Stillwater: A Novel

by William F. Weld

In 1938, as the inhabitants of a small valley prepare for the forthcoming flooding of their homes to create a giant reservoir, three young people--Jamieson, Caleb, and Hannah--stumble upon the deceitful machinations of the local lawyer and preacher and uncover the dark secrets of the past. By the author of Big Ugly. Reprint. 20,000 first printing.

Genres: Fiction

240 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2002

Reviews

[Joe · Rating 4 out of 5]

True fact: in 1938 four towns were flooded off the face of the map by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

In this fictional tale, Jamieson Kooby comes of age just as his world comes crashing down. His last year on the family farm is filled both with firsts as he enters adulthood and with "lasts" as every seasonal event is the last to take place in the Swift River Valley. It's a bittersweet time for Jamieson, his family & friends, and residents of the valley. Readers will share in their impending loss as the story unfolds.

[Tyler Wolanin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This isn't a *bad* three-star review. As someone who grew up in the Quabbin region, I thought that this book did its job of invoking the nostalgia and feeling of loss fairly well; though I also found it a bit pompous and meandering. Sometimes, though, it's nice to just read some Calvin and Hobbes type stuff about how the kids used to fish, back in the day. Full blog post here: tylerwolanin.com/blog/2020/11/15/what...

[Montserrat Archbald · Rating 4 out of 5]

I realized partway through this book that it was written by my former governor. I didn't like him as a governor, but I have to say he's a pretty good writer. And the story behind the Quabbin Reservoir is an endlessly fascinating bit of history.

[Chris Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice simple story that probably has interest to only those who have familiarity with the Quabbin Reservoir project and the adjacent area.

[Toni · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was OK. Learned a lot about the history of how Quabbin Reservoir came about. The story is told through the eyes of a 15 year old boy and his grandmother.

[Janet · Rating 2 out of 5]

meh....

[Anne-Marijn Küthe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable read.

[Allyson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Found it historically informative but not very engaging. I was waiting for the plot to pick up the entire time and it did not, and ended on a very melancholy note.

[Barbara Parrish · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books I ever read.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Picked this up at a thrift store and am glad I did. It was a very enjoyable read.

[Julie Finn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read so long ago really don't remember much about it.....

[J · Rating 5 out of 5]

BEWARE. I DON'T FLAG SPOILERS. BUT I DON'T PUT MY REVIEWS OUT ON ANY FEED, EITHER.

Knocked my socks off. Didn't think a former prosecutor-governor had the skills to write what I'd call artistic, rather than mass-circulation, fiction.

Combines an interesting (don't know if historically based) story of political corruption and intrigue with well-observed nature descriptions with a coming-of-age first love tale told by a mature man looking back.

I live in the NV desert now but grew up in northeastern Ohio near PA and NY states, so I relished all the textural details of Stillwater's forested, creek-laden rural landscape.

[Heidi · Rating 2 out of 5]

Stillwater by former Massachusetts governor, William Weld. Historical fiction based on the flooding of Swift valley to form the Quabbin Reservoir. Could have been riveting, as I find that whole topic fascinating. Instead it moved at a glacial pace for the first 3/4s, then picked up the tempo and the interest in the last 1/4. Almost gave up on it, except, like I said, I find the topic fascinating. Makes me wonder…who edits these things??? Can’t wait to move onto something completely different.

[Alan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Curiosity drove me to pick this up, but I really kinda liked it. It is almost magical realism. It centers around the destruction of the four central Massachusetts towns in the 1930s to make way for the Quabbin Reservoir to provide water to Boston. It is all seen through the eyes of a young boy. I was not a huge fan of Weld as a governor, but he's not a terrible novelist.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

this book had potential. and although i am surprised the author, a former governor and federal prosecutor, sustained from writing in a biased voice, he didn't seem to keep his thoughts straight. the book was hard to follow at times and he focused on too many small details. he was somewhat repetitive and left out other details that leave you to wonder.

[Ed · Rating 4 out of 5]

Coming of age novel - 15 year old Jamieson's experiences during 1938 as the state of Massachusetts prepares to flood the Swift River Valley, drowning 5 towns in the process, to create the Quabbin Reservoir. A character is the father of Terry Mullally featured in Author Weld's prior novels.

[Holli · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book had amazing potential, but was poorly written and more about hunting/fishing than the building of the Quabbin Reservoir. A huge disappointment.

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a quiet, literary journey novel, it was excellent. As a kind of plot- or character-driven novel I prefer to read, not really my cup of tea.

[Sue · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some really lovely writing, beautiful descriptive passages regarding life in nature. But, overall just a little too "odd" for me.