Elin Hilderbrand's Summer of '69 captivates with its richly detailed setting and nostalgic charm, effectively weaving historical events with the personal struggles of a family. Readers appreciate the engaging, multifaceted characters, though some felt the pacing lagged in parts. Overall, it's a compelling summer read that balances historical context with family drama.

Readers who enjoy Elin Hilderbrand's Summer of '69 typically appreciate emotionally rich, character-driven family sagas set against vivid historical backdrops. Fans of The Summer Wives by Beatriz Williams and The Island by Victoria Hislop will find a similar blend of nostalgia, drama, and evocative settings.

In Summer of '69 by Elin Hilderbrand, the Foley-Levin family, particularly Kate Levin and her daughters Blair, Kirby, and Jessie, navigate personal challenges and evolving social landscapes during the spring and summer of 1969, as historical events like the Vietnam War and the moon landing unfold. The narrative highlights their journey of confronting the past and embracing an uncertain future on Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard. The novel contains scenes depicting domestic violence, physical fights, abortion, drowning, alcohol misuse, and discussions of racial and ethnic prejudice.

Nostalgic / Bittersweet / Emotional / Contemplative / Inspirational

- Summer of '69 is Elin Hilderbrand's first novel to be set in the 1960s, exploring the rich cultural and historical context of that transformative decade.
- The novel incorporates real historical events from the summer of 1969, such as the moon landing and the Chappaquiddick incident, adding authentic period details to the backdrop.
- Elin Hilderbrand, known for her Nantucket-based novels, draws on personal inspirations from her own summer experiences on the island during the 1960s.

**Kate Levin**  
Born to Exalta and Pennington Nichols, Kate is a mother of three who navigates challenging marriages and personal struggles with secrecy and alcohol.

**Blair Foley Whalen**  
The eldest child of Kate and Wilder Foley, Blair is a Wellesley graduate who strives to balance her aspirations of a career and family life amid tumultuous relationships.

**Kirby Foley**  
A politically active junior at Simmons College and daughter of Kate, Kirby is involved in social activism and personal growth while finding her voice.

**Richard “Tiger” Foley**  
Kate's only son, Tiger is a former high school athlete serving in the Vietnam War, who maintains close ties with his family through letters.

**Jessica “Jessie” Levin**  
The youngest daughter of Kate, Jessie deals with early adolescence and the complexities of family dynamics during her summer vacation.

**David Levin**  
Kate's second husband, David is a supportive lawyer who navigates marital challenges while parenting Kate's children and their own daughter.

**Exalta Nichols**  
The traditional and status-conscious mother of Kate, who grapples with societal norms and personal relationships at her summer home on Nantucket.

**The Crimminses**  
Bill Crimmins is the longtime caretaker of the Nichols family home, while his daughter Lorraine has a complicated history with Kate and the Nichols family.

**Pickford “Pick” Crimmins**  
A 15-year-old with unknown paternity to the Foley-Levin family, Pick forms connections on Nantucket while dealing with his own family issues.

**Angus and Joey Whalen**  
The brothers are both romantically linked to Blair, with Angus being her husband and Joey her former boyfriend.

**Patty O’Callahan and Luke Winslow**  
Patty is Kirby's housemate in a boardinghouse, involved in a turbulent relationship with the wealthy and volatile Luke.

Elin Hilderbrand

Adult

Novel

Fiction

Guide

Study Guide

Before You Read

Explore Summer of '69 reviews, reading age recommendations, and essential genre and thematic details before you start reading.

Before You Read Summer of '69 | SuperSummary

title

content

Overview

Get ready to explore Summer of '69 and its meaning. Our full analysis and study guide provides an even deeper dive with character analysis and quotes explained to help you discover the complexity and beauty of this book.

Summer of '69 Summary and Study Guide

Background

Summer of '69 Background

chapter

chapterType

section

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Part 1: “June 1969”

Prologue-Part 1, Chapter 3

Summer of '69 Prologue-Part 1, Chapter 3 Summary & Analysis

Part 1, Chapters 4-6

Summer of '69 Part 1, Chapters 4-6 Summary & Analysis

Part 1, Chapters 7-11

Summer of '69 Part 1, Chapters 7-11 Summary & Analysis

Part 1, Chapters 12-16

Summer of '69 Part 1, Chapters 12-16 Summary & Analysis

Part 2: “July 1969”

Part 2, Chapters 17-20

Summer of '69 Part 2, Chapters 17-20 Summary & Analysis

Part 2, Chapters 21-24

Summer of '69 Part 2, Chapters 21-24 Summary & Analysis

Part 2, Chapters 25-28

Summer of '69 Part 2, Chapters 25-28 Summary & Analysis

Part 2, Chapters 29-32

Summer of '69 Part 2, Chapters 29-32 Summary & Analysis

Part 3: “November 1969”

Part 3, Chapters 33-34

Summer of '69 Part 3, Chapters 33-34 Summary & Analysis

character

Character Analysis

Summer of '69 Character Analysis

theme

Themes

Summer of '69 Themes

Symbols & Motifs

Summer of '69 Symbols & Motifs

quote

citation

Important Quotes

Summer of '69 Important Quotes

primaryCharacter

Essay Topics

Summer of '69 Essay Topics

Summer of '69

Before You Read

Super Short Summary

Reviews & Readership

Review Roundup

Who Should Read Summer of '69?

Reading Age

Book Details