The Summer of Kim Novak

The oft quoted expression is that you cannot judge a book by its cover.Truer words have never been spoken.Two of the cooler things about this book: the title (which definitely is intriguing) and the lovely cover (which seems to portray an ominous mystery to unfold).It is a pity, then, that these aspects were about all I liked from The Summer of Kim Novak, a book that turned out to be a huge letdown.First, I think calling this book a crime book is a tad misleading. It felt more like a coming-of-age young adult fiction masquerading as a crime/mystery. But that was not the problem at all.At points, in the early stages, this book has almost a nostalgic vibe to it, like a Swedish version of The Wonder Years or something. The crux of the plot is what is that an “incident” (commonly referred to as The Incident) happens that affects not only the narrator (14-year-old Erik), but those around him in one infamously memorable summer in the 1960s.It takes awhile for the us to get to this Incident, and beforehand much of the focus is on Erik detailing and explaining his family, their history and background and his meeting up with friend, Edmond, who will join him during this summer adventure. At point while Erik is in school, he become infatuated with a long-term substitute teacher, Ewa Kalundis, who has a striking resemblance to actress Kim Novak.I suppose what annoyed me about this book is what I find irritating about many similar “young adult” type books in the same variety: unlikable principle characters, stilted dialogue, superficial storytelling, unnecessary crudeness, and a somewhat aimless plot.The narration (from 14-year-old?) Erik’s point of view is sophomoric and juvenile. There is just too many points of “potty” jokes, unnecessary language, and teenage hormones running rampant. I guess this is supposed to add something to the book or be cute or funny or provide some comic relief. Alongside this, Erik is just not a likeable protagonist/narrator at all: he immature and petty and his is revealed through his narration. Things do pick up in the latter portions, but we must wade through so much of this tediousness and nonsense.Moreover, the mystery, considering the build up to it, is unremarkable. Not to mention that there are some amazing and convenient coincidences and points where we must suspend a little disbelief.And, while there are some moments of genuine intrigue in the book’s second half, I thought the conclusion disappointing as well.I had high hopes, but it never really happened. I guess it is what it is.

Despite his reputation and popularity, I'm not a big fan of Hakan Nesser's Inspector Sejer mysteries. The oddball geography of his corner of Scandinavia is confusing to one of Swedish extraction, and I don't find Sejer to be as wise and lovable as I think Nesser thinks he is!But THE SUMMER OF KIM NOVAK is a wonderful piece of writing not about Swedish police procedures but about the lives of some young Swedish teenagers, a pair of 14-year-old pals living with one's older brother in a dilapidated lake home in the woods until school will bring them back to town for the rest of the year. These youngsters live lives that will seem familiar in many ways to all men who were once naive youngsters with some creativity and some wisdom; but they don't have quite enough experience to deal wisely with the newcomer to town who looks exactly like the beautiful American movie star Kim Novak! I laughed out loud, as they say, many times as I read the dialog and almost heard the tones of voice and the cadences when either of the lads either wise-cracked or used any cliché they could think of to avoid answering adults' questions.There is a murder and there is an investigation and there's a police inspector we don't get to know very well. But while we might speculate about who committed the crime on the banks of the rural lake, we will not see the ending coming even when we turn to the last page and start reading the final paragraph!This brief book is so enjoyable I might give Inspector Sejer another try!

This book, though a mystery by a Swedish crime writer, works not as dark and brooding Nordic Noir but as something different: a coming-of-age story with an unsolved murder in its wake. The story starts in 1962 Sweden. Fourteen-year-old Erik's mother has aterminal cancer. To get him away, his father sends Erik and his older brother Henry and friend Edmund to lake house near a forest. The two younger boys spend much of their time daydreaming about a voluptuous young substitute teacher who bears a striking resemblance to Kim Novak. Their fun is interrupted one day by the discovery of a murder near the lake house. The crime is never solved. Over the years, each of the three boys is powerfully affected by this event. The culmination provides a jarring solution to the killing. Although the book feels a bit slow for a mystery, it feels more lyrical and thus more haunting. A short book that can be enjoyed even by people who do not read many whodunits.

First published in 1998, ‘The Summer of Kim Novak’ has not diminished because of age. Written as a memoir it feels and reads as a story told over drinks.Besides, when I was 14, (circa 1962), I thought Kim Novak was pretty — a hottie in 21st century parlance. Good read.

The story is writte from the point of view of one of the 14 year old protagonists. By the end of the book, the point of view is that of the 49 year old author. Although, in keeping with the nature of a summer on a lake, the narrator takes his time. Well worth reading, its exploration of secrets, desires, and experiences is lovely.

It was a very different story from most of my readings. The story was very well structured with quite a bit of information about the main characters. I found it very interesting how American culture had such an influence in Sweden in the 1960’s. I would read other work by this author if the opportunity arises.

This very nicely-written book took a very long time setting up the situation before starting the story. Although it's supposed to be about a murder, the murder does not take place until the book was about half done. So, I did not enjoy the pacing at all.The ending was so disappointing that I'm finding myself sorry that I wasted time reading the book through to the end. But, as entertainment goes, it must have been pretty good because I did make it all the way there.

A beguiling read about youth and innocence. Lilting and expressive, written in the words of a youthful mind. Absorbing and beautifully written.

Fantastic description of 1960s Sweden with twist at end with historical links. An excellent book.

I loved this book, it was a great coming of age story, about children on the cusp of adulthood. It was beautifully and wistfully written and I loved that it had a certain strangeness throughout, things were left unexplained and that there was a wonderful twist at the end.

Oh hey, das hab ich ja geschossen 😉