During my junior year in high school, we were required to read Sarah Orne Jewett‘s, The Country of the Pointed Firs. I remember that it was a “quiet” book, but I don’t remember much else about that reading of it. It must have struck a chord within me, though, because when I was putting together my list of 50 classics to read in 5 years for The Classics Club, I put it on my list. I’m so glad I did!
I bought both the book version and the audiobook so I could both read and listen at the same time. At first, the audiobook almost put me to sleep and I thought I wouldn’t be able to listen to that particular narrator. I was wrong. I’m so glad I listened to it because it was such an authentic reading of the book, Maine accent and all!
The Country of the Pointed Firs, written in 1896, is a series of stories, vignettes, of a small town on the coast of Maine. There isn’t much of a plot, but the vignettes are all interconnected stories of the inhabitants of the village. Through those interconnected lives, you get a real feeling for the tough gentleness of the villagers, the strength they share, and the struggles they faced with that climate and way of making a living from a rugged ocean. With her beautiful and honest language, Jewett captured a time gone past and created a deep sense of place.
I found the book very nostalgic, quite profound in its simplicity and direct storytelling. I was most moved by the story of the brokenhearted Joanna, abandoned by the man she loved, who withdrew from the life around her and lived alone for the rest of her life on a small island off the coast. The island became her hermitage, and the townspeople watched over her from afar, respecting her decision to withdraw but helping her out in whatever little ways she would accept.
My high school self appreciated the beauty of Jewett’s writing, but my seventy-year-old self deeply appreciates so much more. It is a book that you must read slowly, you cannot be in the hurry of modern life. You must read each word, because the dialect is just as important as the story itself. And you must take the time to let the sense of place and the timeless LIFE within this book soak in.
I chose to read this book as one of my 50-books-in-5-years for The Classics Club.
I chose this book to read for my personal challenge, “WANDERLUST: Reading the States,” an effort to read books that are from or take place in each of the 50 United States. This book took place in Maine.
A Fondness For Reading 
This sounds so familiar but I don’t think I’ve read it. I have a friend who travels to Main frequently and think she’d probably really enjoy this book so I’m going to have to get that for her! How wonderful that you reconnected with this book.
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Thanks, Iliana! Do you think you might have read it in high school? It was part of our curriculum so perhaps it was one of those required books for you, too? If your friend goes to Maine frequently, I’m sure she’d love it!
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I love, I love, I love this book. I’m not sure how many times I’ve read it. I keep meaning to go visit her house.
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Nan, I would love to visit her house! If you go there sometime, please post photos!
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After reading this book several times and reading S O Jewett’s other writings she has become my favorite author. We just click!
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Diana, she’s a wonderful writer, isn’t she!
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I’ve not ever been to Maine, but I keep thinking we need to make time for a trip there. The picture above is quite beautiful with the rocks and the trees. Reminds me of Oregon – ha!
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Kay, I’ve never been there, either, but I would like to go there. I’d love to see New England with all its Fall colors!
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So, Kay and Robin, if you come, we are only about three hours away from Maine. People here go there all the time.
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If we come sometime, it would be to meet you …and then check out that country of the pointed firs!😊
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I read this 7 years ago, and it feels much more recent, as my good memories of the book shine on. Such a lovely book! I can’t imagine reading it in high school though – eighteen year old me would have been bored I think.
I was pleased with my review, and reading my review reminds me of the book.https://raidergirl3-anadventureinreading.blogspot.com/2011/11/bool-country-of-pointed-firs-by-sarah.html
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Raidergirl3, thanks for your comment and the link to your very nice review. What a beautiful book! I’m so glad I reread it after all these years…when I could really appreciate it!
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I just read your review, but didn’t see a way to comment, so I came back to say that I so love the book.
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