The Narrowboat Summer - by Anne Youngson (Paperback)

About the Book

"From the author of Meet Me at the Museum, a charming novel of second chances, about three women, one dog, and the narrowboat that brings them..."--

Book Synopsis

"Lovely...Another heartening story about the possibility of striking out in a new direction at any age. It is also a soothing read, especially welcome in these anxious times." --Christian Science Monitor

From the author of Meet Me at the Museum, a charming novel of second chances, about three women, one dog, and the narrowboat that brings them together

Eve expected Sally to come festooned with suitcases and overnight bags packed with everything she owned, but she was wrong. She arrived on foot, with a rucksack and a carrier bag. "I just walked away," she said, climbing on to the boat. Eve knew what she meant.

Meet Eve, who has left her thirty-year career to become a Free Spirit; Sally, who has waved goodbye to her indifferent husband and two grown-up children; and Anastasia, a defiantly independent narrowboat-dweller, who is suddenly landlocked and vulnerable.

Before they quite know what they've done, Sally and Eve agree to drive Anastasia's narrowboat on a journey through the canals of England, as she awaits a life-saving operation. As they glide gently - and not so gently - through the countryside, the eccentricities and challenges of narrowboat life draw them inexorably together, and a tender and unforgettable story unfolds. At summer's end, all three women must decide whether to return to the lives they left behind, or forge a new path forward.

Candid, hilarious, and uplifting, Anne Youngson's The Narrowboat Summer is a celebration of the power of friendship and new experiences to change one's life, at any age.

Review Quotes

Praise for The Narrowboat Summer

"Hopeful...The Narrowboat Summer is a gentle, meandering tale, intelligently told and with no easy conclusions...Beauty, calm, and inspiration, wrapped in a good story." --Minneapolis Star Tribune

"Gentle and charming. A chance to think about what really matters."--Reader's Digest

"Lovely...Another heartening story about the possibility of striking out in a new direction at any age. It is also a soothing read, especially welcome in these anxious times." --Christian Science Monitor

"Life-affirming and funny."--Good Housekeeping

"The Narrowboat Summer, by Anne Youngson, follows three women intent on reinvention. Charming and cozy, this novel is as warm as a hearth fire." --Campus Circle

"A gentle meander down England's waterways with bittersweet charm."--Daily Mail

"A tender story of friendship amidst the challenges and glory of canal-boat life."--Woman's Weekly

"Touching and accomplished...Often humorous, always affecting, this episodic, character-driven novel shimmers with perception and humanity." --Free Lance-Star

"Fans of Jane Smiley and Hannah Mary McKinnon will enjoy Youngson's immersive, lyrical account of the women's narrowboat summer, especially the colorful characters they meet along their journey." --Booklist

"Youngson, a heartfelt storyteller, takes readers on a charming excursion that provides a comforting, tender escape." --Shelf Awareness

Praise for Meet Me at the Museum

Short-listed for the Costa First Novel Award

Indie Next Pick, LibraryReads Selection, Goodreads Best of the Month

"The charmer of the summer...A touching, hopeful story about figuring out what matters and mustering the courage to make necessary changes." --NPR

"How subtle. How perceptive... Gently provoking, delving into how we interact with our children, our spouses, our communities, but mostly with ourselves." --Minneapolis Star Tribune

"Lovely." --Woman's Day (Editor's Choice)

"Beautifully written and deeply moving." --Shelf Awareness

About the Author

Anne Youngson is retired and lives in Oxfordshire. She has two children and three grandchildren to date. Her debut novel, Meet Me at the Museum, was shortlisted for the Costa First Novel Award.