One Man's Island: Reflections on Maine Life from Slightly Offshore

by Caskie Stinnett

Book by Stinnett, Caskie

187 pages, Hardcover

First published December 1, 1984

Reviews

[Donna Dawson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a wonderful read for anyone who cares about Maine, or would like to know more about it. I am not a Maine resident, but have been visiting the state for several years. Yes, I cheer loudly when I cross the bridge from NH into Maine, and comment immediately on how beautiful the water is, and also the trees and the sky. This book showed me I wasn't the only person to feel this way. The book is a reprint of magazine columns the author had previously written, grouped into categories. He was a good columnist; his writing doesn't get bogged down. Even when he is criticizing or complaining, he often includes humor, and I found myself chuckling and almost always agreeing with him. But the best, and most eloquent columns, to me at least, were those in which he was describing Maine's natural beauty, and all the intangible things he loves about the state. This is a really good book.

[Jenny Gardner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read many books set in or about Maine. This is one of the most evocative and it resonated with me. While I know I'm not island material, he's captured the essence of Maine and why I want to be a Mainer. Stinnet uses prose that are both matter of fact and lyrical at the same time.

[Lauren Bell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the book I choose from the 20 on my bedside table when I want to read a little snippet of something without getting overly involved. While that doesn't sound like a rave review, it really is a perfect collection of essays. His writing style is superbly readable, with dry and wry humor, a little grumpy old man-ish at times, and at times, deeply personal and reflective without being the least bit pretentious or overbearing. He reminds me very much of my grandfather, who was a maine islander for 3 months out of every year. It's like visiting home.

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked this book up when I visited Maine in the 1980's. It consists of columns the author wrote for Down East Magazine. The style reminded me of what a less serious Thoreau would have written if he lived alone on a small Maine island. This is a delightful book.