Stolen Summer is a delightful book. Evan and Colin are best friends, met at Uni, Evan a journalist and Colin an English professor meet up after Evan’s return from Afghanistan, prior to him going to Pakistan. While their professional lives are on the up, personally they limp from one lacklustre relationship to the next. Evan doesn’t really know why, but feels he’s missing something, Colin knows what he’s missing. One night Colin finally comes clean, he’s in love with Evan and has been for some time.At this point, despite the beautiful lyrical prose, this could have been standard friend to lovers/ gay for you romance, but it so wasn’t. Evan goes to Pakistan, but rather than coming home after three weeks, he’s taken hostage. While in captivity Evan’s feelings for Colin are crystallised. The writing in this section of the book, revealing how Evan feels about the separation, his realisation that he might die was so touching, emotional and honest that I cried.Stolen Summer is written from Evan’s perspective, and you really get to ‘feel’ his emotions, and yet at no stage was it one sided, Colin’s character came across just as intently. Evan’s journalism is crucial to the plot, his kidnap, captivity and the investigation into events in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Jordan is fascinating.I enjoyed this book so much; I was torn between reading it greedily like I’d been deprived, and savouring the delicious prose so I ended up doing both, gulping and re reading.On Sunday afternoon, after returning from work and a quick whisk to the pub by my husband I sat outside. My family happily engaged without me, but close to hand I sat in my old (un restored) rocking chair, the afternoon sun warm and mellow and finished Stolen Summer. A peaceful perfect moment.I can’t praise SA Meade or the book enough, if you haven’t read it you should.Abridged version, the best song and a bit more personal stuff on blog Hm... I like the writing and the start was very strong.But what I disliked right away: How the (ex-) girlfriend is the homophobic, mean bitch from hell. And how the impending doom of the journey to Pakistan is so clearly outlined, it takes away all the suspense.And then the real desaster seemed quite anticlimactic. Maybe it's only me, but the whole kidnapping part was - well, kind of boring. Not that I expected or wanted blood and gore, but it somehow was much milder than expected and it didn't touch me much. I was bored although this part was not very long. What I also disliked was the near constant weeping, sobbing and crying. I am the last person to begrudge someone a good crying fit and I also think men have the same right to tears without loosing masculinity points, BUT, it was just too much. It felt as if the protag was constantly either just drying his tears, or starting to cry. That also diminished the impact of his supposed pain for me.I think my main problem with the book was, that I didn't warm to the 1st person narrator. I felt detached and wasn't overly interested in him. I also felt that there a lot to be desired in the story and the plot (e.g. why not start a therapy instead of taking pills that ruin your life? Why is there no other journalist to do the second trip? Why so hesistant to break up with a girl that you don't love and who cheated on you? and so on...)When he went to Jordan after what had happened the last time he travelled into a hostile, unstable country, I also lost any interest in a HEA with his boyfriend. My only feeling was "serves you right" when the protag was all miserable (including some heavy crying) because his boyfriend didn't accept his decision and left him. And then an all-knowing elderly neighbour shared some wisdom with the clueless hero and voila HEA (I don't like this plot instrument much, as I find it quite unbelievable that people would discuss their most private feelings with strangers, but hey that's probably just me). And I would have liked the boyfriend better if he stuck with his decision to kick the egoistical and whiny protag to the curb. But so, the protag groveled a bit, offers marriage and all was great again in time for a sappy end.
What do You think about Stolen Summer (2011)?
This is a well written book. The story grabs right from the first page, I didnt want it to end.
—Shiehaam
Sometimes you just don't know when to quit. Excellent story.
—pawpaw
great story and PTSD portrayed realistically
—scout49
