Reading Christmas book during Christmas always brings an extra zing to the book. Similar is the case with "the book of Summers" which I specifically picked up because of season although I am not into seasonal reading often. It was also in large print so that made it even more attractive ;) (ok, I am not a kid, but still). Well, if you are judging the book by its cover, this may be lucky enough to be picked by you.
The story begins with a thirty year old Beth Lowe residing in London alone with a roommate and a fairly good job when she suddenly receives a package from Hungary. Once she opens the package, she finds something precious inside that transports her to the summer holidays which she spent in Hungary from the time when she was nine year old to 16 year old. As a nine year old, Beth goes to Hungary for the first time with her family on a holiday and suddenly finds her mother settling down in Hungary without any reason. Shattered, Beth promises to visit her mother every year during summer holidays. Hungary is different from her own home in England with an impulsive mother, her friendly lover, their food, the lifestyle their entertainment, the summer washed countryside, the heat, forest, the pass time, people. As the story proceeds further we see changes inBeth who falls so easily in love with the place that she readily forgives her mother for leaving the family suddenly and in fact accepts Hungary as her own home. Slowly as the years pass by alongwith the new chapter Beth grows from little girl with all her innocence to a teenager who speaks out her mind without any hesitation. The year when Beth turns 16, she already has some serious plans only to find them destroyed with some earth shattering facts and then and there itself, her honeymoon with the country comes to an unexpectedly dreadful end until 14 years later when she receives the parcel, The last two chapters have the answer to all the questions which Beth as well as we had in our mind.
The first few chapters drag you to unwanted details about her lifestyle in London and her father’s character until you are almost sure that the book may not have much to offer. It is only when her father lands at her home without giving a proper notice and hands over the parcel does it "start" to feel like something interesting. You may like Marika (her mother) or you may hate her but you cannot ignore her for sure who is explosive in comparison to her dad who is more submissive. Zoltan, her mother’s boyfriend is friendly and Tamas who is Beth’s only friend in Hungary is mature for his age and attracted to her. They all make a queer but nice group.
During my childhood days, in my school, me and my friends would gather at a place during lunch and would tell " tumhe pata hai, mein holidays mein apne gaaaon gayi thi nani se milne, cousin se milne, interesting unknown destination as tourist etc etc. and the details of the same would follow. This book is for those who enjoy it. This book is also for those who don’t mind romance novel or for those who are not too keen on TDH heroes straight out of M&B. It is a decent read atleast for the summer;)