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Summer by Ali Smith - Very Good

I was told that the Season Quartet could be read in any order but decided that I would read in published order - I always feel that you see the author's thoughts and development more clearly that way. I'm glad I did for although the first three books pretty much stand alone, this one brings them all together. There are characters and scenarios from the previous three and loose threads are tied up.

We revisit Daniel Gluck from Autumn, Art from Winter and the security group from Spring pops up all over the place. It's also set early in the Pandemic so reading this before the post-Brexit stuff would feel out of place (well for me anyway).

A new family is introduced: Sacha, her brother Robert and their Mother: Grace. A prank played by her brother leads Sacha to meet Art and Charlotte (from Winter) and the family quickly form a friendship and tag along when Art heads off to visit Daniel (from Autumn) and deliver a piece of sculpture left to him by Art's aunt. Convoluted, but it works.

We learn more of Daniel's backstory as a refugee from Nazi Germany and his internment on The Isle of Man. We learn what became of his sister trapped in Europe as the war rages. We follow Grace as she revisits places from her past. We watch the old and young and displaced find synergy and friendship. I guess that is what the author hopes will happen in a post-brexit post-pandemic world.

I had thought this was a nice way to tie up all the threads and themes of these books but now I'm led to believe there is a fifth book in the 'quartet': Companion Piece. I shall have to find a copy.

#review

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Thanks for all the wishlist books and this bonus extra!

I read this soon after reading Spring. I really enjoyed both books. I have put Companion Piece on my wishlist now.

Going to Sparkish with a few other books.

Join UK Bookcrossers at the BCUK Durham Unconvention from 20-22 September 2024

Received today with lots of other books. Thank you so much for being so generous!