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The Narrowboat Summer by Anne Youngson

The Narrowboat Summer

by Anne Youngson

  • Critics' Consensus (0):
  • Readers' Rating (23):
  • Published:
  • Jan 2021, 336 pages
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There are currently 23 reader reviews for The Narrowboat Summer
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Monica P. (Cleves, OH)

A Pleasant Read
I enjoyed reading The Narrowboat Summer. I learned a lot about canals and narrow boats which were two things I didn't know I would be interested in. I can't say that I necessarily liked Anastasia, but Sally and Eve had enough depth to keep me wanting to hear more about their lives. This was the perfect book to take my mind out of our current world and if the author writes a sequel, I would happy to read more about all the characters in this book.
Bettie T. (Johns Island, SC)

Navigating the forks in the stream
I knew nothing about narrowboats before I started reading The Narrowboat Summer by Anne Youngson. I never knew it was an option for an English holiday, much less a way of life for the denizens who live on them full- or part-time. And there are tunnels and bridges and locks (!) to navigate with at least a modicum of skill, though apparently one can pick up the necessary skills relatively quickly.

I was enchanted with the book, not just because of the pastoral setting (not always!), but also because of the strong development of main characters and some assorted family members and friends. For the three mainmore
Elizabeth D. (Apple Valley, MN)

Didn't Quite Live Up to My Expectations
I was thrilled to get an ARC of The Narrowboat Summer! Thank you so much to Book Browse, Net Galley, and Macmillan for the opportunity to read it early. Meet Me at the Museum by Anne Youngson is one of my favorite books, so I've been anxiously awaiting a new book from Ms. Youngson. I was especially excited when reading the description of the book - what better way to escape this terrible year of 2020 than by drifting along the canals of the English countryside getting to know three older female characters?

Unfortunately I didn't love this book as much as I hoped I would. The problem is likely mainly due to mymore
Jane H. (Prospect, KY)

The Narrowboat Summer
This was a pleasant read, but not one needing deep thought or commitment. The whole concept of two women meeting as strangers and agreeing to take on a boat trip when neither were familiar with boats was somewhat of a stretch. To stretch the idea even further, they took on the care of the elderly, somewhat crotchety boat owner. All were things you wish you would do if you were in a similar position, but realistically know it wouldn't be that easy. I liken it to the premise of EAT, PRAY, LOVE. This book might interest some book clubs as the relationships between the characters could be examined for discussion,more
Sarah M. (Kirksville, MO)

A slow, gentle read
Fans of Meet Me at the Museum, Youngson's first novel, will not find the same epistolary structure or poignant philosophical musings in this second outing. Narrowboat Summer has its own pleasures, though, as we witness two very ordinary middle age women, Eve and Sally, step out of their humdrum lives and agree on the spur of the moment to pilot a narrow boat through the canals of England while the boat's owner seeks medical treatment. How much a reader enjoys Narrowboat Summer will depend on how closely they identify with Eve and Sally.
Gerrie B. (Carmel, IN)

The Canal Stole The Show
Thank you to BrookBrowse for providing me with an ARC of The Narrowboat Summer. I had eagerly awaited this book as I had so enjoyed Anne Youngson's Meet me At The Museum. Fans of that book may be disappointed, as this book did not meet my expectations. In her new novel Ms. Youngson offers a view of life traveling the canals of England. The story revolves around the accidental meeting and blossoming friendship of three women who are all faced with pivotal moments in their lives offering a chance for introspection and growth. There are some lovely telling scenes and some notable quotes but the most fully developedmore
Power Reviewer
Cheryl W. (Crosby, MN)

3 attempts
I just could not get into this book
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