Q&A with Nancy Thayer

 

Photo by Kit Noble

 

Nancy Thayer is the author of the new novel Summer Light on Nantucket. Her many other books include The Summer We Started Over. She lives on Nantucket.

 

Q: What inspired you to write Summer Light on Nantucket, and how did you create your character Blythe?

 

A: For over 40 years, I’ve watched my children, their friends, my friends’ children, and now so many grandchildren, arrive on Nantucket for the summer. They play in the sun all day and watch the flash of three lighthouses at night. Happiness is in the air. In the light. I wanted to capture that joy, that glow.

 

I’ve also watched many couples marry and divorce and remain friendly with, or at least civil to, their exes, especially when children are involved.

 

I married young, and was so glad to be divorced, and later I met Charley, and we’ve been married for 41 years. I wanted to portray a woman who is happily divorced and is glad her children have their father’s love. Blythe truly likes her husband’s new girlfriend and loves her ex-mother-in-law.

 

The name Blythe just dropped from the sky and I knew it was perfect, partly because “blythe” means “happy, cheerful.” I wanted my main character to be an optimistic person, a mother, a teacher, and a friend---fully immersed in life.

 

Q: Can you say more about the relationship between Blythe and her ex-husband, Bob?

 

A: Blythe and Bob are friendly and cooperative, especially when dealing with their four children and Bob’s mother. They’re both reasonable. They wish each other well, probably because they were never desperately, achingly, passionately in love with each other.

 

I know many people like this, people who believe they married the wrong person to have the right children. Long ago, I was one of them.

Q: What do you think the novel says about family dynamics?

 

A: I hope the novel says that if you have a family, you won’t have a calm, orderly life, and that’s not only just fine, it’s often wonderful. Of course, it’s often troublesome, even heartbreaking, but it’s worth it. Children can hate each other in the morning and be best friends by afternoon.

 

Also, if you’re living in a family of any kind, don’t be surprised if you’re constantly interrupted. That can be annoying, or it can be a gift from the universe.

 

Q: What do you hope readers take away from the story?

 

A: First of all, most of all, I hope the readers enjoy this book. I hope it makes readers laugh and nod their heads in recognition. I hope they close the book knowing that there are all kinds of family bonds and all kinds of love.

 

Q: What are you working on now?

 

A: I’m writing a holiday novel titled Nantucket Christmas Stroll which will come out in September 2026. It takes place over one weekend when the Parson parents and their three grown children come together to throw their annual Stroll party. There will be champagne punch and revelations and arguments and kisses under the mistletoe. Everyone will have a surprise—and fun.

 

Q: Anything else we should know?

 

A: I love “meeting” my readers via zoom. I’m going to post a message on Facebook about holding a zoom with readers on Saturday, May 10. If you’re interested, let me know by commenting Yes! I’ll be posting details later.

 

--Interview with Deborah Kalb. Here's a previous Q&A with Nancy Thayer.