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Gravesend Light: A Novel
Young anthropologist Joe Madden retreats to his family's summer home on Little Roanoke on North Carolina's Outer Banks to conduct an ethnographic study of the fishermen and their families, taking a job on a fishing boat as part of his study and embarking on a passionate love affair with a feminist doctor at odds with the locals on their views on motherhood and abortion. 30,000 first printing.
- GenresFiction
400 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2000
4 people are currently reading
151 people want to read
About the author
David Payne
6 books36 followersDavid Payne was born in North Carolina and attended the Phillips Exeter Academy and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He is the author of five novels-- Confessions of a Taoist on Wall Street, Early From the Dance, Ruin Creek, Gravesend Light, Back to Wando Passo--and a memoir, Barefoot to Avalon: A Brother's Story, forthcoming from Grove Atlantic in August 2015. Visit his author website at www.davidpaynebooks.com.
Linda Barrett Osborne, Washington Post Book World:
"[Payne] understands that place most families inhabit-somewhere between love and necessity, between truth and myth, between self and the expectations, the dreams and, ultimately, the separateness of others... Writing this fine evokes a past time, but also a state of boyhood that is timeless."
Linda Barrett Osborne, Washington Post Book World:
"[Payne] understands that place most families inhabit-somewhere between love and necessity, between truth and myth, between self and the expectations, the dreams and, ultimately, the separateness of others... Writing this fine evokes a past time, but also a state of boyhood that is timeless."
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
September 25, 2009
This is the first of David Payne's that I read.
He's awesome.
The book is engrossing.
I'm sure I will read more of David Payne in the future.
The story centers on the life of the people on an isolated coastal village called Little Roanoke. Payne does a good job describing life in the village, its culture, its idiosyncracies, the fierce way it holds on to its beliefs, its charm, its hypocrisy.
love this part:
"When he looked, that was what he saw: simplicity and character, old folkways, seafaring traditions dating back to Devonshire in Walter Raleigh's time; Joe saw the villagers' originality and ferocious independence, their unwavering certainty as to who they are. When I looked, I saw patriarchialism, religious dogma, bigotry toward blacks and women. Our difference as lovers and as human beings somehow boiled downto our different views about this town, ending where it had begun: with Cleopatra Ames."
He's awesome.
The book is engrossing.
I'm sure I will read more of David Payne in the future.
The story centers on the life of the people on an isolated coastal village called Little Roanoke. Payne does a good job describing life in the village, its culture, its idiosyncracies, the fierce way it holds on to its beliefs, its charm, its hypocrisy.
love this part:
"When he looked, that was what he saw: simplicity and character, old folkways, seafaring traditions dating back to Devonshire in Walter Raleigh's time; Joe saw the villagers' originality and ferocious independence, their unwavering certainty as to who they are. When I looked, I saw patriarchialism, religious dogma, bigotry toward blacks and women. Our difference as lovers and as human beings somehow boiled downto our different views about this town, ending where it had begun: with Cleopatra Ames."
February 27, 2018
I did enjoy this book. One, because I am a romantic at heart and liked the ending. It is a work that explores a great number of different issues. It wrestles with the conflict of tradition and progress; religion and doubt, family dynamics and sexual abuse. It has as a major component the great question of what it means to be human and how does a person honor her own life by making commitments. There were lots of parts about fishing on a boat that I have no clue what he said and whether it was valid or not. In fact I skimmed over much of the great chaos of the hurricane on the boat as I did not know what all they were doing or struggling with. I just knew the hurricane was tossing the craft about and creating great danger. There is a great tread of family chaos and the long term pain and destruction caused by people who stay together for the sake of the children.
September 30, 2007
Loved David Payne's first book, "Early From the Dance."
This book, not so much. I bought it as soon as I finished "Early" and was disappointed. So much so that I haven't bought his subsequent books.
This book, not so much. I bought it as soon as I finished "Early" and was disappointed. So much so that I haven't bought his subsequent books.
