The Summer We Read Gatsby by Danielle Ganek

The Summer We Read Gatsby by Danielle Ganek

THE SUMMER WE READ GATSBY by Danielle Ganek

Publisher: Plume

Publication Date: May 31, 2011

Summary: A delightful comedy of manners about two sisters who must set aside their differences when they inherit a house in the Hamptons

Half-sisters Cassie and Peck could not be more different. Cassie is a newly divorced journalist with her feet firmly planted on the ground; Peck is a vintage-obsessed actress with her head in the clouds. In fact, the only thing they seem to have in common is their inheritance of Fool’s House, a rundown cottage left to them by their beloved Aunt Lydia. But Cassie and Peck can’t afford the house, and they can’t agree on anything, much less what to do with the place. Plus, along with the house, they’ve inherited an artist-inresidence and self-proclaimed genius named Biggsy who seems to bring suspiciously bad luck wherever he goes. As these two likable sisters try to understand their aunt’s puzzling instructions to “seek a thing of utmost value” from within the house, they’re both distracted by romantic entanglements with men from their pasts. The Summer We Read Gatsby, set in the end-of-an-era summer of 2008, is filled with fabulous parties, eccentric characters, and insider society details that showcase Ganek’s pitch-perfect sense of style and wit.

Review: Some of my favorite memories have come from long summer days. So when I’m trying to decide what to read while sitting in the sun, on the beach or in a pool, I always gravitate towards summer-based fiction. I want to be able to read words that capture this feeling of complete and total relaxation, freedom and happiness. I am so glad I picked THE SUMMER WE READ GATSBY. Danielle Ganek, author of Lulu Meets God and Doubts Him, has hit a home run with this novel that explores the lives of two sisters (technically half-sisters, but anyone with a sister will recognize the dynamics as ringing perfectly true). Pecksland “Peck” and Stella are as opposite as two women can be. Where Peck is curvy, vivacious and charming, Stella is tall, thin, cynical and quick to judge. She doesn’t seem to trust people easily, including her sister Peck. When the two sisters learn they have inherited their great aunt Lydia’s house in the Hamptons, appropriately named “Fool’s House,” they are thrown together with unexpected circumstances at every turn.  Fool’s House is overwhelming to the girls in its dilapidated state and neither one has the resources to afford its upkeep. To make matters even more confusing, their aunt has instructed them to “seek a thing of utmost value,” from within the house. The summer becomes a learning experience for both girls as they must learn how to come together, despite their differences and embrace the unexpected. They also begin to unravel secrets within themselves, face issues that have long been unresolved and learn to appreciate the blessings in life, no matter how small they may seem. This book offers a wonderful life lesson to appreciate what you have and resist questioning that which can not be explained or understood completely. Stella, the character who experiences the most change in the novel, learns to let go of what she can’t control and enjoy the ride of life.  A lesson her sister Peck seems to have already mastered, and that which makes her a very enjoyable character to watch throughout the novel. I really loved this book and can’t recommend it enough! A perfect summer read with great characters, an enchanting setting and eloquent prose.