Body Surfing: A Novel - Couverture souple

At the age of 29, Sydney has already been once divorced and once widowed. Trying to regain her footing, she has answered an ad to tutor the teenage daughter of a well-to-do couple as they spend a sultry summer in their oceanfront New Hampshire cottage. But when the Edwards's two grown sons, Ben and Jeff, arrive at the beach house, Sydney finds herself caught up in a destructive web of old tensions and bitter divisions. As the brothers vie for her affections, the fragile existence Sydney has rebuilt is threatened. With the subtle wit, lyrical language, and brilliant insight into the human heart that has led her to be called "an author at one with her metier" ( Miami Herald), Shreve weaves a novel about marriage, family, and the supreme courage it takes to love.

Shreve's fascinated by what binds us together and flings us apart... This is undoubtedly one of Shreve's finest works yet. --Glamour

The story drew me along so easily... This is the first Anita Shreve book I've read - and I'll definitely come back for more. --Woman's Own

Emotional upheavals, shifts of loyalty and painful revelations about the past... the Shreve hallmarks are all over this warm, satisfying novel. --The Times