Review of Midsummer Dreams

Justine Ocsebio · Post by **Justine Ocsebio** » 13 Sep 2023, 11:09

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Midsummer Dreams" by Ian Riddle.]

4 out of 5 stars

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In a Cornish village called Treddoch Harbour, the inhabitants look forward to midsummer, that time of the year when daytime runs longer than usual. More than ever, it is the best time to dream, for this is the season when dreams are fulfilled. There are those who dream of a foreign holiday in an exotic, tropical place. Some dream of owning a new fishing boat, a brand-new car, or an endless set of clothes. Some dream of a better life—far better than they currently own. As the summer solstice graces this humble village, will these inhabitants realize the dreams they long for?

Ian Riddle's Midsummer Dreams takes one to a montage of stories of different individuals, each dreaming of love or a better life. What binds them all together is the most important time of all: the midsummer season. This book stands out for its exquisitely lyrical writing. The poignant chronicling of the characters' circumstances invites one to feel their sentiments and relate to their troubles. The entire narrative feels tranquil as it shows the monotonous, almost mundane everyday lives of the villagers. It is the kind of book best indulged in when you feel like time needs to slow down for a moment. However, these aspects didn't lend themselves to a book worthy of a 5-star rating. One thing that puts me off is the abundance of characters in this book. There are way too many characters; it is impossible to keep track of all of them, and even the designated main characters are difficult to recognize. It was as if the author wrote the story like it was a movie in his head, with several scenes that cut to one after the other with immediate transitions. As a result, I struggled to care about these characters and, more so, their lives.

I'm giving this book 4 out of 5 stars for the lyrical writing and the professional editing, as there are only a few errors. I decided that a star must be taken away due to the abovementioned issue. Still, I recommend the book to fans of novels with descriptive writing who might be willing to overlook it.

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Midsummer Dreams
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Post by **Laney K** » 15 Sep 2023, 05:49

This seems like an interesting concept, though the number of characters might be a little too confusing for me.

Amy Luman · Post by **Amy Luman** » 15 Sep 2023, 08:46

I might have a little bit of trouble with the number of characters, too. The dreams of others don’t really interest me especially when they are so unrealistic. Thanks for the review!