Death in Summer
Death in Summer by William Trevor, published by Penguin on October 1, 1999, is a literary work that delves into the complexities of life and loss. This novel unfolds through the lens of Thaddeus, who grapples with the sudden death of his wife, Letitia. As he navigates the aftermath of her passing, he faces further tragedies that unfold during a fateful summer, intertwining themes of grief and the search for connection amidst chaos.
Readers will find a narrative rich in suspense and mystery, as Thaddeus’s journey is marked by the arrival of a nanny and the unexpected consequences that follow. The story explores the intricacies of human relationships and the impact of loss, set against a backdrop that evokes both tension and introspection. With 240 pages, this edition presents Trevor’s signature style, characterized by compassion and artistry, making it a notable addition to the realms of fiction and literary thrillers.
Official synopsis Publisher
William Trevor’s Last Stories is forthcoming from Viking.
A New York Times Bestseller and Notable Book
From the winner of the 1999 David Cohen British Literature Prize comes an unforgettably chilling novel, written with the compassion and artistry that define Trevor’s fiction.
There were three deaths that summer. The first was Letitia’s, sudden and quite unexpected, leaving her husband, Thaddeus, haunted by the details of her last afternoon.
The next death came some weeks later, after Thaddeus’s mother-in-law helped him to interview for a nanny to bring up their baby. None of the applicants were suitable—least of all the last one, with her sharp features, her shabby clothes that reeked of cigarettes, her badly typed references—so Letitia’s mother moved herself in. But then, just as the household was beginning to settle down, the last of the nannies surprisingly returned, her unwelcome arrival heralding the third of the summer tragedies.
“William Trevor is an extraordinarily mellifluous writer, seemingly incapable of composing an ungraceful sentence. . . . His skill is very real, and equals his great compassion. With Death in Summer, these two qualities combine in a beautiful and resonant way.”—The New York Time Book Review
“Possibly the most perfect of Trevor’s novels . . . Astonishing.”—Los Angeles Times Book Review
“Beautifully paced and mesmerizing . . . Offering us a compelling mystery on many levels through . . . finely drawn, perfect glimpses of touchingly imperfect lives.”—The Washington Post Book World
Nominated for a Los Angeles Times Book Prize
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