Summer of '42

By: Herman Raucher

Narrated by: Braden Wright

A classic coming-of-age story and international best seller.

Captivating and evocative, Herman Raucher's semi-autobiographical tale has been made into a record-breaking Academy Award-nominated hit movie, adapted for the stage, and enchanted for generations.

In the summer of 1942, Hermie is 15. He is wildly obsessed with sex, and passionately in love with an "older woman" of 22, whose husband is overseas and at war. Ambling through Nantucket Island with his friends, Hermie's indelible narration chronicles his frantic efforts to become a man, especially one worthy of the lovely Dorothy, as well as his glorious and heartbreaking initiation into sex.

©1971 Herman Raucher (P)2017 Herman Raucher

Timeless love story beautifully told

What did you like best about this story?

A classic that always feels fresh. Perfect balance of humor and heartbreak. Terrific that an audiobook is now available. The movie is equally good. I am a longtime fan of the author's work and recommend his other novels and films, too.

Narrator detracts from the story

Recently while driving overnight on a 12 hour journey home, I decided to listen to Summer of '42 on Audible. The audio book is just as good as the book I read as a teenager almost 50 years ago. The narrator sounds great reading the script until he changes voices for Hermie, Oscy, and Benji. At that point he sounds like Seseme Street muppets. Kermit the frog, Ozzie Bear and Miss Piggy come to mind. I think Mr Wright should have skipped his exaggerated voices of three teenagers and stayed with his own voice. OBTW, Audible is a great way to stay awake at 3 am.

So great to hear this wonderful classic novel!

If you could sum up Summer of '42 in three words, what would they be?

Powerful, bittersweet, iconic

Who was your favorite character and why?

Hermie is a compelling character because he is on the one hand a typical teenage boy, but on the other he is more sensitive, more caring and introspective than most of his peers.

Have you listened to any of Braden Wright’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

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If you could take any character from Summer of '42 out to dinner, who would it be and why?

Actually I would love to take Herman Raucher, the author, out to dinner. He is a wonderful writer -- and seems like a wise and witty person. I bet he would make me laugh.

Any additional comments?

I have read Summer of 42 in book form several times, but it's fabulous to have it in audio form!

Enjoyable!

The narrator did an excellent job of bringing this gem to life. This book is poignant as well as hilariously funny. I'm so glad I listened to it.

A story for the ages

I discovered this book, dusty in a secondhand store, sometime around 1978. I was just a bit younger than Hermie in the book. I read it in an afternoon and through the years, the story has stayed with me. Poignant, beautiful. A glimpse into simpler times. This will always and forever remain a favorite.

Timeless beauty - classic!

An incredible story...beautiful and completely engrossing. I read it years ago and never tire of it...this audiobook is as amazing an iteration as the Oscar-nominated film!

I cannot recommend it highly enough!

Great Listen

Follows as well as expands the characters based in the movie. I read the book initially about 50 years ago and it was so much I had forgotten.....Highly recommend

Innocent and fun and interesting

Innocent and fun and interesting. Now I definitely know what was going on inside all the boys minds in high school. Whatever became of Ben?

One of the classic coming of age stories

If you could sum up Summer of '42 in three words, what would they be?

Tender coming of age story. Sweet and well-written.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Summer of '42?

The best part of the book is the story and the way it is told. Very easy to find oneself totally immersed in it.

Which character – as performed by Braden Wright – was your favorite?

Hermie

If you could take any character from Summer of '42 out to dinner, who would it be and why?

Hermie is the most interesting.

Any additional comments?

Great story. From the academy nominated movie to the book and now to this audible version, the story translates very well in all formats

brilliant and funny

I picked this because of the narrator, Braden Wright is one of my fave voices to listen to.
Not my usual genre, but I am glad I did. The emotions, the odd friendship between the 3 boys, the quirky workings of their teenage minds and the hilarious quips that had me laughing out loud, makes this story a delight and not easily forgotten. I recommend it with 5 stars.
Mr. Wright did an amazing job as usual, the voices he gave the characters were defined and the emotions clearly felt.
Thank you!