The Big House: An American Summer Home Century

In his memoir, George Howe Colt reflects on his final visit to the century-old family summer house on Cape Cod, where he had spent forty-two summers. This poignant tribute to the eleven-bedroom house, with its jumble of gables, bays, and dormers, serves as a cherished reminder of summer's ephemeral pleasures and a powerful symbol of a vanishing way of life.

Recounting his return with his wife and children, Colt weaves together memories of a lifetime of summers spent in the run-down yet romantic Big House. This stunning memoir, which was a National Book Award Finalist and a New York Times Notable Book of the Year, captures the house's role as a witness to weddings, divorces, deaths, anniversaries, birthdays, breakdowns, and love affairs for five generations.

The Big House stands as a testament to the passage of time, and Colt's final visit becomes a bittersweet experience, as he reflects on the generations of memories it holds within its walls.

With lyrical prose and deep emotional resonance, Colt's memoir offers a captivating exploration of the fleeting nature of summer and the enduring legacy of a cherished family home. Throughout the pages of this book, readers are invited to join Colt on a journey of remembrance and reflection, as he bids farewell to a place that has played such a significant role in his life and the lives of his loved ones.

As the sale of the Big House looms, Colt's memoir serves as a beautiful homage to the memories, traditions, and connections that have been forged within its walls. It is a testament to the enduring power of place and the profound impact that a family home can have on the lives of those who have been fortunate enough to call it their own.

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