Read
June 10, 2019Did not complete.
January 8, 2021
i'm always between 3 or 4, unless it's a clear 5. Not surprising, same here. i didn't get really interested until about 1/3 through. I understood Joe seeing both sides of an issue as he was an anthropologist and he is there to study not change a culture, but not on his personal life. That was a little frail. As danger and death became more imminent he began to see his relationships more clearly. I liked going between the characters as they narrated their thoughts and stories. Sometimes i got a little bogged down in their personal inner thoughts. I also liked the way Payne handled social issues such as homosexuality and abortion. A curve ball thrown by Granny in the cafe as the group waited and i won't say why as it would be a spoiler and i won't say what her curve ball was. Thoughtful and provocative. The ending was very strong and bittersweet. I really could not tell how it was going to end which is unusual. so i'll bump my rating up to a 4.
May 28, 2024
Gorgeous story in a gorgeous setting with complex characters & incredible insights into life. Will definitely read more by this author. My only criticism is that sometimes the sentences are strangely written, in a rather 19th century way, that makes it a bit hard to understand. On the other hand the writing itself is quite often so gorgeous I found myself re-reading sentences, or even paragraphs, bc they were so stunning. All in all, excellent.
September 22, 2021
I almost put this one down when I got bogged down in boat and fisherman’s unfamiliar vocabulary early on. For someone really not acquainted with that world it was like reading a foreign language. But the characters drew me in so I powered through and appreciated the story and the author’s skillful descriptions by the end.
March 23, 2025
Set in a fishng village near Roanoke. A young man returns to work on his thesis. He signs on to a fishing boat and endures a savage storm at sea. He also falls in love withe feminist doctor and has a passionate affair only to find that her ideals are at odds with those of the conservative villageandr his own..
July 5, 2019
A lot happens in 400 pages. I think there are at least 7 story lines, including the 2 main ones.
Interesting, maybe a bit long in parts for my taste. I enjoyed the setting (Outer Banks NC) particularly.
Interesting, maybe a bit long in parts for my taste. I enjoyed the setting (Outer Banks NC) particularly.
October 5, 2019
A good read, Takes place mostly on Little Roanoke Island and covers life in fishing village from the vantage point of a "professor" who studies the folks life there and the eyes of the local Doctor, this story has trauma, love, family angst, politics ...
April 10, 2019
Loved this book. Beautiful story, beautifully written.
December 9, 2022
I quit. Too dirty, wordy and slow. The reason it gets two stars instead of one is because the author can write.
March 12, 2024
The writing is beautiful and I had to look up some words, which I love to do. The plot was a little plodding, but I did enjoy this book.
March 2, 2025
4.5/5.0
September 24, 2025
This review is as much an opinion piece as it is a reflection on the book itself. I’ve noticed a growing trend on Bookstagram where readers frequently mention DNF’ing (Did Not Finish) books. I’ve always struggled with this concept—and here’s why.
There are plenty of books that hook me from the first page. When that happens, I read every spare moment I can find, often binge-reading the last quarter because I simply can't wait another minute to know how it ends.
But on the other end of the spectrum, there are books—Gravesend Light is a perfect example—that I struggle to get into. I find myself setting them aside for days, sometimes picking up another book instead. There are many reasons this happens.
For Gravesend Light, part of my challenge was the narrative style. The story alternates between two main characters, and it took me time to settle into the rhythm of switching perspectives. That said, the author did a phenomenal job introducing the characters and offering meaningful insight into each point of view.
I’ll also admit I struggled with the intellectual weight of the writing. David Payne uses big, uncommon words—words I wasn’t familiar with. This slowed me down. I found myself needing to let certain phrases marinate in my brain or pause to look up definitions. Sometimes, I even berated myself for not knowing them, then promised I’d start expanding my vocabulary... soon.
