Maine Books

I've never been one to enjoy reading historical writings very much, but I loved this book. Ruth searched and found many great writings, along with photos to go with them, that tell the stories of early settlers, the "cottagers" and the year round residents of Bar Harbor. Bar Harbor/Acadia is my favorite spot in New England and we will return their again this summer. I will have a better appreciation of the life these people lived in the late 1800s and will better appreciate how fortunate we are to have Acadia as protected natural lands.

Written by a political organizer, strike strategies, and health and safety educator, Divided We Fall: The Story Of The Paperworkers' Union And The Future Of Labor is fascinating and lesson-filled true story of the struggle of the Paperworkers' Union to improve the living and working conditions of its members. Especially focusing upon the 1987 strike in which over 1,150 union members participated, and which was ultimately lost, Divided We Fall tells of the need for a social movement to bring together working classes, the uphill battle for justice in the workplace, human foibles and follies, the notion of collective rights, and much more. A passionate yet expertly researched account of unionized human efforts and the lessons that can be learned from them.

My grandmother (Abbie Seiders) and her large, extended family grew up in South Bristol and my dad spent a lot of time there as a kid. I was delighted to find this book and and was equally delighted by its contents. So many names and places I recognized, but it was nice simply to hear about life in the old days from others' memories of it. Apart from those whose families actually came from South Bristol, this book would also appeal to anyone interested in personal recollections of times past, most particularly in rural coastal towns prior to gentrification, the demise of fishing and sea-faring as a way of life, and the astronomical increase in property prices. In these small towns, everyone knew each other, helped each other out, depended on each other and the community and had many shared experiences, things which are largely lost today. This book is a delightful insight into the past.

If your NOT from Maine you may not get some of John's great down east humor ...But I think this book should be @ all the Maine rest stops & travel bureau offices.

Great book in condition as described. Extremely fast service, received next day! Thanks!

This third book of the Tide trilogy does not disappoint, as Joanna Bennett faces life on the island without Nils, during WWII. The reader is drawn sympathetically into the loneliness as well as the island's daily dramas. Joanna is a complex character, learning new things about herself all the time, and the reader is never sure if she will maintain faithfulness to the wonderful but long-suffering Nils. A rather different view of the war than is usually given in novels,the island characters prove that no one is safe or immune from the horrors of war, and yet love for the simple island life is heightened because of it. A satisfying read.

A very accurate, interesting and graphic example of the oldest Town in Maine (along with Kittery). Settled in 1623.
The book truly shows how it all began in New england.

Envious Shadows is a deftly crafted, engrossing contemporary novel, one of those works which is not afraid to face the grim realities of life and the cruelties of society.

The story revolves around four main characters, all in some way alienated and simply trying to make the best of their lives in a world that ultimately is uncooperative and oppressive.

Fiona Sparrow is a shy young black woman who works at a house for schizophrenics and manic-depressives in Portland, Maine. Though well-educated, she is deeply insecure, a result of being the only black person in Waska, where she grew up. Adding to her identity conflict is the fact that she is the daughter of a white woman and a black man. The house where she works may very well serve as a metaphor for her life, for as a minor character states early in the novel, "To be black in America is to be schizophrenic." (p. 14)

Lowell Edgecomb has come back to Portland after been away many years. The son of a hippy mother and a father who deserted him early in life, he is also in many ways alienated and plagued by feelings of inferiority, shame, indifference and passivity. After having come into money in a most unexpected way, he now plans to build a cottage close to his mother's house. In a softball game, he meets Fiona. The rapport between them is instant. Most of their friends don't mind their "mixed" relationship, but other people in their community strongly do. It is with these people-Nazis and KKKs-that Lowell and Fiona have to deal with.

Bill Paine is Lowell's half brother. In spite of this, they are very close and trust and support one another. He has a solid, stable job, yet, like his brother, he is afflicted with feelings of inferiority due to his upbringing. He too has been deserted by his father. He has the "perfect" marriage and his wife Becky is the "perfect" mother to his two beautiful young sons. Yet Bill feels lonely, ignored, unloved, and ultimately vulnerable to another woman's charms.

Marilyn, described as a "female Don Juan," is Fiona's white cousin. This is one of the loneliest, saddest, most hopeless characters in this book. Her tragedy lies in being unaware of her own selfish and destructive behaviour. A temptress at heart with no consideration for anybody but herself, she "steals" Bill from his wife and children, an event which eventually has disastrous consequences for Bill.
Another character who though minor is worth mentioning because of his influence all throughout the novel as well as his impact in the end, is Rett Murrey. A Nazi with dreams of greatness, he exemplifies all the ignorance, pathos, cruelty and injustice of society. His ugly essence permeates the whole novel like a poison cloud, even when he's not present in a scene.

The characterization in this novel really stands out. Bill Paine is the best portrayal of an unfaithful husband as I have ever seen in a novel. With the candor and sharpness of a razor, the characters' voices come to life, exuding all their insecurities and feelings of powerlessness. The other aspect of the novel which stands out is the insightful, elegant prose of its author. In spite of the book's small print and long, slow paragraphs, most of the time words flow beautifully and effortlessly, keeping a tight grip on the reader's suspension of disbelief. "Dinner over, they had walked down to Deering Oaks to spend together the remaining hour before she had to return to work," the author writes. "Their hands sought each other, the warmth of their palms like a transformer connecting two circuits. The sun was low in the west and the clouds glorious Japanese lanterns of purples, pinks and oranges as they strolled past the duck pond. The beauty of love is that it made you love not just an individual but the whole world, life itself. `I love the evening, the quiet of it, the peacefulness,' he had said, and she had answered in a hushed tone, `Isn't it lovely?' They had stopped and looked into each other's eyes. He had squeezed her hand. They both could feel love hovering between them like a beautiful butterfly, but first Fiona wanted to make sure no impediment, no misunderstanding, clouded that feeling. Haltingly she said, `Lowell, you know that I am a black woman. That's how I see myself, I mean. It's my identity.'"

Though this is his debut novel, author R.P. Burnham is editor of the well-established The Long Story literary magazine, and has published a book of essays. He also has a forthcoming book dealing with similar themes of alienation and the nature of evil in society explored in this book.

Controversial issues of prejudice, racism, and the conflict between men's and women's roles are the landmarks of this novel. A beautiful work which depicts life in all its grim realities, Envious Shadows is a rewarding read and one I strongly recommend for group discussions.

Music Composer Schumann struggled through life with a genius' skill, and as many other composers, pursued his passions with an intense determination.

In Erotic Etude you feel the passion of the composer through his music and life memoirs. You praise his will and sorrow at his struggles to remain sane.

The author has brought a long ago era back to life as she re-constructed Schumann's life and trials from letters left behind.

I highly recommend this book.

Sondi Miller
Author of How Do You Sign and E-Book
and the Monster Classics:
Mother Ghoul's Curses and Rhymes
The Three Little Trolls
The Night Before Halloween

This book of magnificent photos captures the beauty and diversity of the Maine Coast. You don't have to have lived in Maine or even visited it to make this an often-used book. Need a break from the daily grind? Leaf through this book and let the peacefulness of its nature photos restore you!