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Tide Trilogy #3
The Ebbing Tide
The struggles, hardship, and joy of one woman's life on a Maine island are brought to life in this haunting and enduringly popular trilogy, the first three books of the Bennett's Island series. Elisabeth Ogilvie tells the story of Joanna Bennett and her colorful life on Bennett's Island with a sensitivity and truthfulness born of her own early years on isolated Criehaven, the real Bennett's Island.
272 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 1947
6 people are currently reading
88 people want to read
About the author
Elisabeth Ogilvie
75 books53 followersElisabeth Ogilvie’s striking evocation of the atmosphere of the Maine seacoast that is the background of The Seasons Hereafter is no accident, for she lived in just such an area for many years, and her love for its people and their way of life has influenced all her novels.
Her activities on Gay’s Island, where she spent most of the year, included writing, gardening, and “trying not to suspect that a bear is at the door, a moose lurking in among the alders, or a horned owl hovering overhead about to bear away the cat.”
She contributed a considerable amount of writing of magazine fiction and children’s books, and is the author of several novels, including There May Be Heaven, The Witch Door, Rowan Head, The Dawning of the Day, Storm Tide, and one book of nonfiction, My World Is an Island.
Her activities on Gay’s Island, where she spent most of the year, included writing, gardening, and “trying not to suspect that a bear is at the door, a moose lurking in among the alders, or a horned owl hovering overhead about to bear away the cat.”
She contributed a considerable amount of writing of magazine fiction and children’s books, and is the author of several novels, including There May Be Heaven, The Witch Door, Rowan Head, The Dawning of the Day, Storm Tide, and one book of nonfiction, My World Is an Island.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
July 17, 2019
This novel is the third in a series written in 1947, and continues to bring the delightful imagery and fine character development that were present in the first two. The last book ended with the beginning of World War II, and as expected, this one deals with the island coping with the absence of so many of her men--gone to the war. Among those missing from the island is Nils Sorenson, serving in the Pacific and leaving Joanna to run things at home and deal with the loneliness and trials of a remote island existence.
By way of adding some intrigue to the story and exploring the depths of Joanna’s feelings, we are presented with a new man on the island, Dennis Garland. I must say, Ogilvie knows how to draw a man on paper with whom any woman would find herself enamoured. It is the quite strength of her men that appeals so much to me, I know, and the effect they have on a woman who is strong in her own right. They never have to bluster or brag and there is a depth of emotion as deep as an ocean beneath that surface of calm.
I find the imagery of Bennett’s Island intoxicating, and Ogilvie does what few writers can do--she makes you use all your senses, so that you hear the waves as well as seeing them, feel the chill of the cold mornings or the lift of the winds, taste the lobsters on the table and the blueberries on the vine, and smell the salt in the air and the fragrance of the lilacs on the doorstep.
A light salty wind blew against her body, cooling it under the light cotton dress. She lifted her hair from the back of her damp neck, loosened it from her scalp with her fingers. The ridge was the same, the sea was the same; Matinicus Rock rose out of the water as it had always done, and even the fact that there was a gun crew out there, and newly built radio towers, couldn’t change the everlastingness of the rock itself. It was the same with the Island. It had existed before Joanna had, it would exist long afterwards. In the life of the Island, her life was only a sigh.
This finishes the trilogy, but this does not complete my relationship with Elisabeth Ogilvie. She wrote a number of other books and I am looking forward to finding them and, hopefully, enjoying them with the same enthusiasm I have found for these.
By way of adding some intrigue to the story and exploring the depths of Joanna’s feelings, we are presented with a new man on the island, Dennis Garland. I must say, Ogilvie knows how to draw a man on paper with whom any woman would find herself enamoured. It is the quite strength of her men that appeals so much to me, I know, and the effect they have on a woman who is strong in her own right. They never have to bluster or brag and there is a depth of emotion as deep as an ocean beneath that surface of calm.
I find the imagery of Bennett’s Island intoxicating, and Ogilvie does what few writers can do--she makes you use all your senses, so that you hear the waves as well as seeing them, feel the chill of the cold mornings or the lift of the winds, taste the lobsters on the table and the blueberries on the vine, and smell the salt in the air and the fragrance of the lilacs on the doorstep.
A light salty wind blew against her body, cooling it under the light cotton dress. She lifted her hair from the back of her damp neck, loosened it from her scalp with her fingers. The ridge was the same, the sea was the same; Matinicus Rock rose out of the water as it had always done, and even the fact that there was a gun crew out there, and newly built radio towers, couldn’t change the everlastingness of the rock itself. It was the same with the Island. It had existed before Joanna had, it would exist long afterwards. In the life of the Island, her life was only a sigh.
This finishes the trilogy, but this does not complete my relationship with Elisabeth Ogilvie. She wrote a number of other books and I am looking forward to finding them and, hopefully, enjoying them with the same enthusiasm I have found for these.
September 17, 2016
Returning to Bennett's Island is like a family reunion. Loved it.
