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The Summer Guest A Novel edition by Alison Anderson Literature Fiction eBooks

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The Summer Guest A Novel edition by Alison Anderson Literature Fiction eBooks

This is an elegantly written novel, very evocative of time and place. I found Anderson's depictions of Chekhov and pre-Soviet Ukraine to be most compelling, particularly her portraits of Russian gentry and the textures of rural life. By comparison her flashes to the present-time---including her references to Ukraine during the revolution of 2014---sometimes fell a little short, in my view. The melancholy was also perhaps layered on a little too thick, even if it was offset by redemptive notes near the end.

Overall, though, a worthwhile and engaging reader for any readers who appreciate Chekov and Slavic culture generally.


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The Summer Guest A Novel edition by Alison Anderson Literature Fiction eBooks Reviews

A story within a story within a story. And though the main one is not full of action, it is full of thought a blind person seeing the interplay of interesting person.
This book was a delightful insight into the personality of Anton Chekov, and also a bit of a mystery. Did he ever write a novel? Some of the most interesting reading was about the family he visited, especially the blind doctor, a woman with whom he developed a close friendship. The life in Russia and in Ukraine at the time is well described and fascinating. I highly recommend it.
Three women, two fictional characters, and one person who really lived, and is represented here in fiction - all in love one way or another with the writer Anton Chekhov. The book is an elegy for a slower, less tumultuous world, and for the connections between people that can be forged through great literature.
This novel is rich with profound though and insight. When one is faced with the pain and limits of a terminal illness, one begins to see paradoxical connections between beauty and sadness, hope and fate, death and love of life. Loved the story, loved the characters, loves the rich exploration of theme mixed with Chekocian sub text
Found the pace and story of the Chekov period much more compelling than the modern 'mystery' that was probably supposed to help carry the story. Oddly fascinating idea of a person going blind being able to write so much about her thoughts, just by feel.
Finally, an author with the skill and creativity to find a different story and tell it well. Not a particularly easy read with all the Russian names, but interesting enough that I was anxious to get back to reading each night and stayed up much too late not wanting to leave the characters for another 24 hours! As a retired English teacher, I found the references to the works of Chekhov and other literary giants well researched and refreshing. Good book club read.
For two years in spring and summer of the year 1888, two families meet at the Luka estate in Ukraine, Russia. Alison Anderson writes about those years in "The Summer Guest." There the Lintvaryova family will meet the Pavlovich family. One member of the Pavlovich family will become a very famous author named Anton Chekov. When we meet him at Luka, he is a Doctor of Medicine as well as a writer. He will spend unforgettable times with Zinaida Mikhailovna.

Zinaida M. is blind, suffers severe headaches and also seizures. However, she is always available for conversations with her family, friends and especially Anton Pavlovich. At this time, her most loved possession is her notebook. This diary will become the focus of a publisher named Katya and her husband, Peter, and a translator named Ana in the Twenty-First Century.

There are many delightful and meaningful aspects of this novel. One is the difference between the West and Russia. According to Alison Anderson, there is a philosophical side to Russians. Therefore, the conversations between these two and others at the guest house can become very heavy and thoughtful. For example, there are thoughts about death, the afterlife and why serious illnesses enter our lives and whom should a person love in marriage and how passionate should that person feel about their chosen vocation. Anton Pavlovich talks about time. He is aware that time is not infinite. To use the gift of time well, should he spend most of it healing other people or writing a novel.

When thinking of the title, I did have a hard time dealing with "The Summer Guest." I expected to read more about Anton Pavlovich and his family and friends rather than Zinaida Mikhailovna. This, of course, is due to his fame as a Russian author. He is the writer of "The Cherry Orchard" and "The Sea Gull" and other plays and short stories. However, Alison Anderson's focus seems to lean more on the importance of a woman's struggles during a five year illness.

This woman's life is given great significance by Alison Anderson. I caught on to her respect for this woman like a fish would to a worm. I will remember Zinaida's thoughtful conversations and her contributions to the family and her desire to leave the diary as a legacy to her niece. My point is why not give the title of the book to Zinaida M. rather than to the author, Anton Chekov, or perhaps, a title including both of these wonderful Russian people. As it stands now, the title is a bit misleading.

Yes, the author puts much in perspective about Anton Pavlovich near the end of the novel. This part of the Russian novel is very real and important too. I also would like to applaud the author for writing so much about the invisible life of a book translator.. I do not think these men and women get enough recognition. It came down to worrying whether Ana would receive all of her pay. This made me question the character of Katya and Peter. Were they truly honest as publishers while dealing with Russian Literature?
Zinaida M. does come across as a wonderful person. I can see her walking with one hand on the shoulder of someone else while carrying a baby on her hip. I can see her touching every part of Anton P's face in order to remember him, and I can see her sharing talks with her sister, Elena and their mother. Seeing this lady's handwriting in a notebook would have thrilled me beyond words.

As for Anton P., I will always see him walking from his bedroom through his brother's bedroom. His brother died early of consumption. I wonder did he think of his brother each time he passed through that bedroom. Anton P. seems like such a sensitive man. I'm sure he could hear again his brother coughing or his difficulty while trying to talk. Love, life, death, nature it is all here in "The Summer Guest" by Alison Anderson.
This is an elegantly written novel, very evocative of time and place. I found Anderson's depictions of Chekhov and pre-Soviet Ukraine to be most compelling, particularly her portraits of Russian gentry and the textures of rural life. By comparison her flashes to the present-time---including her references to Ukraine during the revolution of 2014---sometimes fell a little short, in my view. The melancholy was also perhaps layered on a little too thick, even if it was offset by redemptive notes near the end.

Overall, though, a worthwhile and engaging reader for any readers who appreciate Chekov and Slavic culture generally.