By Summer's End

by Pamela Morsi

Book Overview

By Summer's End by Pamela Morsi released on Jan 25, 2005 is available now for purchase. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0778321398
• ISBN13: 9780778321392
• Release Date: January 2005
• Publisher: Mira Books
• Length: 384 Pages
• Weight: 0.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 4.2" x 6.6"

Customer Reviews

Moving On

Pam Morsi did write wonderful historical romance. For whatever reasons she now writes wonderful contemporary stories. As a reader I find her new work thought provoking and engaging. I did not put 'By Summer's End' down until I finished the book. Morsi has a gift with words that enables a reader to be drawn into the story immediately. On the first page the mother announces that "Sonny has left us." The younger daughter, Dakota, knows the world must be populated with guys named Sonny and they never leave her mother. "They always leave us." The reader knows this is going to be a bumpy ride for this family. In a magical way Morsi weaves the past and present into a wonderful tale of survival, renewed love, and family bonds. I highly recommend the book. Sammy Belisle

Beach Reading Plus

Pamela Morsi's _By Summer's End_ is a nice read. She includes likable characters, a challenging situation, and an ending suitable for beach reading. There is a little split-perspective writing going on, so be forewarned that about 1/3 of the way through the book, chapters alternate with 'what might have been'. I thought it was neat, but I have friends who can't even bear it when the narrator of the book changes, so .... just something to bear in mind. The writing was easy to read, and Morsi addressed some non-fluffy topics. Stereotypes vs. 3-D people, the nature of heroism, etc. Most of these were inserted fairly obviously in the dialouge, but her points were interesting none-the-less. I deeply suspect that Morsi's description of chaos theory shouldn't be considered a definative explanation. Her take on 'some things are just bad luck, but there is still an overarching plan for our lives', was presented very well. Overall, as I said. A nice read. A little food for thought. Beach reading with a little something extra.

From Publisher's Weekly

Here is another take, from Publisher's Weekly Magazine, on this fine story... BY SUMMER'S END Pamela Morsi, Mira, $6.99 (384p) ISBN 0-7783-2139-8 Morsi's smart, funny story of a widowed mother dealing with cancer is endearingly upbeat. After the accidental death of her husband, Sonny, 13 years earlier, Dawn Leland left Knoxville, Tenn., with her two young daughters, Sierra and Dakota, vowing never to return. She had no reason to stay since Sonny's parents considered her socially inferior and blamed her for their son's death. now, diagnosed with cancer, Dawn has no choice but to go back to Knoxville to live with the Lelands while she undergoes treatment. Sixteen-year-old Sierra views the move as a grand adventure and settles in to stay, but 13-year-old Dakota, a "physics geek" wants nothing to do with the grandparents who didn't want her and is unwavering in her desire to hit the road as soon as Dawn recovers. Drawing loosely from chaos theory, Morsi (Suburban Renewal) skillfully layers chapter upon chapter with scenes that illustrate the past, the present and what could have been if Sonny had lived. This fascinating and poignant read will leave readers pondering this, "In the long run, the universe and everything in it proceeds exactly as it was meant to all along." (Agent, Andrea Cirillo, Jane Rotrosen Agency)

engaging character study

When the job or the boyfriend dried up, Dawn accompanied by her two children hit the road and moved on to the next "Sonny". However, her thirteen years old daughter Dakota notices that this time it is different as Dawn for the first time back tracks and heads to her hometown of Knoxville; Dakota's older sister Sierra fails to see anything unique on this trek until they reach their destination. Dawn pleads with her mother-in-law Sephrona to allow her two grandchildren to spend the summer with them because she is ill. Sephrona blames Dawn for the death of her son thirteen years ago; if he had not impregnated her and then married her, he would have been at university instead of logging when the tree fell on him. Still Sephrona forced by her spouse, who wants time with his grandchildren, reluctantly takes in the three women. Will love or hate rule this summer in which everyone struggles to adjust, but health becomes the key issue as grandpa and Dawn have threatening ailments. This engaging character study focuses in on an ensemble cast though the youngest player serves as the prime narrator. The family drama works on several levels as each sees the relationships quite differently. Pamela Morsi displays her talent so by the novel's end fans will appreciate that the four women, grandpa and even the canine Rocky Dog have unique personalities that remain consistent. This is a fine tale that showcases the relative strengths of love vs. hate on individuals. Harriet Klausner