Title: The Lobster Chronicles: Life on a Very Small Island
Author: Linda Greenlaw
First published January 1, 2002
238 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9780786885916 (ISBN10: 0786885912)
Rating: 3.62
Overview
Linda Greenlaw’s latest book, The Lobster Chronicles: Life on a Very Small Island, is a delightful exploration of Isle au Haut, a tiny Maine island with a population of just 70 year-round residents. Greenlaw, a former swordfisherman who gained fame in The Perfect Storm, offers readers a Clancy-esque talent for fascinating technical detail, weaving in the best way to cook and serve a lobster.
But this book isn’t just about cooking; Greenlaw delves into the island’s darker side, including a tragic boating accident and a century-old conflict with a neighboring community. With a Keillor-esque eye for the drama of small-town life, Greenlaw shares her take on everything from rediscovering home, love, and family to island characters.
Throughout, Greenlaw maintains her straight-shooting, funny, and slightly scrappy style that has won her so many fans, proving once again that fishermen are still the best storytellers around. The Lobster Chronicles is sure to delight anyone who enjoys a good tale of small town life and the sea.
About the Author
Linda Greenlaw is a successful author who has written three best-selling books about her life as a commercial fisherman. Her books, THE HUNGRY OCEAN, THE LOBSTER CHRONICLES, and ALL FISHERMEN ARE LIARS, have all been featured on the New York Times bestseller list.
In 2003, she was awarded the U.S. Maritime Literature Award, and in 2004, she won the New England Book Award for nonfiction. Her cookbook, RECIPES FROM A VERY SMALL ISLAND, co-authored with her mother, was also praised by Time Magazine.
Before becoming an author, Linda Greenlaw was a captain of a sword boat, and her experiences on the sea earned her a prominent role in Sebastian Junger’s book, THE PERFECT STORM, and the subsequent film. She has also appeared on several television shows such as Good Morning America, Today, CBS Sunday Morning, The Martha Stewart Show, and National Public Radio.
Currently, she resides on Isle au Haut, Maine, where she captains a lobster boat.
After expressing her interest in writing fiction, Linda Greenlaw finally fulfills her readers’ requests with her latest book, SLIPKNOT. It is a mystery novel featuring marine investigator Jane Bunker, and it is the first in a series.
Linda Greenlaw’s expertise in the sea is evident in her writing, and her ability to capture the essence of Maine village life is showcased in her previous work, THE LOBSTER CHRONICLES. SLIPKNOT has everything readers could want: a captivating setting, well-developed characters, a unique detective, and an engaging storyline that will keep readers on the edge of their seats.
Editoral Review
In her 2002 book, The Lobster Chronicles: Life on a Very Small Island, Linda Greenlaw offers a riveting portrait of living on a small island off the coast of Maine. Greenlaw, who gained notoriety as the fishing boat captain featured in Sebastian Junger’s book The Perfect Storm, brings her first-hand knowledge of the ocean and its inhabitants to bear in this beautifully written work.
Through a series of anecdotes that take place over the course of a year, Greenlaw takes readers on a journey through the daily struggles and joys of living on a small island. From the challenges of maintaining a lobster fishery to the trials of keeping a snowplow running in the harsh Maine winters, Greenlaw captures the essence of island life in vivid detail.
At the heart of the book are the island’s inhabitants, a diverse group of characters who all share a deep love for their home. There’s the dour, hard-working lobsterman who can’t resist a good prank, the free-spirited former hippie who runs the general store, and the aging island patriarch who holds the community together with his wisdom and grace.
As Greenlaw gets to know these people, she finds herself falling in love with the island and its unique way of life. One of the book’s strengths is its ability to capture the rhythms of island life without ever becoming dull or repetitive.
Greenlaw has a knack for finding the beauty and humor in even the most mundane tasks, from hauling lobster traps to shoveling snow. The book is also full of fascinating insights into the lobster fishery, from the biology of the animals to the economics of the industry.
Another strength of the book is Greenlaw’s writing style, which is elegant and understated. She lets the beauty of the island and the quirks of its inhabitants speak for themselves, creating a vivid portrait of a place that is both timeless and unique.
Her prose is also marked by a deep sense of compassion and empathy, which makes the book all the more powerful. There are a few minor flaws in the book, however.
At times, it can be difficult to keep track of all the different characters and their relationships to one another. Additionally, there are a few chapters that feel a bit tangential and don’t contribute much to the overall narrative.
Despite these minor flaws, The Lobster Chronicles is a must-read for anyone who loves stories about the sea, small towns, or quirky characters. It’s a beautifully written book that captures the essence of a unique way of life with grace and humor.
Overall, I would give The Lobster Chronicles a score of 4 out of 5 stars. While it has a few flaws, it’s a fascinating and engaging book that is well worth a read.
