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Returnable | Yes |
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Resolutions | Eligible for refund or replacement |
Return Window | 30 days from delivery |
Refund Timelines | Typically, an advance refund will be issued within 24 hours of a drop-off or pick-up. For returns that require physical verification, refund issuance may take up to 30 days after drop-off or pick up. Where an advance refund is issued, we will re-charge your payment method if we do not receive the correct item in original condition. See details here. |
Late fee | A late fee of 20% of the item price will apply if you complete the drop off or pick up after the ‘Return By Date’. |
Restocking fee | A restocking fee may apply if the item is not returned in original condition and original packaging, or is damaged or missing parts for reasons not due to Amazon or seller error. See details here. |
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Summer of '69 Paperback – February 11, 2020
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Four siblings experience the drama, intrigue, and upheaval of the '60s summer when everything changed in Elin Hilderbrand's #1 New York Times bestselling historical novel.
Welcome to the most tumultuous summer of the twentieth century. It's 1969, and for the Levin family, the times they are a-changing. Every year the children have looked forward to spending the summer at their grandmother's historic home in downtown Nantucket. But like so much else in America, nothing is the same: Blair, the oldest sister, is marooned in Boston, pregnant with twins and unable to travel. Middle sister Kirby, caught up in the thrilling vortex of civil rights protests and determined to be independent, takes a summer job on Martha's Vineyard. Only-son Tiger is an infantry soldier, recently deployed to Vietnam. And thirteen-year-old Jessie suddenly feels like an only child, marooned in the house with her out-of-touch grandmother and her worried mother, while each of them hides a troubling secret.
As the summer heats up, Ted Kennedy sinks a car in Chappaquiddick, man flies to the moon, and Jessie and her family experience their own dramatic upheavals along with the rest of the country. In her first historical novel, rich with the details of an era that shaped both a nation and an island thirty miles out to sea, Elin Hilderbrand once again earns her title as queen of the summer novel.
- Print length448 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- Publication dateFebruary 11, 2020
- Dimensions5.5 x 1.13 x 8.25 inches
- ISBN-10031642000X
- ISBN-13978-0316420006
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- Being responsible for her own happiness, she has realized, is a lonely proposition.Highlighted by 607 Kindle readers
- What if growing up means keeping some things to herself? The experiences of this summer will become as much a part of her as her bones and muscle, her brains and heart. Ten or twenty years from now, when she looks back on the summer of 1969, she will think: That was the summer I became real. My own real person.Highlighted by 575 Kindle readers
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Editorial Reviews
Review
"An engrossing tale of an iconic American summer"―People Magazine
"Overall this novel is an entertaining bagatelle . . . There won't be a single transistor radio this summer on Singing Beach in Manchester-by-the-Sea, nor on Madaket Beach in Nantucket. But there almost certainly will be multiple copies of Summer of '69. It's this year's beach-reading cure for . . . the summertime blues."―The Boston Globe
"Superb...Hilderbrand hits all the right notes about life in a tightly knit family, and this crowd-pleaser is sure to satisfy both her fans and newcomers alike."―Publishers Weekly, starred review
"HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: Hilderbrand's first foray into historical fiction will rouse curiosity in new readers as well as devotees of her annual summer smashes."―Susan Maguire, Booklist
"Hilderbrand's characters are utterly convincing and immediately draw us into their problems, from petty to grave...To use the parlance of the period, a highly relevant retrospective."
―Kirkus
"Misunderstandings, secrets, and wrong choices are revealed in this completely satisfying novel that is the beach read of the summer, sure to appeal to Hilderbrand's fans while earning her new readers. A must buy."―The Library Journal
"She presents another breezy yet gritty novel with Summer of '69... Simple, sassy, and continuously engaging, Summer of '69 fits neatly into the nostalgic reader's beach bag."―NPR
"Hilderbrand's books keep getting better and better."―Bookreporter
"With vivid descriptions of the songs, fashions and other details of the era woven throughout, it's a true nostalgia trip."―AARP
About the Author
Product details
- Publisher : Back Bay Books; Reprint edition (February 11, 2020)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 448 pages
- ISBN-10 : 031642000X
- ISBN-13 : 978-0316420006
- Item Weight : 12.8 ounces
- Dimensions : 5.5 x 1.13 x 8.25 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #5,580 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #222 in Mothers & Children Fiction
- #321 in Family Life Fiction (Books)
- #481 in Women's Domestic Life Fiction
- Customer Reviews:
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About the author
Elin Hilderbrand first discovered the magic of Nantucket in July 1993. Her recipe for a happy island life includes running, writing at the beach, picnics at Eel Point with her three children, and singing "Home, Sweet Home" at the Club Car piano bar. Here's to Us is her seventeenth novel.
Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers find the family saga captivating and entertaining. They also say the content is difficult to put down and enjoyable. Readers describe the historical accuracy as true to the time period and evokes a feeling of old style. They find the characters relatable and interesting. Customers praise the writing quality as well-written and accurate. They mention the historical references as fascinating and great moments in history. However, some customers feel the storyline is not terrific and not great.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers find the book wonderful, enjoyable, and accurate. They also describe the author as an excellent writer and gifted storyteller. Customers also mention that the attempt is notable and commendable.
"This book is undoubtedly a good beach read. But it’s full of good history and a look back at cultural shifts in the late 1960’s...." Read more
"I really enjoyed the storylines as they crossed each other and how this book ended. Very well written and entertaining to read." Read more
"...Love beachy feel of all of Hildebrand's books. Am a fan. Difficult to put down. Love the music references." Read more
"...How did I find this book?The attempt is notable and commendable...." Read more
Customers find the characters relatable and interesting. They also appreciate the backdrop of Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard.
"I loved the different viewpoints of the characters of all different ages experiencing the same things for that last summer of the 1960s." Read more
"...and how things had changed in the subsequent 50 years. We liked the character development and how the author devoted an entire chapter at a time to..." Read more
"What I did like was the great differences in all the characters...." Read more
"...The characters are relatable and interesting and the backdrop of Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard is appealing to imagine...." Read more
Customers find the writing quality of the book well-written, believable, and clean. They also say the book is a quick, interesting read that goes on fluently. Customers also mention that the book has vivid, accurate descriptions, and joyful moments that are easy to identify with.
"...Very well written and entertaining to read." Read more
"...Otherwise, this is a clean book suitable for all audiences.BOTTOM LINEI'm between three stars and four...." Read more
"One of the most intelligent authors. Allusions, humor, a stunning plot system...." Read more
"...In the fact, the whole book was so well-written that I would get upset every time I had to stop reading for a while...." Read more
Customers find the historical references fascinating, transporting them back to a wonderful time in the country. They also describe the story as real and vivid, with memories of a scary time. Readers also mention that the book is a tender coming of age story set on the affluent islands.
"This book is undoubtedly a good beach read. But it’s full of good history and a look back at cultural shifts in the late 1960’s...." Read more
"...Some awe-inspiring moments but also some terrible tragedies occurred during this time.Summer of '69 had relatable characters...." Read more
"Loved reliving the 60”s. Felt like I traveled to Nantucket" Read more
"...I give this 4.5 stars and if you want a beach read and historical fiction. This book is for you." Read more
Customers find the family saga captivating, beautifully woven, and enjoyable. They also say the relationships are well thought out and enjoyable, with a happy ending. Readers also mention the plot has lots of twists and turns and is perfect for their age. They describe the characters as masterfully depicted and nostalgic for beautiful summer days.
"...It's a well-paced emotional family drama that's probably not what her readers expect, but was a refreshing change...." Read more
"...The picture of the Vineyard is perfect, including actual places. Placing Kirby there was a plus for me...." Read more
"...and the backdrop of Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard is appealing to imagine...." Read more
"...of 69, itself, is a larger than life character, as well, and masterfully depicted...." Read more
Customers find the content captivated, entertaining, informative, and funny. They also appreciate the characters' development and engagement.
"One of the most intelligent authors. Allusions, humor, a stunning plot system...." Read more
"...Way to go on sucking me right in! I found the prose engaging and with certain plot lines, found myself reading faster and faster...." Read more
"...Her stories are strong and engaging and her characters are always interesting...." Read more
"...This is definitely an entertaining and intriguing story worth reading. Thanks Elin for your special author's note...." Read more
Customers find the book true to the time period, with pertinent historical references. They also say it evokes a feeling of old style, almost southern charm, and is still relevant.
