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There are currently 31 member reviews
for The Narrowboat Summer
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tmmarti
Review not rated
RE: What do you think Plan Number One will entail? What does the future hold for these characters? Which character did you feel most drawn to and invested in by the novel's end?
I loved both Sally and Eve. Both of these characters had their lives shaken up and leveraged a unique opportunity on the narrow boat that resulted in some wonderful friendships and room for reflection to see a path forward in their lives.
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catherynez
Review not rated
RE: Do you feel there are different kinds of contentment? What does the word mean to you personally, and when do you find you're most content?
I agree contentment can mean different things in various stages of life.
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catherynez
Review not rated
RE: Sally says, "it's sometimes harder to endure the everyday than it is to cope with a big trauma"? Do you agree? What do you make of her reasons to end her marriage?
I agree with the above responses. The day to day endurance can just wear you down. It all depends on the situation. I can see where Sally could have so much mental and emotional wear from a chronic situation that she would say she’s had enough. Sometimes, at that point if you get away from the situation for awhile both people can see the problems more clearly. Then, they can either work towards fixing the problems and staying together or realizing they should divorce. A trauma is usually a more finite situation. Also, trauma is recognized by everyone involved that it’s a problem. In some daily wear down situations, one person ( usually the man) thinks everything is ok or is ignoring the problems until the other person has had enough.
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gwenc
Review not rated
RE: Sally says, "it's sometimes harder to endure the everyday than it is to cope with a big trauma"? Do you agree? What do you make of her reasons to end her marriage?
For me, the trauma I've endured threw me into automatic pilot. I got through it and only allowed the impact into my emotions until the crisis had passed. The day in, day out hum drum is what seeps into you until you take a stand and change things. I applauded Sally. She really didn't have a marriage as such. I felt bad for her when she realized her hairdresser really didn't understand and the world might not share her perspective.
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carolt
Review not rated
RE: How can truth be different than fact, especially when it comes to storytelling (and novel writing)? What purpose do Billy's stories serve in the narrative?
A fact is a simple statement: It is bitterly cold outside. (Can you tell it is February in Iowa?) The truth is: While the weather appears bright and beautiful, people are freezing the death, dogs are left to suffer (and die), and cabin fever can set in. Billy's stories probably aren't at all factual, but they do hold truths, sometimes small, sometimes large, that help each woman come to some realization about herself.
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clairelm
Review not rated
RE: How do the three women approach the big decisions they face in this novel? Is there an element of randomness inherent in decision-making?
I feel Big decisions require wider perspective to allow new possibilities to enter. At the start, no one was looking for an answer, just a chance to think their own thoughts in peace. How else can one arrive at an open mind? Constant work and tending to others leaves no place to consider alternatives.
As time on the water soothed the soul they all blossomed and the new possibilities entered in a way that feel not random but organically unfolding. New opportunities were revealed in light of a reshaped reality. Times change and people see things differently.
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leslieh
Review not rated
RE: Overall, what do you think of The Narrowboat Summer (please, no spoilers in this thread)
I agree with Suzi - pure, lovely escapism. I kept thinking that I wish an opportunity like this would come up for me and I could meet a completely new group of people with so many different backgrounds. I enjoyed getting to know all the characters and their stories. I've told a number of friends about this book.
