Somewhere Off the Coast of Maine

by Ann Hood

In 1969, as Peter, Paul and Mary croon on the radio and poster paints splash the latest antiwar slogans, three young friends find love. Suzanne, a poet, lives in a Maine beach house awaiting the birth of a child she will call Sparrow. Claudia, who weds a farmer during college, plans to raise three strong sons. Elizabeth and her husband marry, organize protests, and try to rear two children with their hippie values. By 1985, things have changed: Suzanne, now with an MBA, calls Sparrow "Susan." Claudia spirals backward into her sixties world—and madness. And Elizabeth, fatally ill, watches despairingly as her children yearn for a split-level house and a gleaming station wagon.

Somewhere Off the Coast of Maine is Ann Hood's stunning debut novel about the choices we make when we are young, and the changes brought about by the passing of time.

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary, Historical Fiction, Adult Fiction, Literary Fiction, Chick Lit, Novels

240 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1987

About the author

Ann Hood is the editor of Knitting Yarns: Writers on Knitting and the bestselling author of The Book That Matters Most, The Knitting Circle, The Red Thread, Comfort, and An Italian Wife, among other works. She is the recipient of two Pushcart Prizes, a Best American Spiritual Writing Award, a Best American Food Writing Award, a Best American Travel Writing Award, and the Paul Bowles Prize for Short Fiction. She lives in Providence, Rhode Island.

Reviews

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Stepping into this novel, at first, I thought I was back in TV land, and by just mentioning this, I know I am going to date myself.

But…

That is okay, because this particular show was one of my favorites. For those who may remember, and for those who don’t, I refer to the successful television sitcom, one of the few I liked, “Family Ties” which made Canadian, Michael J. Fox a household name.

Michael J. Fox was the tie-wearing ultra-conservative son, Alex P. Keaton. His parents, were hippies, played by talented actors, Michael Gross and Meredith Baxter. The intention of the show was to show the diverse opinion differences between these two factions.

I bring this up, because Ann Hood’s novel, this one, is about 3 former flower children and their present-day family life, and how similar it seemed to play out to what I witnessed in that long-ago sitcom.

Well…

At least in my mind. For a moment.

Premise: Suzanne, Elizabeth, and Claudia come of age in the late 60’s and early 70’s when the death threat of Vietnam hangs heavily over the heads of unprepared college students, threatening their plans and eliminating their joy. They are really into the scene of protest, smoking pot, and making love.

The book opens with Suzanne’s 14-year-old daughter, Sparrow (1984), when she discovers a picture of her father who had refused to marry Suzanne. Suzanne’s story is to search for him, with her mother against the idea. She doesn’t want anything to do with her past, and is moving on so fast, that Sparrow is now becoming Susan in her mind, and the idea of whatever was, is gone.

So how does Sparrow/Susan get through this roadblock?

Next is Rebekah, who is the 15-year-old daughter of Elizabeth and Howard (1985). They are still hippies. Rebekah doesn’t like herself and her roadblock is her mother’s cancer.

Henry is the 17-year-old son of Claudia who is in love with Rebekah. Henry is managing to get through the roadblock presented by his mother which is her madness, brought about by the drowning of his older brother years earlier when they lived a communal lifestyle.

This was Hood’s debut novel. One that even though it seemed to be in touch with the delicacies of human behavior it’s focus tended more on…

Suffering. Loss. Tragedy. Impulsive behaviors. Dysfunctional families. Loss of innocence.

Which made this…

Not an easy read. Realistic. Uncomfortable. Not for the faint of heart. 3.5 stars.

[Mimi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first read this novel when I was the age of the teenagers who are portrayed, and have kept it and re-read until now I'm older than the parents in the novel.

When I look at it critically, I can see some of the critiques that others have brought up, but I am so struck every time I read it by some new nuance. It has resonated for nearly 30 years, and will continue to do so, I suspect.

