothers come to visit and the realationships that form between Sydney and the brothers as well as those she has with the other family members is what the story focuses on.
I love this author and this book stays with her usual page-turner style of writing.
Anastasia F. (
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
I read this book on a short vacation, and found it to be an easy read. The main character has been married twice, once divorced and then became a widow. She then joins a family at their beach cottage in New Hampshire as a tutor for their daughter. The book explores her relationships with this family and deals with loss, friendship, marriage, and love.
If you enjoy family drama books, this is a good one.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
I didn't like the way the book was written. It reminded me of Dick and Jane. However, I did finish it and it kept me entertained. But, I sure was glad when it ended.
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Please Rate these Book Reviews
Typical Anita Shreve. Enjoyable, quick read and very predictable. Enjoyed reading about the scenery. Love the area of Boston and the Atlantic coast, so was a treat to hear that described. Not one of Shreve's best efforts, but mindless reading.
Very slow and hard to read. I felt like the story was somewhat vague with details and character's feelings. Wouldn't recommend.
great beach read. easy, fast. makes you want to keep going back!
Linda (This book was a good read but it never seemed to really get into the characters. I always felt just a pinch removed from the characters almost like they were two dimensional and I never really understood the reasons for the story. Not difficult to follow, just not completely flushed out.
Read All Book Reviews of "Body Surfing"
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