A Summer to Die cover art

A Summer to Die

Preview

Try for $0.00
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo + applicable taxes after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

A Summer to Die

Written by: Lois Lowry
Narrated by: Andi Arndt
Try for $0.00

$14.95 a month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy Now for $14.09

Buy Now for $14.09

Confirm purchase
Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Tax where applicable.
Cancel

About this listen

Acclaimed author Lois Lowry's first novel, A Summer to Die is a poignant and perceptive tale of love and tragedy.

Meg isn't thrilled when she gets stuck sharing a bedroom with her older sister Molly. The two of them couldn't be more different, and it's hard for Meg to hide her resentment of Molly's beauty and easy popularity. But now that the family has moved to a small house in the country, Meg has a lot to accept.

Just as the sisters begin to adjust to their new home, Meg feels that Molly is starting up again by being a real nuisance. But Molly's constant grouchiness, changing appearance, and other complaints are not just part of a new mood. And the day Molly is rushed to the hospital, Meg has to accept that there is something terribly wrong with her sister. That's the day Meg's world changes forever. Is it too late for Meg to show her true feelings?

©1977 Lois Lowry (P)2014 Blackstone Audio, Inc.
Depression & Mental Health Family Young Adult
activate_Holiday_promo_in_buybox_DT_T2

What listeners say about A Summer to Die

Average Customer Ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    6
  • 4 Stars
    1
  • 3 Stars
    1
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    4
  • 4 Stars
    2
  • 3 Stars
    0
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    4
  • 4 Stars
    2
  • 3 Stars
    0
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Captivating short story

it should go without saying that this is a tear-jerker but manages to beautifully capture the humbling realization of our mortal existence.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

spoilers in review!!

SPOILERS BELOW!!


I knew she would die. It was in the title. That didn't stop the tears, the dreadful anticipation and the knowledge that Molly's superficial, childish dreams would be gone with her. I loved how the speaker viewed Molly as a little unserious and not having proper priorities. I thought it was a very effective way to reinforce individualism and how important what some may view as frivolous or unimportant are valuable to others.

I'm glad that Molly's death was avoided by Meg because I honestly didn't want to see much of it; I wanted to remember and see Molly as Meg did: smiling and running through flowers and forever living in summer.

I don't think I can be impartial about books where characters die young or suddenly. It's, unfortunately, a little too close to home. My own life and losses influence my experiences to a point where my own biases blur and I cannot separate the work from myself. It makes it difficult to judge and recommend a book. Because, while everyone experiences books and art differently, my objectivity is compromised. I don't even know if I enjoyed it, but I'm at a point where reading about death and crying about loss feels cathartic. Sometimes. Sometimes, I run back to my erotic fantasy novels that I know won't rummage through my mind and feelings as much. Today, I felt like confronting death, mortality, and grief. I'm glad I did. This book helps me sigh, helps me cry, helps me feel some of those painful things and not feel so alone as I do. The book was an understanding hand to hold. Books are wonderful. A Summer to Die was wonderful, in a strange and heartbreaking way.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!