Coming from western North Carolina, I grew up surrounded by Appalachian speech, accents, and vernacular. I use some of it myself. This book, however, is written with the hoi toide accent of the Outer Banks natives, which added another layer of challenge.
The novel also touches on sensitive topics, including abortion, religion, and homosexuality, which may be difficult for some readers.
And yes—I did finish the book. It took me nearly a month, often becoming what I call a “treadmill book.” A treadmill book is one I’m struggling to get through, so I take it with me while walking on the treadmill—killing two birds with one stone. It distracts me from the monotony of exercise while helping me stay focused and make progress with the book.
So why didn’t I DNF it? Here’s why:
I paid good money for this book at an indie bookstore during my recent trip to the Outer Banks.
The blurb on the cover genuinely spoke to me.
Even with my inexperience, I recognized it was a well written book.
I’ve learned from experience that the books that challenge me, the ones that take longer to finish, often become my most memorable—and meaningful—reads.
When I read through a book quickly, it usually means I love the story. But in 2 weeks or 2 months or 2 years I likely won't remember the details—the plot, the characters, the lessons. Gravesend Light was different. David Payne slowed me down. He allowed me the time to truly know his characters. I built a relationship with them. I was magically transported into his story. I became immersed. I was a shipmate, a doctor, an ethnographer. I felt things unfamiliar to me. I questioned my beliefs. I gained insight into a way of living completely different from my own.
And this isn’t the first time it’s happened. Not long ago, someone in my book club chose a historical fiction novel about a Jewish family during World War II. I wanted to DNF it so many times—it became a treadmill book, too. But I stuck with it. I finished. And in the end, I was changed. I thought I understood the suffering of Jewish people during that time, but I had never felt it so deeply.
The point of this post isn’t to tell anyone not to DNF. Life is short. There are more books than time, and no one should feel guilty for choosing what serves them best.
But... the next time you’re tempted to DNF, maybe pause. Ask yourself why. Consider giving the book a chance—on the treadmill, with a daily page goal, or alongside an easier read. You never know. That difficult book might just change your life in ways you never expected.
For more reviews, follow me on Instagram @whiskersofmysoul, Pinterest at whiskersofmysoul, and visit me at my blog at www.whiskersofmysoul.com.
There are plenty of books that hook me from the first page. When that happens, I read every spare moment I can find, often binge-reading the last quarter because I simply can't wait another minute to know how it ends.
But on the other end of the spectrum, there are books—Gravesend Light is a perfect example—that I struggle to get into. I find myself setting them aside for days, sometimes picking up another book instead. There are many reasons this happens.
For Gravesend Light, part of my challenge was the narrative style. The story alternates between two main characters, and it took me time to settle into the rhythm of switching perspectives. That said, the author did a phenomenal job introducing the characters and offering meaningful insight into each point of view.
I’ll also admit I struggled with the intellectual weight of the writing. David Payne uses big, uncommon words—words I wasn’t familiar with. This slowed me down. I found myself needing to let certain phrases marinate in my brain or pause to look up definitions. Sometimes, I even berated myself for not knowing them, then promised I’d start expanding my vocabulary... soon.
Coming from western North Carolina, I grew up surrounded by Appalachian speech, accents, and vernacular. I use some of it myself. This book, however, is written with the hoi toide accent of the Outer Banks natives, which added another layer of challenge.
The novel also touches on sensitive topics, including abortion, religion, and homosexuality, which may be difficult for some readers.
And yes—I did finish the book. It took me nearly a month, often becoming what I call a “treadmill book.” A treadmill book is one I’m struggling to get through, so I take it with me while walking on the treadmill—killing two birds with one stone. It distracts me from the monotony of exercise while helping me stay focused and make progress with the book.
So why didn’t I DNF it? Here’s why:
I paid good money for this book at an indie bookstore during my recent trip to the Outer Banks.
The blurb on the cover genuinely spoke to me.
Even with my inexperience, I recognized it was a well written book.
