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Title: Year Without Summer, The
Authors: Glasfurd, Guinevere
Genre: Fiction
Pages: 390
Year: 2020
Language: English
Description: With the 1815 eruption of Mount Tambora in Indonesia, the global climate is disrupted and the year that follows is without a summer. The far-reaching effects of the temporary climate change play out with profound consequences, both personal and political, and are traced through the lives of six unconnected global citizens - some invented, some adapted and others familiar (artist John Constable and writer Mary Shelley).

This is an unforgettable story of the largest volcanic eruption in recorded history, passionately rendered and a powerful reminder of the aftermath of climate breakdown in an unfair world.

Categories: Fiction, Environmental, Grief/loss, Historical, Social commentary/perspectives, Tragedy/disaster, USA, UK, Indonesia, 2022 Titles, Larger font

Reviews

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By: AUCK 065 2024-02-15 13:55:27
2.5 
The subject topic was excellent and most informative, but the way the book jumped from person to person was annoying.

By: OAMAR 004 2024-02-15 13:53:24
3.5 
Amazed that none of us knew about this piece of history. The style of the story was difficult to follow. Separate short stories would have worked better.

By: WESTP 001 2023-06-21 12:43:15
4 
As we were ignorant about the Mount Tambora eruption and its consequences for other countries, we appreciated the historical aspect of this book. Our discussions included climate change, poverty and instant information spread. Some members found the structure distracting.

By: CHCH 395 2023-05-17 14:07:04
4 
The group enjoyed this book. We agreed it wasn't an enjoyable or uplifting read but it was interesting and worth a read.

By: GORE 001 2023-03-27 12:05:33
5 
An extremely profound book - written with care to detail of each of the characters, including their local patois, living situations, beliefs and passions. A very important addition to the fractious subject of climate change. We learned a great deal about what can happen with a change of weather and felt overwhelmed by our new knowledge. Thank you, Guinevere Glasfurd.

By: INVER 002 2023-01-12 11:26:10
3.5 
Several members found this to be a depressing story and a bit disjointed. I learnt a lot - the effects of a volcano; what the Tongan volcano is doing to the world; and climate change is caused by many things.

By: CHCH 194 2022-11-20 16:07:56
3 
The history basis was interesting and relevant but the structure didn't give the storyline natural flow. The future impacts expected from climate change were a logical discussion stimulus.

By: TIMAR 019 2022-10-26 12:59:46
4 
Interesting and relevant subject - eruption. Ditto the characters from history although sometimes confusing movement between them.

By: CHCH 058 2022-05-05 16:23:27
2 
This book was acknowledged by all in our group to be very well-written and extremely interesting. However, almost all of us felt it was badly structured - to the point of being maddening for some. It was thought the material would work better as a series of short stories.

 
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