"One of the most intelligent authors. Allusions, humor, a stunning plot system...." Read more
"...It is a book that is a great step back in time and take it for just that. Enjoy!" Read more
"I adored this novel, especially the historical references and setting descriptions for the Northeast...." Read more
"...the summer of 49, I can say without hesitation that this book feels true to its time, a time of social, political , personal, family scientific and..." Read more
Customers find the storyline weak, unrealistic, and cheesy. They also say the events are upsetting and unlikable. Readers also mention that the book is slow to set up the story and things get stagnant.
"...Then after all the turmoil, all suddenly is right again. The ending was too pat, too tied up in sappy "happy families."..." Read more
"...She said this was too slow and boring to finish...." Read more
"...Not acceptable." Read more
"...did not like Kate at all either, and the ending, ugh ugh ugh, just very upsetting...." Read more
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Meanwhile, I shall wander off into some secluded nook and cranny so I can humbly munch my crow...
I graduated high school in 1970 and went in the Navy to beat the draft. I was your typical, patriotic, conservative kid. Military service and the politics of the time shifted me strongly leftward. So, I wanted to love, "Summer of '69." How did I find this book?
The attempt is notable and commendable. The difficulty, though, is that the language and thoughts of the kids is so poliished that it feels, well, disconnected from reality. At least, when compared to more average members of the generation for which this is a mirror.
I read the first letter by Tiger to his little sister and almost wanted to laugh at how unrealistic the letter was.
Then, a little later on, I read the dialogue of between parents and daughter. The tone would have been great, but the language used was, well, pollyanna.
Mind you, I love the attempt to shine the light on the time of my coming of age. I just feel let down by the pictures presented to us.
BLUSH FACTOR: No swearing. Only the word rhyming with dam appears. However, there is some, uh, romantic overtures, if you will, so use discretion before sharing with any youngsters. Otherwise, this is a clean book suitable for all audiences.
BOTTOM LINE
I'm between three stars and four. Don't want to be too harsh on a new writer, but, well, four stars might give too much credit.
Three stars out of five. Actually, 3.25. Just can't round up to four.
The story centers in one family: The Levins/Nichols (Although, Kate was a Foley at some point. She was married to Wilder Foley).
Kate Levin is the mother. Kate is devastated that her only son, Tiger has been drafted to Vietnam. She's terrified he is going to die during this terrible war. She believes this is life paying her back for a secret she has been carrying for a long time. Kate knows she's drinking too much while her marriage and her relationship with her daughters are deteriorating.
The oldest daughter, Blair is married and pregnant. She is unhappy with her husband, Angus who's a physicist who doesn't want her to pursue her career. Instead, he wants her to stay at home barefoot and pregnant which is terribly lonely since he doesn't get home until very late every day. Furthermore, her husband also has some spells where he doesn't want to go out of the house at all and wants to seclude himself instead.
Kirby is the middle sister. She is all about fighting for civil rights, love not war, getting high and living free. Although, recently after she got in trouble with a man, she wants to heal and spend the summer at Martha's Vineyard. She's offered a job working the graveyard shift which she takes. She wants to prove she can be self-sufficient. In regards to her heart, She's not ready to date again until she meets Darren.
Lastly, there is Jessie, the half-sister. She just turned thirteen and the last thing she wants to do is to stay with her mother Kate and her grandmother, Exalta in Nantucket for the summer. It's implicit that she would need to start taking tennis lessons even though it is not a sport she wants to learn. It doesn't help that her first class in nothing but a nightmare.
***
Going back to Nantucket through Elin Hilderbrand's vision is always fun. But this time, it was not only Nantucket that was relevant but instead she decided to transport us to 1969. A year which was important for America and the world for so many reasons. Some awe-inspiring moments but also some terrible tragedies occurred during this time.
Summer of '69 had relatable characters. I liked them all except maybe I never really warm up to the Exalta.
I can't wait for Mrs. Hilderbrand's next Nantucket beach read.
Cliffhanger: No
4/5 Fangs