The Summer I Dared

By: Barbara Delinsky

Narrated by: Julia Gibson

On Big Sawyer island, life is as steady as the routine of the lobstermen who leave with the tide each morning and return with their haul each night. But for 40-year-old New Yorker Julia Bechtel, life and what’s important in it are about to be forever altered when she survives a terrible boat accident en route to the island. Now, in the company of her aunt and daughter, Julia finds herself feeling strangely connected to the tragedy’s other survivors - Noah, a divorced lobsterman, and Kim, a young woman rendered mute since her rescue - and newly outraged at the state of her marriage to a domineering man. Seeing the world with new eyes, Julia vows to embrace life with all of its joys and uncertainties. And the journey begins on Big Sawyer....

©2005 Barbara Delinsky (P)2011 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"Delinsky may be as adept at chronicling contemporary life in New England as any writer this side of John Updike." ( Times Union)

Great story!

Barbara never fails to take the reader with her! Love the imagery of Big Sawyer Island! Julia Gibson does an amazing job bringing the characters to life! Thank you, ladies!

OK But Not One of Delinsky's Best

I enjoyed this book but I did not think it was one of her best -- not in the same category with Coast Road or Three Wishes. Having said that, the story was engaging and the narrator was solid (a little too sweet voiced for me). I just thought she didn't really get below the surface on the central idea -- surving an accident that kills many others. Also, although the main character persists in saying that she is not running to a new man after shedding her olds man -- that's exactly what happens.

Enjoyable book about life on a Maine Island with excitement and romance

Interesting book set on a Maine Island. This book caught my interest since I vacationed in Maine for many years. Adding romance and some exciting adventures kept my interest throughout the book.

Good driving book

Would you consider the audio edition of The Summer I Dared to be better than the print version?

Most likely

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Summer I Dared?

When No ah and his son are caught in the storm

What about Julia Gibson’s performance did you like?

She gave the characters passion

If you could rename The Summer I Dared, what would you call it?

The Summer I Found My Power

Any additional comments?

The story did drag a little in places, but overall I enjoyed it

Makes me want to visit Big Sawyer Island

What did you love best about The Summer I Dared?

Sweet love story. How people deal with adversity.

What other book might you compare The Summer I Dared to and why?

Can't think of one at the moment

How did the narrator detract from the book?

I have listened to other books narrated by Julia Gibson and her narration is top-notch, and she is one of my favorite narrators. So, I don't know if this narration is one of Ms. Gibson's earlier works and she has since greatly improved, but her narration of this novel was poor and greatly distracted from the dialogue of the characters. Ms. Gibson's swallowing was very audible and frequent throughout the book. I listened to most of the book on 1.25x speed as doing this shortened her swallowing time. I did finish listening to the book despite the poor narration because I am a big fan of Barbara Delinsky.

If you could rename The Summer I Dared, what would you call it?

The Summer I Stopped Being a Doormat. (I obviously find questions like this irrelevant for a review.)

one of my favorite Delinsky books

I read this in hardback, then in paperback a few years later. Now I have listened twice! Awesome book! Especially for anyone with a controlling husband. (mine is great!) when I read this book, I feel like I am living the life of the main character.