Morning is a Long Time Coming

by Bette Greene

Book Overview

The sequel to Bette Greene's National Book Award finalist "Summer of My German Soldier." Patty is now eighteen, and a high school graduate--but she cannot face her future until she comes to terms with her past. She decides to go to Germany in search of Anton's mother, desperate for a connection to the man she loved and lost. En route, she stops in Paris, where she meets Roger. And now she must think twice about her plan--not only because of what she...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0141306351
• ISBN13: 9780141306353
• Release Date: September 1999
• Publisher: Puffin Books
• Length: 272 Pages
• Weight: 0.45 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 4.6" x 7.2"
• Age Range: 12 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 7 and higher

Customer Reviews

Worth the time

This is the sequel to Summer of My German Soldier. I remembered reading Summer of My German Soldier in elementary, and when I found out recently there was a second book, I of course had to read it. This book does not belong in an elementary, but it's really good. You can't help but feel bad for the main character when dealing with her home life.

Summer of my German soldier is a teen favorite.

My mom read this first and wanted me to read it next. I have never known that there was a part two! I cannot wait to read it! And pass along to my mom after I read it first lol

MORNING IS A LONG TIME COMING

I really liked this book, and I found it intresting to see what happened to Patty after the events in "Summer of my German Solider". It was exactly the opposite of what I had thought about when I read "Summer of my German Soldier". The characters were more grown up, and had to deal with different issues than in "Summer of my German Solider". If you liked "Summer of My German Soldier" you will like "Morning is a long time coming" also.

Good book if you love romance and self-journey

I know many people on here thought they'd read this book and it would be just as good if not better, than the prequel. Exepct that NOT to happen to anything. BUT I thought this book was very good. We see Patty moving on with her life, trying to the past where it belongs, and finally turn into a beautiful lady. She becomes more brave with her oppinions, more confidant...the time she spends in Paris is realistic, because she ran out of money, and she liked it there. So she did wot any other girl would've done. Stayed for the cute guy. Who hasn't? She finds out more about who she is as a person. She finds love with Roger, and it's very romantic. When she goes to germany, I feel she didn't speak to the father because she figured she didn't need to anymore. Why bring up the past with a stranger? She found her closure or didn't need it. I love this book for being realistic and true to human emotion and reactions. There's no huge drammatic make-up scene between her and Roger. Just natural. This is not a story about her finding closure of Anton's death, this is a story about Patty growing up and changing into the better person she needs to be. This is also not Patty's Autobiography where you read every single detail of her non-exsistant life. And if these things are all you see, then you've completly missed the point of the story.

Adult novel with an adult theme

This is a beautiful book--one I too picked up and tried to read at age 11 right after reading Summer of German Soldier. I didn't like it then. How could I? At age 11, change is not a favorite condition--which is all this novel is about. I decided to try it again at 21. The book is just wonderful for adults seeing Patty grow up and make decisions as an adult. An adult knows that sick feeling when they are about to disappoint their family but knows they have to to follow their own path. To address other issues: Michael Werner was abusive like her father--she had to learn to choose someone not abusive. There is the reference to sex--it is not out of place in a coming of age novel. And at 18, she is not particularly young to be portrayed as a young woman losing her virginity. If it helps the morality police--this is the guy who begs to marry her. There should be no more mention of Anton. He's dead--they were never in love or a couple. They were good friends. He opened her eyes to another continent and she went as soon as she got the chance. She chose to go to Paris first--Roger did not cause her to detour. She finally does go to Gottingen. Sure, she could have talked to Anton's dad--but why? When she realises his mother is dead, she also realises Anton is gone and the past is just that--past. She freaks out--and quite frankly Anton's poor dad had lost his wife and a son--why bring it up and cause him grief? The novel is a sweet story about a woman realizing she can tell others not to abuse her--the way a child cannot. She is learning to let go of the past the way a child cannot, and she is learning to live a new life--her own in the place she chose. This novel was about Patty--not about what happened 7 years earlier with her now dead friend. Patty goes from being a girl to a woman in this novel. This is a book that needs to be read by adults and certainly not just after reading Summer of My German Soldier in school.

a must have!!

I was so glad to finally find this book!! I've been looking for a copy for awhile. It is the sequal to a terrific book called Summer of My German Soldier (a must have, as well). It is so wonderful to get to find out what happened to the heroine of the first story. You could read this book on its own, but it might get a little confusing. I'd really suggest reading the first novel before proceeding. The books were written for a young teenage audience, but I think that older readers would enjoy it, too. I know that I did, and I'm in my 20's. Bette Greene is a wonderful writer, and this book reflects that. I suggest that everyone read this book!

We Must Understand the Past To Get On With The Future

I agree, in some ways, with other, somewhat less than enthusiastic reviews of this book. However, I think we are all comparing it to the prequel, Summer of My German Soldier. It cannot be compared, because then we are denying the power it holds on it's own. Anton is dead. That was difficult to accept when I first began reading this novel, I rarely believe bad news. And neither does Patty truly accept his death. She travels to Europe, to find answers that she must know are not there. She meets Roger, who cares about her now, and still she clings desperately to the idea of Anton. She tried to save him, and she forgets the real service she did, showing him kindness. In the end, the past must be released into memory, not forgotten, but not held to so tightly that the present is ignored. Patty changes, always a mature girl, she has now grown up.