The Summer of Our Discontent by Robin Alexander

The Summer of Our Discontent by Robin Alexander

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Starting in roughly 1983, when both were pre-teens, and for roughly another 30 years, Faith ‘Chub’ Leblanc and Rachel Chauvin have been each other’s archrival/villain/enemy. Both were stubborn. Both were the kind of girl who’d much prefer getting dirty, and wandering the outdoors than being cooped up inside; both were quite similar, and ended up bumping into each other a lot. And both wanted to do what the other wanted to do – at the same time, and both were too stubborn to allow the other to go first. So, rivals. For 30 years. But for a moment here or there when college occurred. And, it should also be pointed out, Faith lost that ‘Chub’ nickname, given because she was, as might be expected, chubby – at least until about her senior year of high school.

Well, it’s some time in ‘contemporary time’. Dates were given for some childhood scenes, but I didn’t notice a date given for ‘present time’. Let’s call it something like 2013. Small town Louisiana, 2013.

Rachel has a kid of her own now and that leads directly into being thrust into a somewhat uncomfortable position. For right next door lives Faith, and while Faith herself doesn’t have any kids of her own, her sister Patty has recently moved in and has one – right around the same age as Kaycee (Rachel’s daughter). Sophie (Patty’s daughter) and Kaycee quickly become very friendly –f or they are quite similar in their desires of what they want to do – they are like miniature versions of Faith and Rachel – but without the stubborn streak that kept those two from becoming friends.

For the sake of her daughter, and for the sake of her niece, both Rachel and Faith attempt to tone down their rivalry . . and fail miserably. 30 years of pranks, stunts, name calling, and other antics is a long time to fall into a habit – one that won’t break easily.

Then the ‘worst of all worlds’ occurs, from both their perspectives – both end up being the adult chaperone’s on a 2 week summer camp trip – neither knowing the other was going until both showed up at the bus. Neither can now back out – they are there for the kids, Sophie and Kaycee to be specific.

After being literally caught rolling around the dirt fighting each other, the camp head informs Faith and Rachel that she’s going to make them leave if they don’t call a temporary truce. Neither wants to disappoint their blood relatives, so they attempt to restrain themselves.

Weeks pass, two to be exact. Stuff occurs, like swimming, and tackling massively huge snakes and weird scary camp visitors. And with the truce on, certain feelings leak out. And smother both of them.

A rather fun and exciting book. Hmm, exciting might not be the right word there. Well, humorous. Interesting. Fun. Enjoyable.

Rating: 4.90

February 2 2017




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