But then, later in life, summer is the ominous reminder of previous Augusts, of opportunities lost or damage done.
What struck me immediately was a sense of the book's un-Englishness – but not in a way that grated against my Englishness: Kath's school life, summer camp and the dynamic with her parents was so American somehow.
Riordan has been admirably encouraging of real-world attempts to bring Camp Half Blood to life: summer camps inspired by his books have sprung up in various locations around the country, including one in Prospect Park that offers its demigod denizens many happy hours of sword fighting, shield-making, quest-following, and capturing the flag.
It was the same man who later wrote Lunatic And Lover, a play about Strindberg's love life, Summer In Gossensass, about Ibsen's late love, and Meeting In Rome, which starred Kenneth Haigh, an account of a fictional meeting between the two giants; and, in 1992, adapted Gissing's The Odd Women, which I directed for the Royal Exchange.
When you hear the words "clothing-optional resort", one of two things come to mind: A sun-soaked orgy that makes your Spring Break memories feel like a Young Life summer camp, or a pool surrounded by lumpy, weathered blobs that resemble the scrap room floor of a leather tannery.
Mom unpacked my bag last night, after school Zero hour, four pm But I wanted to fly my kite right then I miss my yard so much, I miss my life Summer was so great It was such a stress-less time.
