Shapeless Summers

A Bronze Medal Winner at the 2022 Global Book Awards

The novel's middle-aged protagonist, William Greenwood, leaves his country of England behind and takes work in the South Pacific. Looking for a fresh start, he gives up his longtime career as a sea captain and becomes a data scientist and then a development program manager. Told in a first-person narrative, the book's story portrays his six years in this region, intertwined with brief home visits, as an expedition in contemporary Pacific Island countries and a journey of self-discovery. He finds a world in which to evolve himself, a world of new learning through various landscapes, characters, social backdrops, and working environments. Amid all, something William seemingly cannot sustain is a solid intimate attachment. He has a broken past marriage and little chance for viable relationships alongside his volatile jobs across several islands.

Shapeless Summers is a tale of love, loss, discovery, and redemption. It illuminates what it is to be a man through Greenwood's mishaps and struggles to overcome his own adversities in foreign places, and what it means to become a loving human being finding personal happiness.

Editorial Review

"The beautiful islands are a wonderful backdrop . . . the prose squeezes every last bit of excitement and wonder . . . Shapeless Summers is an odyssey of the soul, which asks meaningful questions about how we choose to grow as people throughout our lives and demonstrates that real change can also bring with it real fulfillment and happiness.
- K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite (5-star review)

"A rare gem, this book displays the picturesque descriptions of the Pacific Islands, its people . . . With Thompson's artistic proficiency, the author does a remarkable job highlighting the indomitable spirit of locality and solidarity . . . readers will find themselves rooting for the protagonist every step of the way. I particularly liked the infusion of woodcut illustrations, which are beautifully rendered and culturally evocative . . . It ends in a joyous conclusion that was most satisfying."

-Lily Amanda for Bestsellersworld.com and Get-Read.com

"An enjoyable South Pacific tale, both smart and unpretentious, about leaving home and starting over . . . Thompson's globe-trotting novel reads like a memoir . . . has a fine focus on the real-world pains and pleasures that make the story so convincing. The knowledge about different islands, governments, cultures, and aid programs is top-notch, but it is the tale of being over 40 and afraid that work will overwhelm the last clinging threads of a personal life that shines through . . . a relatable but sophisticated book . . . a surprise at the end . . . a moving one."
-Kirkus Reviews

"Loved it! . . . you feel like you are right beside William as he embarks on his journey . . . I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys contemporary fiction . . . A very intimate subject, and one I believe we all can connect with."
- Chris Allcorn for Reedsy Discovery

"I found William's character to be endearing, prone to missed opportunities in his personal life but seemingly not one to wallow despite the pain and loss. . . . vibrant settings, displayed for the reader in photographs throughout the book, this first-person narrative is a deeply personal and personable story filled with infectious optimism and hope."
-LoveReading

Shapeless Summers shapes into a good story. . . . Life on a beautiful island is never dull, and William finds that out in the sweet new novel by Hayden Thompson - read with your world atlas nearby and dream of the possibilities.
-Rebecca Lee, Goodreads & BookBub

There is much to be admired in the overarching idea of Shapeless Summers . . . a contemplative examination of one man's career and his life choices.
-The BookLife Prize