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Summer In February Kindle Edition

by Jonathan Smith (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 396 ratings
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Sir Alfred Munnings, retiring President of the Royal Academy, chooses the 1949 Annual Banquet to launch a savage attack on Modern Art. The effect of his diatribe is doubly shocking, leaving not only his distinguished audience gasping but also many people tuning in to the BBC's live radio broadcast. But as he approaches the end of his assault, the speech suddenly dissolves into incoherence when he stumbles over a name - a name he normally takes such pains to avoid - that takes him back forty years to a special time and a special place.

Summer in February is a disturbing and moving re-creation of a celebrated Edwardian artistic community enjoying the last days of a golden age soon to be shattered by war. As resonant and understated as The Go-Between, it is a love story of beauty, deprivation and tragedy.

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  1. Print length
    366 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  4. Publisher
    Abacus
  5. Publication date
    July 26, 2012
  6. File size
    873 KB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
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  9. Enhanced typesetting
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Editorial Reviews

Review

an engrossing and surprisingly dark novel...―SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

This is a book rich in incident and richer still in its subtle and intricate analysis of emotional depths. It is also a meticulous re-creation of artistic life near the beginning of this century.―THE TIMES

Imaginative.―DAILY MIRROR

Subtle and affecting, a tender Edwardian love story.―GOOD HOUSEKEEPING

About the Author

Jonathan Smith was educated in Wales and at St John's College, Cambridge. KBO: The Churchill Secret, his seventh novel, is being adapted into a major ITV drama. An earlier novel, Summer in February, was made into a feature film, starring Dan Stevens and Dominic Cooper.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00GU3DI14
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Abacus (July 26, 2012)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ July 26, 2012
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 873 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 366 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 396 ratings

About the author

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Jonathan Smith

Jonathan Smith

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Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
4.2 out of 5
396 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

sir henry
5.0 out of 5 stars Impossibly brilliant
Reviewed in the United States on June 29, 2014
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I've waited a long time to find a book to join "The English Patient" in its brilliance. The story, in itself, is at once provoking and tense, but further on, Jonathan Smith's depictions of Cornwall in the early years of the last century are as vital and colorful as if painted on canvas. The whole artist community becomes alive and real, and the story--based on real people and their hidden truths--gives depth and suspense. I, as a writer, swooned at times at the turn of phrase, or the immaculate dialogue, and found not a flaw. Every now and then a book comes along that surprises--Summer in February is that surprise. Hack readers need not apply, for this gem could hardly be appreciated by typical genre enthusiasts. This is pure literature and am so glad it was resurrected from its 1996 origin.
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CGB
4.0 out of 5 stars Touching, Memorable Story . . . and better than the movie!
Reviewed in the United States on April 18, 2014
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The book tells the story of a group of artists--and others--living and working in Cornwall in the early part of the 20th century. It's a true story written in the style of a novel, focusing on a love triangle, of sorts, between famed British artist Alfred Munnings, beautiful and enigmatic Florence Carter-Wood, and Gilbert Evans, a former captain in the British-Boer war. The characters were very well drawn, and I did become engrossed in their story, more than I thought I would at first. In fact, I almost didn't finish (or really even start) the book because the first 20 pages or so described in excruciating detail an ultra-boring speech Munnings made some thirty or forty years after the main story takes place. I finally bypassed that section and skipped forward to the real action, telling myself that if there was anything I needed to know about that speech later on, I could go back to it. There wasn't and I didn't. The story and characters stayed with me long after I finished the book, which is always the sign of a good read.
8 people found this helpful
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5.0 out of 5 stars Summer in February
Reviewed in the United States on January 29, 2013
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I can't wait till the movie comes out sometime this year. The book is beautifully written although it's a tragic love story. Since it is based on the life story of real people, the ending proved to be so tragically unnerving. I cried at the ending of this story more than any other sad story I have read in my life, probably because it is not fiction. I can't imagine what drive people to kill themselves. To think that she once tried before she succeeded in ending her life.
As much as I don't like tear jerker movies, I can't wait to see this one, since Dan Stevens co-produced and starred in this movie.
4 people found this helpful
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Shelvie J. Cole
3.0 out of 5 stars Waiting for Movie
Reviewed in the United States on February 2, 2014
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The book was OK, but I think the movie will be a great deal better. Difficult to get into it at first.
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Fran Jurga
5.0 out of 5 stars Downton Abbey by the Sea with Horses
Reviewed in the United States on January 5, 2013
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I was surprised how much I enjoyed this book. I'm also sorry that so many people online have given away the ending.

Here's part of the review on my blog, of both the film-making and the story:

In 2013, fans of the lavish PBS series Downton Abbey may have to get up from the couch and head to the local cinema to see a new film that combines the glorious fashion and elegance of the pre-World War I years in Britain with an icon of the equestrian world. Mix in the appeal of the actor who plays the romantic Matthew Crawley on the PBS series and you can see why ears are going up around the world.

Dominic Cooper, Dan Stevens (Matthew Crawley on Downton Abbey) and Emily Browning star in the passionate and tragic true story of love among the artists residing in a picturesque fishing village in Cornwall. And the artist isn't just any artist-it's Sir Alfred Munnings, whom many consider the finest painter of horses in history.

The artists have gathered together to paint out in the "plein air" but they seem to spend a lot of time having parties. Munnings has a predilection for reciting poetry, as long as people are listening-who knew?

