Erie Reader Book Club: May 2025

Pantheon

SUNDAY, MAY 25

The Erie Reader Book Club will be reading and discussing the novel Summer by Ali Smith in correspondence with the Summer Preview Erie Reader issue.

The final installment in her Seasonal Quartet, Ali Smith's Summer tells a story of both past and present: in the present, two starkly different teenaged siblings find themselves at odds in a world in trouble. Sacha, a young activist, starkly contrasts her individualist brother, Robert. In the past, a different brother and sister enjoy a lovely summer, knowing that they're living on borrowed time.

Written during the throes of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the book uses not only the lockdowns in its plot, but other modern global topics including the conclusion of the Brexit process, Black Lives Matter protests, and immigration.

Each novel in the quartet is contrasted with a Shakespearean work, with Summer set against The Winter's Tale. Although the final in its series, it is not necessary to have read Smith's quartet in order – although characters from the previous novels do appear, their context within this story easily exists outside their other iterations.

Ultimately, Summer is the story of people on the verge of change: family members who think they're strangers, understanding where they begin and what they have in common when it seems they're only at odds with one another. This and more will be discussed at the May meeting. All are welcome to attend with no commitment to join in the future. 

1 p.m. // Werner Books and Coffee, 2608 Liberty St. // Free to join, cost of book not included // For more info: wernerbooks.com