The Buoyant Letters of Mimsy Bell

by Laurel Dodge

Menotomy, a small, unassuming town in the western mountains of Maine, has nothing much to distinguish it except the great, wild, murderous river that flows through it, and the fact that it was the birthplace of rock 'n' roll star Mimsy Bell. These two--river and rock star--have a history: the river took the life of Mimsy's first love. Now, at the age of eighty, after a life of sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll, Mimsy has returned to Menotomy to find herself a suitable gravesite and to have it out at last with the river that has haunted her all her life. Armed with a collection of small antique bottles and a sharp pen, Mimsy records her daily life in letters to her dead lover, bottles them and tosses them into the river, an eccentricity that soon attracts a number of new admirers, and initiates a series of life-changing adventures.

Genres: Fiction

188 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2023

Reviews

[Kay Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel is a unique and delightful read. In it, Laurel Dodge captures the essence of New England small town life, including generous dollops of humor and true compassion. She delivers on the story's improbable and delightful premise, that octogenarian rock star Mimsy Bell moves back to a little river town in western Maine to settle a score with its dangerous but beautiful river, because the love of her life drowned there when she was a young woman. She writes letters to her long-dead lover. She puts each letter in an old bottle and tosses it into the river. The story is told through her letters, (with a few by some other characters). In each one she explains the past and reports on what's happening in the present, as her life blooms anew. The writing is witty and snarky, but also tender. Her descriptions of the river (really a character in the book) and the natural world are excellent, showing that Dodge is a keen observer of both human nature and the natural world around us. The volume is gorgeous - with peach end papers to match the stunning cover illustrated by Deborah Kozak. Note: My husband loved it too - especially all the rock 'n' roll parts. Highly highly recommended. Book clubs - read this one! It's truly something special and I would give it ten stars!

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I was young, I would often see in the media women I admired in some way. I liked the way one dressed; I admired the other’s poise; I envied still another’s ability to build something. They were all bright, energetic, and involved.

Now that I am in my 80s, it isn’t so easy to spot an active woman my age in the media. And finding one as a main character in literature is almost impossible. I can think only of Miss Marple and Olive Kitteridge – but now there is also Mimsy Bell.

The feisty Mimsy is introduced to us in The Buoyant Letters of Mimsy Bell, the debut novel by Laurel Dodge. Mimsy has returned to her childhood home in small town Maine, and we meet her sending a letter to the love of her life, her teenage boyfriend who drowned sixty years ago. She puts each letter, about what she is doing, the local gossip, her worries and regrets, her memories, into a bottle which she tosses into the river where he was lost. These perceptive letters are the novel.

She had quite a life after she left home in the 60s - flower child, talented fiddle player, wife of a famous rock n’ roll star, touring with the band. Now the husband is dead, there has been a falling out with the band, there are no more drugs except for blood pressure, and she has returned home. Her perceptive thoughts about grief and loss, her determination to live in the present, to build a new life with new friends, her interest in preserving the beauty of the countryside around her – all give a second meaning to the book title’s “buoyant."

I like that literature is starting to acknowledge the importance of the music of the 60s and 70s. Besides this one, I’ve recently read Haruki Murakami’s Norwegian Wood and Jennifer Egan’s A Visit from the Goon Squad and The Candy House.

Although Buoyant's main character is an octogenarian, the novel speaks to all ages. Fitting into a new environment, finding purpose in life, making oneself useful, overcoming hardships, all are universal issues.

As a bonus, it is beautiful book – with a lovely translucent orange front page. I didn’t find it in any libraries yet and it isn't on Amazon, but it can be ordered from Littoral Books, Portland, Maine.

If you would like to read more of my reviews, check out my blog, Old Ladies Read and More, at www.oldladiesread.com

[Stacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Buoyant Letters of Mimsy Belle, by Laurel Dodge has a depth and beauty that draws you in. The novel is an engaging blend of introspection and adventure. Mimsy's interactions with the town's quirky characters, her struggles with her own mortality, and her encounters with the river make for a deeply moving and evocative narrative. Armed with a collection of antique bottles, she writes letters to the lover the river claimed and sets them free in the current and in our hearts.

