The Last Summer (of You & Me) by Ann Brashares

Brashares, Ann. "The Last Summer (of You & Me)". 2007.

Ease with which to read/enjoyable author style 4.5

Suitable ending 3.5 (The ending could have gone either way; this was a mite contrived, though satisfying)

Personal favoritism 4.25

Poetic language 4

Memorable 3.5

Original, creative plot 2.5

Original, well-developed characters 2.5

Probability of recommendation 3.75

Ability to "move" emotionally 4.75

Literary value and/or educational value 2

Total: 35.25

Final Rating: 3 1/2 stars

4-sentence summary:

Alice and Riley are two sisters who live in a beach house on Fire Island, NY during their summers. They've grown up next to Paul, who is Riley's best friend and Alice's protector. As they pass through their 20's, they contemplate what it means to grow up, moving on to the future, and holding on to the past. Set amidst a sea (har har) of family drama, angsty unrequited love, insane guilt complexes, and the loyalty between sisters is also a beautiful and poetic coming-of-age tale.

Critique:

The book is poignant and fiercely romantic, but has some obvious flaws. As the author of the "Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants" books, the author has some obvious desire to tell the tale of what happens after you're a teenager; a "coming of age" tale. Unfortunately, the author forces the coming of age tale by inserting lack of communication, illness, and separation in order to do so. And although Ann Brashares got her fame in the young adult genre, this book has some sensual scenes that are not appropriate for younger audiences. All in all, however, the book's cliches and well-worn characters are still lovable, even if contrived. The book was impossible to put down, and, as it is set on the beach, would be a perfect beach read. Remember to bring tissues, though; it's a real tear-jerker. I could easily see this as a movie. It was very Nicholas Sparks-esque.

Post- Script:

I just checked the Wikipedia page and found that in fact the movie is in the works. The rights to the movie was bought for 1 million dollars and it will be directed by the same woman who directed "The Last Song", a Nicholas Sparks movie. No surprise there.