Strong for Potatoes

by Cynthia Thayer

When weaving baskets, what is more important, strength or beauty? In Cynthia Thayer's startling debut novel, baskets become an evocative metaphor of the self. Beauty is important, certainly, but if a basket isn't strong enough to hold potatoes, it is worthless. Meet Blue Willoughby, a brave and creative girl in the midst of a difficult journey into adulthood. Blue's whole life has been scarred by two events from her childhood: an accident that left her with a limp and a glass eye, and the tragic death of her twin sister just after their birth. The events, though, seem to have destroyed her parents more than they damaged Blue herself. Her mom and dad have all but disappeared from her life. Only Blue's grandfather, a Passamaquoddy Indian, sees her as she really is--strong, vibrant, and lovely in spite of her scars. With his encouragement, Blue learns to weave traditional baskets. The ash and sweet grass cut her hands, making them bleed, but Blue perseveres through the pain and learns to weave tight, strong, beautiful baskets. As she refines her craft, Blue finds the grace that heals her inner pain, setting her free into the richness of her own future. Strong for Potatoes is a complex, deeply moving story that will encourage mature teens and adults to pay more attention to the ways they weave experiences and people into their lives.

Genres: Fiction

261 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1998

About the author

Cynthia Underwood Thayer was born in New York City in 1944, raised in Nova Scotia and migrated to Maine via Massachusetts in 1976 to farm organically. For many years she was a weaver, showing her work throughout Maine and the east coast. Seventeen years ago, at the age of 50, she wrote her first short story, which was published in the Antigonish Review, and was hooked on writing.

She earned her BA in British Literature from Bridgewater State College in Massachusetts, graduating Magna Cum Laude, and went on to do her graduate work in nineteenth-century British literature.

Her first novel, Strong for Potatoes, published in 1998 by St. Martin’s Press, won the Rep’s Choice Award, was named best new fiction by Ingram Books, and was a Barnes and Noble “Discover” book.

Her second novel, A Certain Slant of Light, was published by St. Martin’s Press in 2000.

Reviews

[Zeeroh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was only going to give this book 4 stars because it took me several tries to finish it - which is much more about me as a reader than it is about the book... but I read the second "half" in one sitting yesterday, and... well, it made me cry.

My heritage is from the State o' Maine, I know a little something about northeast ash-splint baskets and basketmaking families... everything rang true. I liked that. I expected it to have a minor fluffy detail here and there, but the author seems to know her stuff. This isn't necessarily a story about Indian baskets, but it's a strong thread in this coming-of-age story.

I'd like to write more, but I don't want to spoil the story for anyone. It is a rather quick read if you stick to it, but that doesn't mean it doesn't have depth.

[Sue Gabianelli-danneker · Rating 3 out of 5]

still mulling this one around- was hard to get into. A story of a girl, singleton, whose twin was born without a brain which she was obsessed with her entire life. Her parents ignored her so she felt more in tune with her American Indian Grandfather.

[Vivian · Rating 1 out of 5]

I thought this book had promise. I liked the Native American references. This book, however, was twisted into the politically correct overused LGBT crap that seems to be required for books to be published in today's world.

[Paula Boyce · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this very interesting and (mostly) unpredictable story. I liked the twists and turns as well as the author's straightforward, yet gentle, approach to this story of a Native American's girl's very dysfunctional upbringing in DownEast Maine. She lived a very difficult life and had some tough decisions to make. The references to Passamaquoddy's culture, traditions, values, and language were rich and informative. I would recommend this book to any adult with Maine or Passamaquoddy roots, but would hesitate to recommend it to middle or high schoolers due to several explicit sex scenes, racism and violence.

[Rita · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book i set in Mainel and the characters are present day members of the Passamaquody tribe. The main character is Blue who was born a twin. Her twin was named Berry (Blueberry) but as she was born without a brain, she did not live. Blue becomes a basket weaver. The baskets were originally made to transport potatoes; hence, the book title. The story revolves around Blue's growing up in a family with a dad who wo is an avid photographer, a mother who is a painter and a grandpa who is Blue's principal supporter. Other important characters are Brian, Leanore and Marten.

[Teresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was really disappointing. It started-off well, but never really went anywhere. It lacks soul. It tries too hard to be meaningful and deep, but misses the mark every time. It doesn’t ring true. The protagonist isn’t particularly likable. It feels like big chunks of the story are missing. Bottom line is that it’s just very unsatisfying and blah. Left a bad taste in my mouth. I gave it 3 stars only because I couldn’t give it 2.5.

[Karen King · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel touches upon every possible societal topic today and handles them in a really nice manner. Greatly interesting with many character surprises.