[Kim Kaso · Rating 4 out of 5]

A 3.5 stars rounded up to 4 as it suited my mood and read quickly. Very much a first book, which the author took to Bread Loaf as what she thought were short stories, and her writing instructor told her they were chapters in a novel. It is an enjoyable and easy to read book, but the characters felt a bit flat, as if she needed 60s archetypes--hippie earth mother, flower child who suffered later mental illness and tragedy, good girl who rebelled a little and became a buttoned down business type...the men were nearly interchangeable, except some talked more than others. So much time was spent on a Rebekah and Sparrow, but it felt as if the author really wanted the mothers to be the heart of the story & spent too much time on the frame. The characters did not not feel as if they emerged organically from the story, they felt like mannequins upon whom the story was hung. I liked her settings and descriptions, and feel she has talent, but she needs to mature...interested to try another book and see if she improves.

[Nancy · Rating 2 out of 5]

An unsatisfying book, beginning to end. Hood is a new author for me--picked the book up in a resale shop, because it was a story about three girls who meet in college in the late sixties. The narrative traces their stories until the mid-80s (when the book was written).

Maybe I would have liked it more if I read it when it was new--and I was the same age as the characters--but probably not, as the story never seemed to catch fire, offer any surprises or enlighten the reader with conclusions or insights. Several of the main characters (Suzanne, Abel, Claudia)seemed flat and one-dimensional, caricatures of sixties "types." And the plot kind of meandered around and then stopped. There wasn't much to care about.

[Laurel-Rain · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Brilliant....[The Vietnam era] is vividly captured by Ann Hood."--New York Times Book Review

In 1969, as Peter, Paul and Mary croon on the radio and poster paints are splashing the latest antiwar slogans, three friends find love. Suzanne, a poet, lives in a Maine beach house awaiting the birth of a child she will call Sparrow. Claudia, who weds a farmer during college, plans to raise three strong sons. Elizabeth and her husband marry, organize protests, and try to rear two children with their hippy values. By 1985, things have changed: Suzanne, now with an MBA, calls Sparrow "Susan." Claudia spirals backward into her sixties world--and into madness. And Elizabeth, fatally ill, watches despairingly as her children yearn for a split-level house and a gleaming station wagon. Reading group guide included.

We join the story from the point of view of Sparrow, who longs for a father she has never known...and who is curious about a vaguely recalled image of a house in Maine. She also has a photo of her father standing next to a green Day-Glo VW.

Rebekah, child of Elizabeth, was born "frowning," according to those who share thoughts about her. But Rebekah feels ugly and wants to change how she looks...so she has a secret nose job. Her relationship with her mother is complex and troubled.

Henry, child of Claudia, and secretly in love with Rebekah, recalls life before....and longs for his own special love story.

"Somewhere Off the Coast of Maine: A Novel" weaves the tales of these characters, sweeping back and forth, showing what life was like for old friends Suzanne, Claudia, and Elizabeth...and then revealing how life has played out for them.

Suzanne, Sparrow's mother, obsessively tries to create an entirely different kind of life for herself...and wants to forget everything about that time in Maine, when she was in love and when she took risks and didn't follow the rules.

Claudia lives in her own dream world, focused on a moment in time and wishing she could change things.

Elizabeth feels life slipping away and watches those she loves moving on without her.

And finally, Sparrow sees her father again....and realizes that illusions and reality are two different things.

Poignant, sad, but with beautiful happy moments that can be brought out like treasures to remember and nourish, I could not help but feel connected to them and to the times in which their friendships and their first loves were born. The times, indeed, were a-changing. Five stars.

[Michelle San Antonio · Rating 3 out of 5]

After reading Demon Copperhead (amazing, but difficult and intense) and then First Lie Wins (super fast-paced thriller), I needed a bit of a palate cleanser - something soothing and easy to read. This worked like a charm. A nice coming-of-age story about a group of friends - how they found each other and came together at pivotal points in all of their lives, and what happened to their relationships (both with each other and with their own families) as they moved into adulthood. I don't mind that the ending did not tie things up neatly, because that's not life, and I kind of like stories that leave things open-ended. But it did feel a bit abrupt. I loved the characters, though, and always love a book set in New England. I love Ann Hood's writing style - it feels like sitting by a fireplace with a good friend having a cup of hot tea. Just very cozy and comforting.