July 31, 2022
Bennett’s Island, BK 3 of the Tide trilogy
WW II has pulled most of the young men into the war, both Mark and Stevie Bennett had enlisted at the beginning of the war, though Owen been refused because of a heart problem. Now Nils Sorensen, Joanna Bennett’s husband who had been used by the Coast Guard for his knowledge of the Maine waters and islands is now being deployed to to Far East war. Most of the older folks and families have moved back to the mainland. Joanna stay’s on Bennett’s Island in Nils’ family home with her young son Jamie and her hard drinking and deeply depressed brother Owen. There are only a few other occupied homes: Nils’ older brother Sigurd and his “housekeeper” Leonie, his cousin Thea and her soft spoken husband Francis Seaver, and Matthew Ferrell and his young bride Nora and his old harridan of a grandmother. Aunt Mary, Joanna’s Uncle Nate’s widow has sold their prime Bennett property to Dennis Garland, and insists Joanna put him up when he comes to inspect the property that Joanna and Nils had hoped to buy and keep in the family.
War, working together to keep lobstering for their survival, storms damage, problems for several of the island families keep the island life busy. The new man seems to fit in quietly and well, always helping out when problems arise, but his friendship is a two edged sword.
Beautifully written WW II island life- the struggles and the quiet joys of life and nature on the islands. Lovely look at relationships and what love really is.
WW II has pulled most of the young men into the war, both Mark and Stevie Bennett had enlisted at the beginning of the war, though Owen been refused because of a heart problem. Now Nils Sorensen, Joanna Bennett’s husband who had been used by the Coast Guard for his knowledge of the Maine waters and islands is now being deployed to to Far East war. Most of the older folks and families have moved back to the mainland. Joanna stay’s on Bennett’s Island in Nils’ family home with her young son Jamie and her hard drinking and deeply depressed brother Owen. There are only a few other occupied homes: Nils’ older brother Sigurd and his “housekeeper” Leonie, his cousin Thea and her soft spoken husband Francis Seaver, and Matthew Ferrell and his young bride Nora and his old harridan of a grandmother. Aunt Mary, Joanna’s Uncle Nate’s widow has sold their prime Bennett property to Dennis Garland, and insists Joanna put him up when he comes to inspect the property that Joanna and Nils had hoped to buy and keep in the family.
War, working together to keep lobstering for their survival, storms damage, problems for several of the island families keep the island life busy. The new man seems to fit in quietly and well, always helping out when problems arise, but his friendship is a two edged sword.
Beautifully written WW II island life- the struggles and the quiet joys of life and nature on the islands. Lovely look at relationships and what love really is.
May 22, 2025
These books were written in the mid 1940's. This book sees Nils heading for the war in the Pacific as well as his two younger brothers, Mark and Stevie. Joanna is left at home with her brother Owen who was turned down by the Navy for medical reasons, and her small son and young daughter. A stranger arrives having bought one of the old homes on the island. Joanna is skeptical but soon finds him to be a friendly addition. He is a Navy doctor who was released from the war because of his mental wounds from the fighting and patching soldiers up. Joanna becomes torn and confused with her feelings for Dennis, while still missing and staying strong for Nils.
September 14, 2019
I think this was the best story of the trilogy, at least the most dramatic. Ogilvie provided the island population with the draft calls for military service, surprise pregnancies, life-changing injuries, questions of marital fidelity and livelihood, all around the Bennett family of Bennets Island's off-shore fishing community. I'll be looking to read other books by this author.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 16, 2016
I so liked this last book in Ogilvie's trilogy.
Joanna remains an evolving character, although perhaps the ending is a bit melodramatic after Nils comes home from the war.
Persistent themes persist: family, island rivalries and healings, malice and love, working hard despite, and being willing to change in a place and time where change and changelessness are sometimes at war.
And coming home...especially after war. Thought a lot about the burdens soldiers carry and often cannot speak of until they're ready. And of families who "keep the home fires burning." And of the loneliness at night when you reach out and your partner's not there.
A fine three books these are.
Joanna remains an evolving character, although perhaps the ending is a bit melodramatic after Nils comes home from the war.
Persistent themes persist: family, island rivalries and healings, malice and love, working hard despite, and being willing to change in a place and time where change and changelessness are sometimes at war.
And coming home...especially after war. Thought a lot about the burdens soldiers carry and often cannot speak of until they're ready. And of families who "keep the home fires burning." And of the loneliness at night when you reach out and your partner's not there.
A fine three books these are.
July 16, 2016
Wrapped up the Tide Trilogy. The entire series moves slowly, intentionally so, interspersed with a dramatic moment. This one was even slower and the end tipped me over from the line between Joanna being a strong woman and a headstrong stupid one. It's not all about you, Joanna.
September 29, 2008
The best part of a great book is going to another place and time! This triology provides that kind of experience!
July 16, 2012
Just love Ogilvie. Enough said!
July 25, 2009
LOVED IT
November 2, 2010
3rd in the series about Joanna Bennett & her family. Nils joins WW II & is gone a year.
March 12, 2013
The author was a friend of my grandmothers – and I read all of her books while growing up from adolescence to my late teens – and love and adore all of them :-)
September 4, 2013
Part 3 of the Bennett Island series.
May 13, 2014
I enjoyed this series because of the setting -- a beautiful island in Maine - and because the characters were interesting, but the situations were a bit formulaic. Nice story.
July 9, 2016
Prep for Maine trip
February 23, 2022
What an incredible series. Timeless.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews