Eva Ibbotson’s “A Song for Summer” is an enchanting story woven with themes of loss, hope, and enduring love.
Book Review: A Song for Summer (1997) by Eva Ibbotson
Ellen Carr, raised by a militant suffragette mother to be an intellectual, takes on a job in Austria as the housemother at the Hallendorf School of Music, Drama, and Dance. She hopes to indulge her love for cooking, but she discovers a whimsical place filled with wild children, teachers who champion nudity, experimental dancers, and even a tortoise on wheels.
While life inside Hallendorf is idyllic, the looming threat of Hitler’s Reich casts a dark shadow over Europe. Ellen forms a budding friendship with Marek, the mysterious groundsman, and through him, she confronts the harsh reality of fleeing Nazi persecution. As the threat of war looms, Ellen discovers a passionate love that defines her life.
This summary of Eva Ibbotson’s moving novel captures the fleeting serenity of life in the Austrian Alps, which is quickly being overtaken by the growing unrest in Europe.
Domesticity Amidst Eccentricity
Ellen Carr defies the ambitious expectations of her feminist family, finding joy in domesticity and homemaking. She leaves Cambridge to embrace this life, relocating to a remote village in the Austrian Alps. At the Hallendorf School, she becomes a housemother to a group of lively children and open-minded academics.
Ellen has a Mary Poppins/Maria from The Sound of Music vibe, bringing order to the chaotic Hallendorf School. The place hosts a variety of eccentric characters—atheists, Marxists, existentialists, naturalists, and more—a haven for rich, problematic children abandoned by their preoccupied parents.
Through hard work and empathy, Ellen quickly becomes the heart of the school, a stabilizing force with an innate ability to heal troubled souls. She finds a kindred spirit in Marek, a hardworking and charismatic groundsman.
Marek’s mysterious disappearances to collect folksongs and his secretive nature, including wearing unnecessary glasses, suggest he’s hiding from something. As the peaceful days of summer draw to an end, the freedom and expression at Hallendorf can’t survive the impending war.
The developing romance between the mysterious groundsman and the compassionate housemother faces its own challenges. Will their love endure? You’ll need to read the book to find out.
Compelling, Evocative and Poignant
“A Song for Summer” is my second foray into Eva Ibbotson’s work. After enjoying her book “The Morning Gift,” I was eager for more of her storytelling.
Ibbotson writes beautifully, drawing readers into a world on the brink of war, focusing on two potential lovers facing immense upheaval. Her writing is poignant yet not overly dramatic.
With wit, humor, and rich folkloric details, Ibbotson’s style is both crisp and refreshing, reminiscent of one of my favorite authors, Mary Stewart.
“A Song for Summer” is a captivating read, rich with themes of loss, hope, and lasting love. It’s definitely worth picking up. I’m eager to explore more of Ibbotson’s books.
Content Note: Nothing else to add.
Adaptation Recommendation: This story would make an excellent miniseries, similar to “The Durrells in Corfu.” The quirky characters could be wonderfully cast. I can easily imagine Michiel Huisman as Marek.
Have you read Eva Ibbotson’s “A Song for Summer”? What are your thoughts on this historical fiction novel?