[Delanie Fredricks · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick read

[Rae · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a cozy New England read. I loved it!

[Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love Ann Hood's writing. This book was a bit too predictable though. It's about three college friends in the sixties and it explores the paths they choose after college. The book shifted from past to present a lot and it was a bit unsettling for me.

[Arlene · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love Ann Hood's writing but this novel did not appeal to me. I finished it but wondered what exactly was the point of this novel. Friendship gone awry? Lost love? I was aggravated that I wasted two days reading this book.

[Lisa Kay · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought this book had potential when I started reading it, but then somewhere it the middle it lost it for me. And the ending - was there an ending ? It seemed to me that the author also got bored with the story and just stopped writing.

[Deb · Rating 1 out of 5]

Awkward ending, just dropped off. Truly enjoyed her newest, The Knitting Circle but forget this one--disappointing

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book in late high school/early college, and while I remembered nothing from the plot, I remembered that I thought it was a good book. The narrative choices are really interesting. We begin with chapters from Sparrow, Rebekah, and Henry, starting in 1985. We also hear from various of their parents—Suzanne, Claudia, and Elizabeth & Howard. We travel from 1985, back to 1966, when the mothers met in college, and slowly travel up through time until we see how the characters ended where we began (and beyond). I l still it was a a good book, an interesting premise, and an interesting narrative structure. I’m not sorry I reread it, and I would recommend it to others. The ending left lots of questions, but so does life.

[Rae Wetzel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like Ann Hood’s writing style, however, this debut novel meandered too much for my taste. It ended without tying up the storylines - that’s okay, but not what I generally prefer. I did look forward to reading it each day, and found the characters and their stories interesting. I read the discussion questions at the end, and wished I could have talked to the author to get the answers! Rounded up from 3.5 stars.

[Sarah Sammis · Rating 5 out of 5]

In an interview on Suite 101, Ann Hood describes writing her debut novel, Somewhere Off the Coast of Maine long hand during long flights. She was working at the time as a flight attendant. Knowing the circumstances of how the book explains for me the dominant theme of the book: the resurfacing of memories, good and bad in a time of personal reflection.

The novel begins with Sparrow, a teenager, wanting to know about her father. To her, he is only a man in faded photograph. She wants to meet him. She wants to get away from home, from her mother who has decided to start calling her Susan. Sparrow's not the only teen in this book looking for something. There are others, all of them children of women who went to college together in the 1960s.

The book then goes back in time to the mothers to tell their stories. At first I was reluctant to continue, afraid that the book would lose its meditative tone in lieu of nostalgia. Thankfully it doesn't. These moments in the pass are fleeting, the years jumping from memory to memory.

Somewhere Off the Coast of Maine can be read either a chapter a night or in one long sitting. The chapters stand apart, working almost as self contained short stories. Together though they do build a portrait of friendship, memories, loss and grief over twenty five year's time.

[Ellie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book needed more to explain the actions of many of the main characters. Perhaps less of them and more background on each? This definitely felt like a first novel for the author, lots of potential but not there yet.

[BookAddict · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this a long, long time ago and I loved it. I subsequently devoured everything else that Ann Hood wrote but for some reason, this is the one that sticks with me.

[Lorri · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick but somewhat unsatisfying read. The characters weren't developed enough to satisfy my need for details. The abrupt ending was unsettling, like the author was tired of writing.

[Staci · Rating 2 out of 5]

Bizarre, abrupt and unsatisfying ending.

[Deb Noack · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great characters. Great storyline. And Maine.

[MBenzz · Rating 3 out of 5]

I recently finished Ann Hood's memoir, 'Fly Girl' (which I loved), and in it, she mentions writing her first book while working as a flight attendant for TWA. This being her first novel, I thought I'd check it out.

