- Paperback: 384 pages
- Publisher: Headline Review; New edition edition (18 April 2002)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0747262225
- ISBN-13: 978-0747262220
- Product Dimensions: 13.2 x 2.6 x 19.7 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 142,409 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
Summertime, the sequel to Raffaella Barker's extremely popular Hens Dancing is a six-month snapshot of the life of Venetia Summers and her three children. Deserted by her "tower-of-strength" boyfriend David, Venetia spends the summer waiting for him to return, lonely and hurt that he seems to be taking his time.
Don't be fooled into thinking that she's just going to sit and mope. Although it would be pushing it to describe Summertime as action-packed--too much of the novel takes place on the school run or in the knot garden for that--Venetia's life races along and the months soon skip past. There are three eccentric children to ferry about, the ex-husband and his Internet pet cemetery to contend with and a new neighbour--the elusive Hedley Sale, complete with monobrow and dandruff.
Written in a clipped diary style, Summertime is packed with moments city dwellers only dream about. Afternoons in the garden of a beautiful Norfolk cottage, impulsive trips to hear nightingales, Easter egg hunts and moonlit nights stuffed with stars. Although they're a privileged lot--the children tell jokes about Beethoven--they're endearing and lovers of Katie Fforde, Mavis Cheek and Joanna Trollope should snap this up. Especially if they're partial to a cheeky parrot with a fruity wolf whistle and a mean sense of rhythm.--Jane Honey --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Maggie O'Farrell in the Observer
'I love [Raffaella Barker's] books - so funny and acerbic; a very good thing in a woman'
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Absolutely fantastic. Picked it up by sheer coincidence and so glad I did. Like Venetia I am divorced and so identified with all the thoughts and feelings about the odious ex and his new 'family', the antics of the children and the well meaning friends!! I found myself just laughing out loud at the turn of every page. Totally believable characters whose daily lives probably reflect a little bit of all of us - this book is an absolute must on your reading list.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I read this book on a plane and probably kept the whole plane awake as I laughed until I cried. As I am from Norfolk, where Venetia lives with her three children, I could imagine certain scenarios perfectly. My boyfriend read the book too, and also laughed til he cried, whilst commenting that the scary thing was he could just see me and numerous other people we know, turning out to be as haphazardly creative in our middle age as is Venetia. Ms. Barker makes the characters extremly lifelike and lovable and has an incredible sense of humour - you won't want to put it down!
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Makes you feel at home and I found myself telling the character'don't do it' Like shouting the answer at the tv when Millionare is on. Whackey character makes simple life seem appealing.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Summertime Read
I had no idea this novel was a sequel until today when I came to write a review for Amazon. I have never read any of her books before, but will probably look out for more now. Read more
Published on 4 July 2007 by LindyLouMac
The Funniest Book I Have Ever Read
I bought this several years ago and re-read it often, it is absolutely hands down the funniest book I have ever read. Read more
Published on 27 Feb 2007 by Mr. G. Sloan
A tiny bit annoying
After Hens Dancing I could not wait to get my hands on summertime. The writing is addictive however the character has become extremely annoying. Read more
Published on 9 Aug 2005
Nostalgic
What a fabulous read. I managed to find this book in New York, my first time with this author. I am only sorry I didn't read Hens Dancing first. Read more
Published on 20 Feb 2005 by H. Munden
Worlds most spoilt character!
I really enjoyed the first book featuring this character and so eagerly looked forward to reading the sequel. Read more
Published on 19 April 2004
Wonderful
I really love this author. After the superb Hens Dancing I could not wait for this book to come out. All the characters are lovely and really well fleshed out and believable. Read more
Published on 9 Dec 2002
Yet another fabulous book........
'Summertime' is the sequel of 'Hens Dancing'. It follows the life & times of Venetia Summers who leads a somewhat excentric kind of life in the countryside! Read more
Published on 31 July 2002
Disappointing follow-up
I really enjoyed Hens Dancing so naturally hoped I would enjoy this sequel. I tried to enjoy it but was constantly irritated by the annoying character that The Beauty has become. Read more
Published on 29 May 2002 by J. Lindsay
SUPERB!
I've read and re-read Hen's Dancing countless times and looked forward to this follow up tale of Venetia, the boys and The Beauty and especially David! Read more
Published on 29 Mar 2001
Beautiful in a spangly tiara, pom pom like way
I love this book and am delighted that Barker chose to keep telling the story of Venetia and her family, started in "Hen's Dancing". Read more
Published on 28 Mar 2001 by Mrs. K. A. Wheatley
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