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Vinte Garotos No Verão (2014)

by Sarah Ockler(Favorite Author)

3.9 of 5 Votes: 2

languge

English

genre

Romance

publisher

Novo Conceito

review 1: "Weeping is not the same thing as crying, It takes your whole body to weep, and when it`s over, you feel like you don`t have any bones left to hold you up." Twenty Boy Summer was the perfect vacation read. It had all the makings of a summer fling story, with just the right amount of tragedy to cause you shed a tear for the "what might have been" and have hope for the "what might still be." I wanted to be Anna, traveling to California for the first time, experiencing the ocean and all the life that summer can bring when you are 16. I cried for her that she had to be the "strong one." Who can be that at 16? And I rejoiced with her as she finally found a way to let go. I did not want this story to end!
review 2: Hands down my favourite Sarah Ockler novel.In this o... morene we see main girl, Anna coping with the loss of her best guy-friend and potential-something-more, Frankie's older brother, Matt- who died in a car accident from a hidden heart defect. The Perino and Reiley families have lived next door to each other and the three have grown up together as a trio of best friends. However, Frankie never found out about the new relationship between Anna and Matt due to a promise to never reveal it until Matt planned to, but this complicated the friendship and her grief process with his premature death.A year later, we see the newly emerged- smoking, makeup-concerned, boy obsessed Frankie balanced by the guilty grieving, protective buffer Anna as they embark on the absolute best summer ever (A.B.S.E). Quite seriously they start a challenge of 20 boys in the 23 day California summer trip to Zanzibar Bay with Uncle Red and Aunt Jayne. A very light-hearted read as the two girls tan at a regular spot in the alcove part of the beach, video record their adventures and try to ditch Anna's albatross. They also make up girlfriends- Jackie and Samantha as covers while really sneaking out at night to meet surfing instructor Jake and smoothie shack employee Sam at the beach and house parties and taking secret trips to San Francisco. Unfortunately, as expected- eventually the secret comes out with an explosive confrontation. Already there is the underlying tension from the ongoing processing of Matt's loss and his presence on this yearly summer beach house vacation. The friendship unravels as harsh words are expressed, fabrications revealed and there is an invasion of privacy and other mean actions. Amongst this we find a surprising support person who is able to listen to Anna and help her to let go. A beautiful sea glass book cover which ties in neatly with the beach glass that makes an appearance in the rare red Frankie wears on her wrist and Matt's iconic blue glass necklace. An lovely underlying motif throughout the story. Enjoyed finding memories of the kind soul Matt and hearing his voice in postcards from past summers. Was quite fun to see the italicised, inner sarcastic rants of the childish Anna and her alternative universe responses to her reality. Some insightful stream of consciousness present despite her teen years with it's relevant petty dramas and antics. Loved Ockler's writing in this one- far more than her others. She created such sparkling metaphors and similes that beautifully captured the essence of human feelings and the gorgeous beach summer. Really enjoyed the real presence of the beach in the sound of waves and imagery related to the ocean. A great crafted story in all aspects. less

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