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Title: A Song for Summer
Author: Eva Ibbotson
ISBN/Publisher: 978-0-14-240866-7/Speak (part of Penguin)
Age Group/Genre: Young Adult
Ellen is raised in London by her suffragist aunts and mom, but Ellen leaves Cambridge to graduate from a school that specializes in home management and cooking. So now she goes off to Austria to be the house mother to a bunch of neglected artsy students. Here, she transforms a rundown boarding school and its occupants with her love and nurturing spirit.
The school has many people, but none more interesting than Marek, the gardener. Except, he isn't just a gardener. He's a composer hiding from the Nazi's and their need to control music and their need to get rid of his friends.
Ellen and Marek's relationship goes from friendship to love, and a possible engagement. However, the Nazis are not happy with Marek for helping with the escape of his friend. After Marek disappears, Ellen returns to London to marry someone, and also to provide a refuge for her students from the Hallendorf school.
Will Ellen and Marek find each other during this World War?
Okay, this one was kind of difficult for me to get through. It is probably because I loved her main characters in A Company of Swans and A Countess Below Stairs. Ellen's character and her job seemed boring compared to the other books. However, the description of the setting was beautiful. Ibbotson who grew up in Austria and lived in England described the area so well, to the point that I really want to visit these countries (and made me regret a missed opportunity of spending a summer in Austria).
I was tempted to put the book down in the middle, but as soon as the much awaited romance between the characters happened, I wanted to know what would happen next. It's expected, with all Ibbotson's book that a happy ending is guaranteed. It's just a matter of how they get there and me wanting to know how they get their happily ever after.
I don't recommend buying this book...just borrow it from the library.
Fave lines...
(This was bought from a store called FullyBooked)
Author: Eva Ibbotson
ISBN/Publisher: 978-0-14-240866-7/Speak (part of Penguin)
Age Group/Genre: Young Adult
Ellen is raised in London by her suffragist aunts and mom, but Ellen leaves Cambridge to graduate from a school that specializes in home management and cooking. So now she goes off to Austria to be the house mother to a bunch of neglected artsy students. Here, she transforms a rundown boarding school and its occupants with her love and nurturing spirit.
The school has many people, but none more interesting than Marek, the gardener. Except, he isn't just a gardener. He's a composer hiding from the Nazi's and their need to control music and their need to get rid of his friends.
Ellen and Marek's relationship goes from friendship to love, and a possible engagement. However, the Nazis are not happy with Marek for helping with the escape of his friend. After Marek disappears, Ellen returns to London to marry someone, and also to provide a refuge for her students from the Hallendorf school.
Will Ellen and Marek find each other during this World War?
Okay, this one was kind of difficult for me to get through. It is probably because I loved her main characters in A Company of Swans and A Countess Below Stairs. Ellen's character and her job seemed boring compared to the other books. However, the description of the setting was beautiful. Ibbotson who grew up in Austria and lived in England described the area so well, to the point that I really want to visit these countries (and made me regret a missed opportunity of spending a summer in Austria).
I was tempted to put the book down in the middle, but as soon as the much awaited romance between the characters happened, I wanted to know what would happen next. It's expected, with all Ibbotson's book that a happy ending is guaranteed. It's just a matter of how they get there and me wanting to know how they get their happily ever after.
I don't recommend buying this book...just borrow it from the library.
Fave lines...
My God, this is worse than Hollywood, he thought. A girl come in with a pork chop and I write a song for her. page 302
My Rating
(This was bought from a store called FullyBooked)
***
sorry it was a bit boring. glad it got better though. nice review. it doesn't really sound like I'd enjoy it overall though. :)
ReplyDeleteLauren
Thanks Lauren. It's not a book I would recommend to go out and get. But it is a pretty cover & I'm a sucker for those *sigh*
ReplyDelete