Edson

by Bill Morrissey

A bittersweet first novel about the power of music and the resilience of the human heart. Edson, New Hampshire, is a typical New England mill town, where everyone knows everyone else's business, and people come of age with dreams of leaving. Coming back to Edson after 20 years, once-promising musician Henry Corvine is faced with two emotionally charged options: give up completely--or start all over

Genres: Music

Hardcover

First published April 9, 1996

Reviews

[Katey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a college student in Nashville studying songwriting. I journeyed to Rhino Booksellers on a cold Saturday morning in December with two of my friends. We spent hours combing through books in that place! I happened to pull this novel off the shelf and its straightforward manner and inviting familiarity fascinated me. About to drop into the dead of winter and go back to my own hometown for Christmas, I figured it was the perfect read! Moreover, it was written by a songwriter! Whose name I regretfully didn’t recognize…
(I still need to check out Bill Morrissey’s music!)

Now, on a Sunday morning in May I just finished Edson! (It certainly isn’t a long novel. It only took me this long to read because of my busy schedule) This is not the type of novel that will take you on some grandiose Hero’s Journey. It is not loud and it does not seek to justify itself to the reader at every turn. That is what is so refreshing about Edson!

I could see some people reading Edson and thinking, “well, what’s the point?” Admittedly, as I saw the remaining pages grow leaner and leaner, I asked the same question. I’m sure I could drum up some overly intellectual answer but that would feel insultingly simplistic to the heart of the book. Simply put, Edson is about a man finding hope again.

I feel as though I have made a new friend by reading this book. I don’t even mean protagonist, though I do feel warmly towards him. I more so mean the entire world of the book: Edson the town, the snow that covers it, Henry’s fishing stories, the various characters, Henry’s hurt with his ex-wife, his love for Caroline, etc etc etc. The entirety of the book, both the action and the ideas within it, have warmed my heart.

I have felt extremely burned out this year and it has taken a massive toll on my songwriting. I am now home for summer break with no demanding schedule getting in the way of my songwriting. But I’ve barely touched my guitar for months and it takes some courage to pull out it again. I am grateful to have run into Edson at just the right time. It has tended to my fire for songwriting when I didn’t have the courage or strength to. Maybe I’ll pull out my guitar this week

[Vance · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perhaps I may be rightfully accused of being biased by my enjoyment of Bill’s music, but I honestly felt the plot and character sketches captivated me the same as the stories in his songs do. This was a pleasant diversion, nothing cosmic or tumultuous, but an engaging and enjoyed tale. Having lived In Maine for many years I can add the picture Bill painted of small town New England life was spot on as well.

[Jonathan Landry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've re-read this book a number of times over the years, and have always enjoyed it. Morrissey's songs have always been described a mini-novels, so it's no surprise perhaps that he eventually wrote a novel.
Having grown up in New Hampshire, I think he captures the feel and atmosphere, and the people of the state perfectly.

[Paul Secor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mixed feelings about this book. If I were rating it strictly as a book, I'd give it 3 stars. But I'm a long time fan of Bill Morrissey's music, and he signed my copy of Edson some years ago when I heard him perform. Plus, a good friend of mine played on one of his records. So much stuff going on for me that I had to give it 4 stars.
Thanks for everything you gave us, Mr. Morrissey. You're missed.

[Joe · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a bit slow to get started, but I found myself enmeshed in the characters and rooting for the good guys. It's the kind of book I would write if I lived in New Hampshire and were an old folksinger. Very humane and engaging.

[Robert Posey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Singer-songwriter Bill Morrissey writes a pretty good first novel. It's not perfect and his characters aren't either. Edson drew me in by the middle of book with good description of hard-scrabble New England life.