The Cliffs by J. Courtney Sullivan
Alice Elliott Dark reviewed this historical novel about an “old house” built by a ship’s captain on the coast of Maine. Now I will look for it ASAP.
The main character first saw this purple house from the water. How often we cruise the lakeshore and wonder about certain camps we see from the water and renovations and changes, like purple paint or whatever the new look is. So very many mentions in Dark’s review in the New York Times Sunday Book Review conjure up Maine memories and experiences and love of the seaside.
“Christina’s World,” an iconic painting by Andrew Wyeth, is told in one of my favorite novels, A Piece of the World by Christina Baker Kline. The ship captain’s mansion is way up on the hill like this new novel depicts. Visitors can tour Christina Olson’s old house today and find her family cemetery down the hill near water’s edge. Both artist Andrew Wyeth and his wife Betsy are buried along side Christina, life long friends.
Abenaki peoples are covered with coastal histories in this new novel. The Belgrades are in Abenaki country too, not far from the coast. During COVID, I stopped by the Village Green at a Sunday craft fair and met our local Abenaki author and her husband. Her book revealed a new world to me.
Shaker community history is also part of this novel reviewed in Sunday’s New York Times. That very active place is just down the interstate, not far. Gift shop and tours during the week and 10 a.m. worship where all are welcome. I have enjoyed Brother Arnold and Sister Frances, deceased, and Sister June, who reads everything, for many Sundays during summers for over 40 years. Our son and his girlfriend attended with me one summer from Little Sebago.
Brother Arnold always asks me about Matthew because three students from St. Alban’s School in Washington, DC interned one summer with the Shakers, learning skills and farming.
Renee Cunningham let me know she will provide most of my book desires at her Oliver and Friends in Waterville. Another reason to look for books about the beautiful Belgrade area and visit with authors Renee recommends.
She had a wonderful author presentation last summer right at her convenient previous location on Main Street in Belgrade Lakes Village. Were you there? I was and so was Scott Cunningham and every seat was occupied with eager questioners.
Keep finding places to go and reading perhaps about these places before you make your trip. This new novel holds treasures within. I can’t wait to read it.
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