The film is based on a book by the same name; its author, Jonathan Smith, found the principle character's diary documenting the story; it inspired him to write the book

The film was shot exactly where the story happened, as well as up and down the coast around Penzance, and is now in post-production; it will premiere next year.

Dan Stevens admitted to having to do some remedial equestrian work to prepare for the role, which includes at least one good gallop on the beach.

The Cambridge graduate, who has been in New York this month for a Broadway performance, is no stranger to horses; few people know that he is the narrator of the original audio version of War Horse by Michael Morpurgo. It was shortlisted for "Audiobook of the Year 2010″. He also rode in the BBC's production of Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility in 2007, after which he remarked, "It was brilliant - I wish there were more situations in life where I could pull up on a horse and announce something."

Few stills are available so we don't know if the script called for Emily Browning to actually ride sidesaddle; the real-life Munnings painted her character riding his own horse, Merrilegs, in the famous painting, "The Morning Ride", which graces the cover of the book.

Horses are what Munnings painted, to be sure, but this film will be much more of a love story than a horse story. Maybe horses will be the background, and if they're anything like the ones Munnings painted, they'll be beautiful.

A new copy of Summer in February is hard to find in the USA but you probably have time to order one from a British bookseller between now and Christmas, or you can download the Kindle version. The book will surely be reissued before the premiere but for now all you can find are a few copies of the 1996 edition, both new and used.

A copy of Summer in February would make a great gift for anyone who loves horses, art, Downton Abbey-or all three. Or buy it for yourself-you know you want to. Just don't ever tell anyone how it ends.

See photos at [...]
14 people found this helpful
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Kay
5.0 out of 5 stars An amazing person and painter
Reviewed in the United States on August 3, 2013
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This was a wonderful book and very heartwarming story. I would recommend it to anyone. He was an amazine person, a genius in his own right, and a fabulous painter.
4 people found this helpful
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Appletje
4.0 out of 5 stars well written biography
Reviewed in the United States on June 15, 2013
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The book describes a beautiful setting, interesting characters, and a tragic end. It is hard to put this book down, the words flow easily.
It gives one a revealing inside to the character of Sir Alfred Munnings.
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PA Lady
5.0 out of 5 stars Summer in February.....you will not forget its wonderful characters.
Reviewed in the United States on April 21, 2013
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Touching story of love and regret among a colony of artist in Cornwall prior to World War 1. A sensitive and revealing insight to the feelings of love and devotion for a beautiful visitor to the colony that remain in place for many years. These are characters that stay with you long after you have finished the book.
4 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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Susan Stevens
5.0 out of 5 stars Lovely book
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 2, 2024
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As I live in the area the story is based, I already knew a lot of it however, it is well written. Immerse yourself n the scenery and the lives of the artists.
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Sally M.
4.0 out of 5 stars a novel for artists
Reviewed in Canada on January 8, 2014
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An interesting novel based on real people and events of an artist colony in Cornwall Eng. It has been made into a British film
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Eliza B.
5.0 out of 5 stars Absolut lesenswert!!
Reviewed in Germany on December 10, 2014
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Obwohl das Buch mehrere Jahre umfasst ist es kurz & knackig gehalten. Der Autor hat für jede seiner Personen einen eigenen Sprachduktus entwickelt - einfach genial! Man hat das Gefühl, die Figuren zu sehen, zu hören und ihre Sinneseindrücke zu teilen. Das Gefühl einer sich anbahnende Katastrophe schleicht sich langsam an den Leser heran. Gleichzeitig ist es faszinierend zu sehen, wie anders die Welt zu dieser Zeit noch funktionierte - nicht nur für Fans von Downton Abbey interessant, sondern auch für Impressionismus - Begeisterte!
3 people found this helpful
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Miss Susan Beck
4.0 out of 5 stars Well written, informative, gripping and very sad story.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 25, 2013
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I bought this book because I am interested in Sir Alfred Munnings who painted a picture of the place where I live. I have read the three unabridged volumes of his autobiography. I enjoyed them being a lover of horses, the countryside and paintings. I read on an internet site that he had had a first wife who committed suicide and was curious as Munnings does not mention this in his autobiography.

Because of the publicity re the recent film made from the book Summer in February I was keen to read the book and see the film.

I would recommend this book. I thought it was well written and it is a very gripping story, with the addition of being set in beautiful Cornwall. Unlike some faction novels, I felt that the author stuck to the facts he actually had evidence of and portrayed the characters well, all of whom were real people. In this book you learn about the Lamorna group of artists, partiularly Harold and Laura Knight which I found fascinating. Also many incidents portrayed in the book were also in Munnings' autobiography. Munnings was a hard swearing, hard drinking man who loved to be the centre of attention and entertain his friends with recitals of poetry, including some of his own. He liked painting gypsies and seemed a bit of a gypsy himself, moving around from place to place, often at short notice. However he worked hard at his art, working outdoors in all weathers. Florence remains an enigmatic character and it is difficult to understand why she ever agreed to marry Munnings, let alone went through with it. It is a sad story for all concerned but I still felt a bit of sympathy for Munnings in the situation, although far more for Gilbert Evans. As for Florence, I am not sure if she was a victim or a bit of a minx. Florence's brother asks Evans what he thinks of his sister. He says "extraordinary" and the brother replies "but not extraordinarily odd?".
7 people found this helpful
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ben bone
2.0 out of 5 stars Slow and rather tedious
Reviewed in France on June 17, 2013
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I read this book after seeing review of the film. It,s rather a dull book and nothing in it gave any spark. A bit like reading someone's diary who has nothing to say.
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