Laurel paints a vivid portrait of a sleepy Maine town, capturing the interplay between its natural beauty and the complexities of human nature. The river, a powerful and enigmatic force, serves as a haunting symbol of Mimsy's past and her search for redemption. The Buoyant Letters of Mimsy Belle is a novel that resonates on multiple levels. It is a testament to the enduring power of love, the healing nature of forgiveness, and the transformative journey of self-discovery. Its compelling characters and poignant themes will stay with me.

It’s an excellent book. I highly recommend it.

[Anita Lichman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Crying, laughing, at full attention. This book has my heart. I loved Mimsy-the feisty, generous, lover of nature, collector of people, creative main character. I also loved all the Maine references and the descriptions of country based homes with critters that invade inside and outside.

There were surprises in the narrative, connections I didn’t see coming, and the most sincere ode to a life well lived. I’ll miss Mimsy and her letters, her non linear and messy life, and her open hearted connection to a hodgepodge of flawed and real characters that made up her chosen family.

[Martha · Rating 5 out of 5]

wonderful story written by an old lady. She sends her drowned lover letters in bottles into the river--telling him the news of the world they shared.

[Katie Snell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Picked this book up from a local bookstore in Maine. It is completely outside of my go-to genres and was a welcome change. Mimsy is a delightful character and led to several point of reflection.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so beautifully written. I kept rereading sentences just to enjoy them again. It’s a charming story about a woman I’d like to have met. Her story is sweet, sad, funny, and heartfelt. I love stories about Maine, my adopted state, which adds yet another layer of enjoyment. I highly recommend this book.

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Buoyant Letters of Mimsy Bell was an absolute delight from beginning to end and an easy 5-star read for me. As a reader in my 70s, I especially appreciated a story that celebrates the idea that life remains full of possibility, adventure, and personal growth at every age.
Mimsy is such a charming and memorable character—warm, witty, and wonderfully unique. Through her letters, the reader is drawn into a world that feels both whimsical and deeply heartfelt. There is something especially lovely about an epistolary novel in today’s fast-paced world; the letters create an intimacy and thoughtfulness that made me want to slow down and savor every page.
One of the book’s greatest strengths is its sense of place. As a Maine author and naturalist, Laurel Dodge brings an extraordinary eye for the natural world to her writing. Her descriptions of the landscape are stunning, vivid, and immersive, so much so that the river itself feels like a living presence in the novel—a constant companion, witness, and quiet force shaping the story alongside the characters.
I was also drawn to the emotional depth beneath the book’s gentle charm. Mimsy’s tendency to over-romanticize her first love felt deeply believable and poignant. Watching how that idealized relationship influenced so many of her later life choices added a thoughtful layer to the novel and made her journey of self-discovery all the more meaningful.
What I loved most about this book is its uplifting message. So many novels focus on youth, but The Buoyant Letters of Mimsy Bell beautifully reminds us that reinvention, meaningful friendships, and new beginnings are not reserved for the young. That theme resonated deeply with me and felt both refreshing and encouraging.
I also want to mention what a pleasure it was to hold this book in my hands. By choosing to work with a small local publisher, the author has produced a beautifully bound, high-quality volume that feels special in a way many mass-market books no longer do. The physical book itself is a lovely object and enhances the entire reading experience.
This was pure reading pleasure for me—a heartwarming, hopeful, and beautifully crafted novel that I thoroughly loved.

[Paula Boyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mimsy Bell returns to her small hometown in southwestern Maine at the age of 81. Unbeknownst to the townsfolk, she's now a widow, a wealthy and somewhat famous rockstar, and a former hippie who spent many years on the road as a member of the rock band. She's lived a full life and returns to her roots to find a resting place and to try to enjoy what time she has left. The book is written in letters to the boyfriend she lost as a result of a canoe accident in the river when they were both twenty years old. She sends her letters via the river in bottles she has collected over the years. Mimsy develops a love-hate relationship with the river and is still, after all these years, angry at it for taking, Gerald, her boyfriend. Yet, she is drawn to it and feels the need to check in every chance she gets. Throughout her time after she returns to Maine, Mimsy has mellowed out and just wants peace for herself and others. She makes new friends, rekindles old friendships and enjoys a colorful existence, albeit one that is declining in health. I loved reading about these quirky characters, how they came to love and depend on each other, and how they deal with life's losses.

