Review: Summer in Gettysburg by Evelyn Landane

A brother and sister duo find themselves at the heart of their family’s oldest mystery in Summer in Gettysburg, a paranormal, time-jumping whirlwind by Evelyn Landane.

More than a century earlier, Summer Walker is trying to find some sense of peace in the bubbling cauldron of the Civil War, while also navigating the blushing waters of youthful romance. This richly written novel is set in two primary timelines, but the narrative arcs are tied closely by blood and family and an ancient house that holds many secrets, and more than a few ghosts.

The present-day plot feels like a fun sibling mystery, aided by some secondary sidekicks, while the historical chapters are rich with historical information, exposition, self-reflection and the slowly building tension only war can bring. As the generation-spanning link between these young people comes into focus, the book takes on even more meaning, forcing readers to face much larger questions of death and justice than one might expect. Buoyed by friendship and faith, this is ultimately a heartwarming story with complex female characters at its core, and a beguiling plot.

The novel takes a pastoral pace, measured and patient, slowly unraveling mysteries and old connections, revealing its paranormal corners and slipping in subtle clues that readers will delight in noticing. The otherworldly elements of the story – the idea of a soul lingering, frozen in time – gives the entire tale a timeless, ethereal quality, but there is also an immediacy and vulnerability to the prose, along with visceral emotions on the page.

Romance can be difficult to express authentically, and some of the more intimate exchanges do feel generic, but there are also some brilliant spots of innocence, self-doubt, and genuine compassion. More than anything, this genre-defying novel touches beautifully on timeless issues of trust, family, loyalty, and loss. The time periods also give ample room for passages and conversations about race, America’s dark moral history, and the stubborn ignorance of some citizens that remains in place to this day. The points of relativity between past and present serve as a good thematic reminder that some things – both beautiful and brutal – are slow to change.

The writing makes its points with subtlety, though some of the language and descriptions are overly simple. Certain moments are captured beautifully in the carefully chosen wording, while others don’t land with as much wisdom or care. Occasionally, the explicit narration feels unnecessary, making it difficult to tell which details matter, and which are merely decoration. However, the flexibility of the author’s tone, flipping between two settings over a century apart, is a remarkable feat, and some of the best writing in the story happens through the perspective of Summer Walker, particularly in her journal entry chapters. The prose is also carefully edited, with few errors to speak of, and very few wasted words.

Overall, the world-building and immersive exposition makes this an ideal escape for historical fiction lovers. Landane has a delicate touch with her pen, but a firm grasp on the complexity of human relations, as well as our better angels.