The Book of Summer

Gable weaves a tale of generations of women who have come back to the comfort of their home in Sconset, Nantucket, time and time again. On the cusp of a difficult divorce, physician Bess Codman returns to Sconset to visit her mother, Cissy, at Cliff House, their family home on the bluff overlooking the sea. While Cissy is determined to get local government to approve erosion prevention methods. Bess struggles with her impending divorce, unplanned pregnancy, and newly awakened feelings for her high school boyfriend, Evan Mahew. Interspersed with present-day events are the musings of the past from the Book of Summer, a book started by Sarah Young, one of the first residents of Cliff House in 1914. She asked family and friends alike to memorialize their stay at the summer home with pictures or tales of their visit. Entries in the book are highlighted throughout the novel, revealing the difficulties faced by other residents, most notably Bess’s beloved grandmother Ruby, who lived in the home during World War II. Gable cleverly illuminates the past, revealing how it mirrors the present. This is a splendid multigenerational novel about the strength of the women of Cliff House. 100,000-copy announced first printing. Agent: Barbara Poelle, Irene Goodman Literary Agency. (May)