Book Review | Body Surfing by Anita Shreve
By Mrs S • Mar 18th, 2008 • Category: 4 stars, 50 book challenge, The Pub (2008)
Rating
4 stars - a really enjoyable read
Description
At the age of twenty-nine, Sydney has already been once divorced and once widowed. Trying to regain her footing, she has answered an ad to tutor the teenage daughter of a well-to-do couple as they spend a sultry summer in their oceanfront New Hampshire cottage.
But when the Edwardses two grown sons, Ben and Jeff, arrive at the beach house, Sydney finds herself caught up in a destructive web of old tensions and bitter divisions. As the brothers vie for her affections, the fragile existence Sydney has rebuilt is threatened.
Reason for reading
I’ve been a big fan of Anita Shreve since reading Eden Close many years ago and was avidly awaiting this novel’s paperback release.
First line
“Three o’clock, the dead hour. The faint irritation of sand grit between bare foot and floorboards.”
Review
I was happy to see the Beach House that has been a theme of Sheve’s earlier novels make another appearance - it’s interesting to read about the history of a house and the people who lived there lives within it in such different ways.
This particular tale revolves around Sydney, a woman twice married, once divorced and once widowed - who spends the summer at the Summer House tutoring the Edwardses teenage daughter.
The themes of the novel are family dynamics and secrets, love, marriage and deceit - and all are thrown together in a novel made up of broken paragraphs containing disjointed snippets of information, conversations, feelings and beautiful descriptions of Sydney’s thoughts and surroundings.
The novel explores Sydney’s relationship with Mrs Edwards - an awkward one - and the love that develops with Mr Edwards and Julie - as they welcome her into their family. And then of course their are the sons, Ben and Jeff who between them weave a web in which Sydney becomes entangled.
It’s hard to review this novel without giving away the story line - and there are so many twists and turns along the way I’d hate to reveal any secrets. It’s a beautiful book, well written and thought provoking - but one which can be devoured in a couple of sittings. Buy yourself a copy - you won’t be disappointed.
The Beach House
Some fellow readers have asked which Anita Shreve novels I’d recommend and in which order they should be read. Personally I’ve enjoyed all of them, although A Wedding in December is my least favourite. The Beach House that is owned by the Edwards family in Body Surfing also makes an appearance in the following novels:
- Fortune’s Rocks
- Sea Glass
- The Pilot’s Wife
- Body Surfing
I’d suggest starting with Fortune’s Rocks and reading on from there - and then visiting some of her other novels.
Reading Group notes and more detail about each of her novels can be found on this website.
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Tags: BodySurfing, Anita Shreve, Book Review
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Mrs S is is a lover of books! These are my thoughts on the books I've read. Have a different view? Leave me a comment below :)
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I am so excited! You want to know why? If you remember regarding Sunday’s discussion I left Sea Glass at the thrift store the last time I was there. When I went back yesterday they didn’t have it. But guess what I picked up instead? That’s right! Fortune’s Rocks. The very book you suggested starting with. Hardcover $2. You proud of me? It better have been worth the investment!
Have a wonderful weekend.
Oh Yay! What a bargain too - let’s just hope that you think it rocks!
Just discovered your blog! Anita Shreve is one of my favorite authors. My first one was The Pilot’s Wife and I’m now trying to work my way through them. I have this book on the shelf but haven’t gotten to it yet. I hope to soon!
@Maw Books - welcome to my little corner of the Internet - make yourself at home. It’s always good to discover another Shreve fan - I’ve enjoyed her novels through the years and think I’m nearly ready to start reading them all over again
Have you read The Weight of Water? So far that is my favorite of hers. I also read The Last Time They Met (which shares some of the characters, but I didn’t like as much), Sea Glass, and The Pilot’s Wife. I’ve often wondered which books I should read in which order.
Hi Trish - I’ve read all of them over the years - but can’t remember any of the story lines! I think that suggests i should read them all again
Thanks for leaving a comment on my blog. Glad you enjoyed this book. I thought it was one of Shreve’s more interesting tales.
I’ve not read The Pilot’s Wife, nor Fortune’s Rocks, though I have both in my To Be Read pile.
My favourite Shreve is probably Strange Fits of Passion, but, to be honest, it’s hard to find fault with any of her books — although I did think A Wedding in December was disappointing.
Hi Kim - thanks for stopping by. I agree A Wedding in December was disappointing - and that seems to be the general consensus too! I hope you enjoy the two you have on your TBR pile