Originally published in 1987, I initially loved the story and most of the characters. It reminded me of all the 'following a group of college friends throughout their lives' books I read in the early 2000s.

Like almost everyone else here, though, I thought the ending was just terrible. I don't know if I would even call it an actual ending. The story just STOPS. I knew I was near the end as my Kindle said 99%, but I just couldn't imagine how it would all wrap up in a page or two...turns out, it doesn't.

It was such a bizarre way to end a pretty decent story. I can't imagine why the publisher or editor would write off on this. There is absolutely zero closure with any of the characters. Maaaaybe Claudia and Jonathan, but Suzanne and Sparrow? Rebekah and Henry? Elizabeth and Henry? What happens to them all?!?! How did the publisher read this book and not ask, 'Where's the rest of it? How does it end?'??

Overall, while this definitely reads like a first novel, I did enjoy the bulk of the story. I would not recommend this book, though, based on the ending alone. There are some books that purposefully leave an ambiguous ending, but this book just stops. It's incredibly jarring and leaves the reader with a huge sense of dissatisfaction and confusion. You genuinely think that part of the book is missing, and for that reason alone, I don't recommend this.

[Neil Desmond · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel is a masterpiece. Primarily focusing on two young couples and the differences between their approaches to the life, "Somewhere Off The Coast of Maine" takes you on a journey of personal growth, moral mazes, and the meaning of responsibility. Ultimately, one is left to conclude that responsibility for one's actions need not involve accepting the powers that be and their exploits. One can take personal responsibility and still live a life of protest, when appropriate. Mailing in your principles on either score is a moral failure in this novel. No one is given a pass. "Believing in the right things" is not enough. Pointing to the failures of another is not a justification for lack of decisive action. Children need what they need. Their mothers need what they need. And yes, men, you can give it to them without selling out to a rigged system. This novel is even more relevant today than it was when it was released many years ago. It's also a meaningful and insightful tribute to the moral compass that is New England in the modern world, from its scenes in coastal Rhode Island to coastal Maine. As a lifelong New Englander and an author myself, I can tell you that "Somewhere Off the Coast of Maine" captures something many of us strive to capture in books: characters who know the difference between right and wrong because of WHO THEY ARE, not because of rote rules or moral equations.

[Kaycee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first book by Ann Hood and I can confidently say that I will be looking into the rest of her work. I thought this novel was fantastic and enjoyed it throughly. Originally I was not going to leave a review but because of the fact that days after finishing this book and I cannot seem to get it out of my mind - here I am. This is a book about three friends who meet in college and then take different paths to continue their journey in life. I think this is one of the truest books I have read in a while compared to my usual teen fiction pickings. This book hit home for me. Hood did an amazing job explaining what it is like to be one person at one point and then a completely other person at an entirely different time in your life. It was intriguing, oh so fascinating to me to learn what these women (Claudia, Elizabeth, and Suzanne) were once like as young girls, and how they have become and adjusted in adulthood with their families. What seemed to get me even more was the story of one of the character's daughters who seems to despise her life though without ever really knowing who or what her mother was like around her age. This book will make you think, as you can see from my current state of curiosity. I recommend you read this book because it is absolutely amazing. From the writing to all of the characters, this Ann Hood book is a must read.

[theautumnlibrary · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first book by Ann Hood and I can confidently say that I will be looking into the rest of her work. I thought this novel was fantastic and enjoyed it throughly. Originally I was not going to leave a review but because of the fact that days after finishing this book and I cannot seem to get it out of my mind - here I am. This is a book about three friends who meet in college and then take different paths to continue their journey in life. I think this is one of the truest books I have read in a while compared to my usual teen fiction pickings. This book hit home for me. Hood did an amazing job explaining what it is like to be one person at one point and then a completely other person at an entirely different time in your life. It was intriguing, oh so fascinating to me to learn what these women (Claudia, Elizabeth, and Suzanne) were once like as young girls, and how they have become and adjusted in adulthood with their families. What seemed to get me even more was the story of one of the character's daughters who seems to despise her life though without ever really knowing who or what her mother was like around her age. This book will make you think, as you can see from my current state of curiosity. I recommend you read this book because it is absolutely amazing. From the writing to all of the characters, this Ann Hood book is a must read.