[Mkotch · Rating 1 out of 5]

very slow moving

[Michele Feiner · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this book up at our vacation home Air bnb and read it in just a few strings. Moving story with regional themes.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has been on my bookshelf for a few years, a book I received from someone close. What a wonderful, sad and beautiful story. Rich characters, a slow and steady story line.

[Debbie Aruta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing! Great story, family , traditions. Highly recommend!!

[Tamra Muir · Rating 1 out of 5]

aw

[Ellen Mays]

Each time I picked up book I had to start mostly over, couldn’t remember anything I had read. Maybe just wrong time for me.

[C.R . · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book reminded me about finding and following my own passion and joy.

[Elizabeth Luce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a cute book. I loved it. Easy read.

[Judith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Curious story about a young woman, Blue, living in Maine, who is part Passamaquoddy. She endures an accident when young that leaves her partly disabled. She suffers some small amount of curiosity and prejudice from other children because of her disability, but finds that prejudice is much stronger when she reveals her Native American heritage.

While still a girl, she frequently stays with her grandfather on the reservation. It is here that she meets an elderly basketmaker who shows her her craft, making baskets from ash and sweetgrasses. Blue takes to the process quickly and is determined to become very good at it.

Blue is one half of a set. Her twin, Berry, was born without a brain and lived only a few days. Knowing about her sister, Blue brings her to life in her head and spends time talking to her, working things out with the sister in her imagination.

In some ways Blue's childhood is ideal, but in others not so much. She is particularly affected by the relationship between her parents. It is this that often leads her to call on her grandfather for guidance. Her grandfather tells her to seek passion in her love life. Watching those around her, she sees passion sometimes and wants it.

A nice introduction to Passamoquoddy culture and some phonetic language, but I felt the introduction of Passamoquoddy mysticism came rather late into the story and felt, to me, out of place, as if Blue were following something she wasn't sure of herself. I wasn't as affected by the difficult events in her life as I think I should have been. It's an interesting book but it didn't grab me.

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Starts deceptively innocent. An easy read, almost as if written for a youth market. Content becomes disturbing and draws the reader in a voyeuristic journey in which happy endings are elusive. I wondered how to read the title - it fact, it was the title that drew me to the book.

The main character (in first person narrative) endures many hardships as we follow her from youth to independence. Growing up in Maine among potatoes and Penobscots, our narrator spends a summer learning to make baskets such as the common potato basket.

Along the way, her ability, not so much to overcome difficulties but to make decisions and move on in a new direction when events collide with expectations, proves that she is strong, just as a basket must be strong, for potatoes.

[Jodee Clark · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was an easy read for me. I would not recommend it for any one who will be offended by same sex relations and described sex scenes. If you can get past that this is a wonderful story about survival, love and make the most of ones lifes and the trajedies that are thrown at you.

Blue was a likeable and resilient character. By the end she had really learned how to control her own destiny. The symbolism in the baskets was a great comparison for life.

[Darlene · Rating 4 out of 5]

When one twin lives and the other dies, when the living twin loses an eye and some mobility in an accident five years later, how does a family move into the future? Blue Willoughby has her Grandpa to ground her in the ways of their ancestors on the Passamaquoddy reservation in eastern Maine as she treads the waters of her adolescence.

[Barb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved everything about this book. Sometimes I don't like Maine books because they don't seem real. Both Cynthia Thayer books I have read have been the opposite--wonderful story, characters and setting.

[Melrie · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is an easy read and well-enough written. The plot is fairly predictable. A Native American woman is born a twin, but her sister does not survive past birth. The story is essentially about the effect of this event on her family.

[Regina Clark · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't love this book but didn't not like it. Loved the relationship between Blue & grandpa. He was my favorite character. What a wonderful way to leave this world. Obviously her parents were awful. Brian, too, was quite loveable.

[Jonna · Rating 5 out of 5]

OK, I have to be honest, the title made me pull it off the bookshelf. But once I read the flap and saw what it was about, I knew it was right up my alley - especially with the Native American connection. A really good read!

[Lynne Swadel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful picture of rural Maine Passamoquoddy life as well as a character study. Well written and poignant

[Exactingnemesis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ho hum...a good summer read

[Della Scott · Rating 3 out of 5]

I reviewed this on bookcrossing.

[Lindsay Nichols · Rating 4 out of 5]

A big thanks to the Goodreads person who suggested this book to me...I have forgotten your name, but the book was great!

I loved the way the story unfolded...like flipping through old photos.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Empowering

[Carol Eshaghy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Story of a part Indian girl who is mentored in life by her Indian grandfather. I would add an extra 1/2 star.

[Sally · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Maine story by a Maine author. Quick read.