[Kate Coffin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved The Bouyant Letters of Mimsy Bell by Laurel Dodge. It is a wonderful story with beautiful imagery, relatable life lessons and real characters who interact and take care of each other like true friends and good neighbors. Laurel captures the seasons and infuses the scene with natural details that allow the reader to experience a true sense of being there. I especially connected to the wisdom Mimsy had gathered through her life's journey and yet the questions and insecurities she struggled with that were genuine and relatable. The epistolary style was a fun diversion from standard narrative prose. Telling the story in letters added richness as the reader filled in the spaces between letters from their imagination and then discovered new twists in the next letter. There are so many reasons that this book will appeal to a wide range of readers!

[Dale Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read The Buoyant Letters of Mimsy Bell in a day - could not put it down. Part of the enjoyment was the setting in my beloved home state of Maine, but also because the author was masterful at weaving Mimsy's past with her present, making it a page turner. As an epistolary novel one feels drawn into Mimsy's story and thoughts in a very personal and heartfelt way. Laurel Dodge is also masterful in the way she sets scenes with her poetic-like descriptions of nature as it rotates with the seasons. There is some mid 20th century history in this book that I could relate to as well, which I also found enjoyable. The Buoyant Letters of Mimsy Bell is worth the read!

[Daniel Wescott · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book after my wife and can see why she enjoyed it so much. The Buoyant Letters of Mimsy Belle is great. I love the symbolism of the river and the way Mimsy interacts with the townsfolk. She really captures the way Maine is, which is quite an accomplishment all by itself. Laurel Dodge is a talented writer and I am looking forward to reading more of her stuff as it comes out.

Quirky characters, troubled past, and an emotional path to follow, this book has it all. I really enjoyed it, and I think you will, too.

[Nancy Noble · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had heard about this book for a while - when I was perusing the shelves of my small island library I was reminded that this was on my to-read list, and the fact that it was a paperback made it more enticing, as it's easier to carry on the ferry. I thoroughly enjoyed each page of this tale of the amazing Mimsy Bell - so beautifully written and engaging. I'm a fan now, of both Mimsy Bell and Laurel Dodge.

[Marta E C R · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just stunning; I don’t even know what to say. The author of this remarkable book wove together so many pieces of Mimsy Bell’s imperfect life by the end that all I could say was, “Wow.” Many thanks to Maine Public Radio’s All Books Considered book club for bringing this book to my attention. I can’t wait to listen to the author talk, which was held in April.

[Moni Chakra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Instantly a favorite! This book made me laugh, cry, and everything in between. Juxtaposed with beautiful descriptions of the river, the story bends and weaves like the water it follows. I loved the small town feels, her reclaiming life in later years, and all the connections she makes. So happy I picked this one up on a trip in Maine.

[Tina Casteris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely story, and it sure is nice to have a much older female protagonist. Mimsy Bell lives a rich and adventurous life. Telling it through letters was a bit of a gimmick and results in the story being “told” rather than “shown”, doing something of a disservice to this feisty character.

[Kathleen Eldridge · Rating 4 out of 5]

A delightful story written in letters to a long lost love from youth. Great characters and tales of a small town in Maine. I recommend! And thanks to Toni from Fiction Bookshop in Wiscasset for the recommendation!

[Kristina Watts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very original - delightful quick read.

[Nicole M · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved every minute with Mimsy 🥺

[Lucy · Rating 5 out of 5]

so beautiful so lovely so perfect

[Dill E. Dally · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was recommended to me by a friend who saw that me and Mimsy had a great deal in common. I am ashamed to say that I have not read too many books as an adult that were not non-fiction, in part because life has simply kept me preoccupied, but this book did stop me in my tracks. It is altogether easy to lose track of time when you are reading letter after letter. It prompted me to think about many things that I had not thought of before, reminded me that folks in their 80s are just as much who they are as I am who I am and that there is much I do not know about the lives they have lived. It covers grief and loss beautifully, and it has inspired me to integrate myself with my community more than I have been. Beautiful read, one that I am still thinking about months later.

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

An 82 year old woman returns to her home town after becoming a star musicians . Why did she go home at this point in her life? The town contained a river and the river contained memories which needed resolution. The book is told through her letters to a deceased boyfriend, taken too early in life by a raging current. These letters are written frequently, lovingly placed in old bottles, sealed and tossed into the river to be read by the deceased lover.
Although this may sound morbid, it isn't really. The tale is of her life and how it progresses after the return to a tragic location.