[CoCoBug · Rating 2 out of 5]

Picked up Hood's first book because I had read a couple of her others and really enjoyed them. I actually liked most of it, contrary to some reviews, though I thought the writing was simple and it read as an author's first book. None of that mattered to me; I liked the straight-forwardness of the words, though the time and character jumps confused me. I was just starting to easily switch between them when the book ended. Abruptly. Seemingly in the middle of a chapter. So I emailed Overdrive and told them there was an issue with the download. Then I went into the library to grab the book so I could finish it.

Nope. That was how it ended. Whaaaaaat. The story meanders so much, and there is nothing at the end. Storylines are left open and never addressed again.

Thankfully, I have read her other stuff and really enjoyed it. I'll still recommend her as an author - just not this particular book.

[Fay · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think of this book as more a character study than a story. Yet it does have the intertwined stories of the three women it follows. They are from three different backgrounds, meet up and become serious friends in college. Each has a different approach to life but together become new people... experimenting with new lifestyles which lead them quite different adulthoods. The writing is good, the characters well developed, but I came away less than enchanted. However, now that I'm writing the review, I must add that I think I will come back to the characters and find myself thinking about them more than I would have expected. Does that mean the book may have been better than I originally thought? Time will tell.

[Nancy Fox · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two confusing issues: the review is erroneous: Suzanne isn't a poet. And where do Elizabeth's kids long for split-level houses, etc.? And, in the story, I don't understand how Howard just up and quits the army without consequences. The CO in my life went through a trial and had to serve two years in a psychiatric hospital, rather than fight the war that Howard peacefully leaves. (And whoever said that the male characters are interchangeable -- Peter, Abel, and Howard? They're not even the same species.)

However: each woman suffers a trauma that implodes her identity, her relationships, the trajectory of her life -- and the impact of that experience alters the lives of their kids, particularly the daughters. That's brilliantly done.

[Linda Austin · Rating 3 out of 5]

While at college three distinct characters, Claudia, Suzanne, and Elizabeth meet and become unlikely friends. This intersection of their lives comes and goes leaving each of them changed forever.

Somewhere Off the Coast of Maine is a study in relationships and personalities through a series of vignettes. Against a background of two distinct time periods (the carefree hippie era of the late 1960s and the age of peace and stability in the 1980s), it exposes the fragility of mental balance and well being, emphasizes the importance of knowing who you are and what is truly important to you, and suggests that past mistakes can lead to a place to start over again fresh.

[Jonesy952 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this book, probably because it was about 3 college friends in the 60’s so I could totally relate. Suzanne, Elizabeth, and Claudia are from different paths in life. Suzanne is from an ultra-traditional family but ends up doffing the whole sorority routine and becoming a hippie like her two roommates. But in the end, she’s a traditionalist at heart and it affects the rest of her life. The other two friends end up doing the hippie thing throughout their lives, but Suzanne cannot get away from her upbringing. The story takes place 15 years later when they all have teenage children of their own and examines how the 60’s changed some people’s lives.

[Nancy Brady · Rating 3 out of 5]

Three college friends, inseparable, in the Sixties find out the realities of life once they graduate.
Elizabeth, Claudia, and Suzanne become best friends while in school, but life gets in the way later on.

Suzanne becomes a single mother to a daughter she names Sparrow. Elizabeth and Howard remain free spirits and rear their two kids, Rebekah and Jesse, with their hippie values until Elizabeth is diagnosed with cancer. Claudia and her husband live on a farm, have three sons, and with the loss of one of them, Claudia spirals into madness.