That Certain Summer (Book Review: The Summer Invitation)

Charlotte Silver's "The Summer Invitation" is an introspective coming of age novel. It tells the story of Franny and her older sister Valentine who travel and live in New York City for the summer upon an invitation from their mother's best friend. They stay at an apartment in Greenwich Village. In a course of a season, they become different people. I loved this book. It's a Valentine to New York City, and for those people who have fallen in love with New York City, you will feel a sentimental pang. But I think even if you have fallen for another city, you will still feel the emotion of falling hard for something so bad it changes you. The story is told from the point of view of fourteen year old Franny, and is marketed as a YA novel. I think that it is more a story for adults, though. It's very wistful, and quite poignant, and would appeal more to people who have already lived lives.