I’ve learned from experience that the books that challenge me, the ones that take longer to finish, often become my most memorable—and meaningful—reads.
When I read through a book quickly, it usually means I love the story. But in 2 weeks or 2 months or 2 years I likely won't remember the details—the plot, the characters, the lessons. Gravesend Light was different. David Payne slowed me down. He allowed me the time to truly know his characters. I built a relationship with them. I was magically transported into his story. I became immersed. I was a shipmate, a doctor, an ethnographer. I felt things unfamiliar to me. I questioned my beliefs. I gained insight into a way of living completely different from my own.
And this isn’t the first time it’s happened. Not long ago, someone in my book club chose a historical fiction novel about a Jewish family during World War II. I wanted to DNF it so many times—it became a treadmill book, too. But I stuck with it. I finished. And in the end, I was changed. I thought I understood the suffering of Jewish people during that time, but I had never felt it so deeply.
The point of this post isn’t to tell anyone not to DNF. Life is short. There are more books than time, and no one should feel guilty for choosing what serves them best.
But... the next time you’re tempted to DNF, maybe pause. Ask yourself why. Consider giving the book a chance—on the treadmill, with a daily page goal, or alongside an easier read. You never know. That difficult book might just change your life in ways you never expected.
For more reviews, follow me on Instagram @whiskersofmysoul, Pinterest at whiskersofmysoul, and visit me at my blog at www.whiskersofmysoul.com.
July 7, 2015
David Payne does a lot well in this book. His rich use of language, his insights into love and relationships, his action scenes, and his characterizations of most characters are superb. In addition, he expertly casts several ethical arguments—on abortion, religion, women's lives, tradition, and ethnography—in a way that makes a reader think deeply.
However, I take issue with some aspects of the book. First, I don't think the main character, Joe Madden, is well enough developed. For example, I need to see much stronger evidence of his fear of commitment; after all, he's only 28. Also, I believe that when a person's life is being threatened (in this case by drowning), he does not enjoy epiphanies about issues that have dogged him for decades—he goes into a much more visceral survival mode. (I have interviewed people who have almost died and have learned that the lessons and realizations come later, not during the event.) This overly mental approach in some scenes really diminished the pulse of the book.
Payne is a gifted writer. I would just like to see him reside a bit more in his gut than in his head sometimes.
However, I take issue with some aspects of the book. First, I don't think the main character, Joe Madden, is well enough developed. For example, I need to see much stronger evidence of his fear of commitment; after all, he's only 28. Also, I believe that when a person's life is being threatened (in this case by drowning), he does not enjoy epiphanies about issues that have dogged him for decades—he goes into a much more visceral survival mode. (I have interviewed people who have almost died and have learned that the lessons and realizations come later, not during the event.) This overly mental approach in some scenes really diminished the pulse of the book.
Payne is a gifted writer. I would just like to see him reside a bit more in his gut than in his head sometimes.
November 16, 2008
It's a bit like Nicholas Sparks, but with more substance. Oh, and too many similes. I almost did not get into the story far enough to finish the book because of the overuse of simile; very distracting and tedious! As to the substance....I thought it was a good treatment of homophobia. The issue was, I thought, treated in a way to keep the tension alive without throwing it into one's face; much like I think the issue exists in our present day society. Also a good treatment of a woman's right to chose, and the opposition she can (and did) receive from a very conservative family and community (read "church")base. Third, a good juxtaposition of, and conflict between, traditional ways and values vs. technological "advance" (and accompanying values). Finally, and one of my favourite treatments, families and their failings. I would have rated it higher if not for what I found to be a way of writing (i.e., the simile issue) that interrupted the flow. Kind of like throwing too many rocks into a free flowing stream.
August 30, 2017
I read this novel a few years ago but couldn’t resist posting a review because of the lasting impression it made on me.
There are several aspects of this novel that turned me into an instant David Payne fan. He has a lyrical, evocative prose style that is simply a delight to read. Much of Gravesend Light centers on its coastal village setting. His descriptions bring to life the characteristics and idiosyncrasies of this isolated community and those who make their living from the unforgiving sea.
Payne also has the ability to go deep into his characters and explore their psyche. If you like deep character studies, you’ll love this novel. If, on the other hand, you don’t care for that style you’ll probably want to steer clear of Gravesend Light.
In summary, Gravesend Light is a novel you can really sink your teeth into and enjoy for both the masterful prose style and the penetrating exploration of the characters.
There are several aspects of this novel that turned me into an instant David Payne fan. He has a lyrical, evocative prose style that is simply a delight to read. Much of Gravesend Light centers on its coastal village setting. His descriptions bring to life the characteristics and idiosyncrasies of this isolated community and those who make their living from the unforgiving sea.
Payne also has the ability to go deep into his characters and explore their psyche. If you like deep character studies, you’ll love this novel. If, on the other hand, you don’t care for that style you’ll probably want to steer clear of Gravesend Light.
In summary, Gravesend Light is a novel you can really sink your teeth into and enjoy for both the masterful prose style and the penetrating exploration of the characters.
September 15, 2014
Joe Madden is an anthropologist who returns to his family summer home, Little Roanoke, to study the people, who lead a rather isolated life. He takes a job on a fishing ship and writes when he can. He meets Day Shaughnessey, a doctor who has liberal views on birth control and these views appear to go against the views of the local people. They become involved
Joe's family has abundant problems and conflicts going back many years. Day meets the family and isn't positive about how to feel about them.
One of the best parts of the story is a gigantic storm at sea which is vividly described by Payne.
Joe's family has abundant problems and conflicts going back many years. Day meets the family and isn't positive about how to feel about them.
One of the best parts of the story is a gigantic storm at sea which is vividly described by Payne.
August 9, 2007
It takes brains and balls — in equal measure — to use prison rape as a metaphore for christianity. On that basis alone this book is worth your time.
It's a bit indulgent in places, but contains some of my favorite paragraphs. Payne is remarkably perceptive in examining our convictions and surrenders, not to mention the preciously thin filament that connects one person to another.
Easily the most substantial and redemptive "beach read" I know of.
It's a bit indulgent in places, but contains some of my favorite paragraphs. Payne is remarkably perceptive in examining our convictions and surrenders, not to mention the preciously thin filament that connects one person to another.
Easily the most substantial and redemptive "beach read" I know of.
June 12, 2017
My first Payne and pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed it. Complex w/o self-conscious effort. Full characters exploring life lessons, the outer banks life and independent spirit, along w the pain and joy accompaniments. One big fault is this male notion re choice. I felt as though the author had an agenda. Never a facile choice and the story made it appear that regardless of the men involved "it'll all work out." Well,,,,
February 17, 2009
The author is overly wordy when he discusses his characters' philosophies of life, but the description of the storm at sea is spellbinding. It is good enough for vacation reading. The copy I read was on a shelf in a house by the sea.
November 18, 2009
I struggled a bit with the verbiage at the start, until the story drew me in. It's an interesting story in an intriguing setting. There are a few preachy sections about some controversial issues. T'was okay.
December 18, 2008
Great author with a memorable writing style.
July 8, 2009
I got this because we were taking a trip to the Outer Banks of North Carolina, where it's set. I got caught up in the plot after a while but really didn't like the writing.
July 13, 2010
A love story intertwined with the personal growth of Joe Madden, who has gone back to where he spent a lot of his childhood and has to fight memories of those times.
July 29, 2010
Another great David Payne novel. "Early From The Dance" covers growing up and this is about getting ready to finally be at least semi-mature. Awesome book.
August 12, 2016
A pretty good read, if a bit predictable. It was interesting, fast-paced, and had some good regional cultural insights.
July 9, 2012
A very engaging story that keeps you on the edge of your seat at the end of the book.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews