Summer Island: A Novel

The Wind Lass, Dean and Eric’s childhood sailboat, highlights The Healing Power of Forgiveness. The Wind Lass had always represented an imaginary future for Eric and Dean, one where “they’d both imagined growing old on this boat, bringing wives and children and grandchildren aboard” (153). However, neither Eric nor Dean are married, and Eric will never live to see old age. Despite not being able to fulfill their childhood dream, Dean sees the Wind Lass as the vehicle to repair their brotherly relationship: “He’d take this forgotten, once-loved boat and return it to its past glory. If he could get Eric out here for an afternoon—just that, a single afternoon—maybe the wind and the sea could take them back in time” (153).

Ultimately, the sailboat is unable to transport the characters, instead ushering them into the future. Dean and Eric are able to reconcile before Eric’s death. Following their excursion on the sailboat, Ruby is finally able to tell Dean she loves him. This leads to Dean proposing to her and the consummation of their relationship on the boat. Through seeking forgiveness from Eric and giving it to Ruby, Dean can finally live a fulfilled and happy life on the island.