The Siege of Salt Cove: A Novel

by Anthony Weller

"A gloriously strange book, both whimsical and brooding."―Jeremy Jackson, People The Commonwealth of Massachusetts has decided to replace Salt Cove's signature wooden bridge with a concrete monstrosity. The authorities are unreasoning and unyielding. The town decides on secession. Jessica Stoddard is a quirky seventy-two-year-old who is determined to keep a record of the event for posterity. She has a passion for the truth, but her account is not entirely reliable, because she also has a passion for the rebellion's ringleader who is...well, a much younger man. Toby Auberon is a lawyer and a drop-out. He has returned after years in Rio to perfect his mysterious invention in the solitude of the lighthouse. He is drawn, unwillingly, into the dispute when the bureaucracy switches tactics from bullying to armed occupation. Powerful, poignant, deeply funny, and enriched by the villagers' diverse voices, this is a contemporary farce about a town that dares to rebel against its own government, and to fight back when attacked.

Genres: Fiction

396 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2004

About the author

Anthony Weller was born in Georgia in 1957. He was the author of four novels--The Garden of the Peacocks, The Polish Lover, The Siege of Salt Cove and The Land of Later On--and a travel memoir of India and Pakistan, Days and Nights on the Grand Trunk Road. He also edited two collections of his father's Pulitzer Prize-winning World War II reporting, First into Nagasaki and Weller's War. For many years he was a highly-regarded jazz and classical guitarist.

Reviews

[Evrendyg · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gem of a book. The light humor of its style and the delicious unfolding of the story through many voices was remarkable. Each character was distinct and real, a feat of building convincing personas. The ending will take some time for me to get over. Lots of food for thought.

[Carol Vuillemenot]

Bored. Bored. Bored.

[Pamela Mansfield-loomis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow - just a stunning cast of characters each sharing their unique point of view as their beloved village is about to lose its iconic bridge to greed. The villagers come together to fight the government edict to destroy it. Living in the actual town where this fictional event took place may be part of my enjoyment: recognizing the bridge (and knowing it was reconstructed), beaches, and lighthouse was fun. Though there are many characters, the two main characters guide the story on its way through protests, proclaimed succession from the United States, military intervention, the brave efforts of private citizens, tragedies, and even quirky behaviors (I laughed over the fisherman finding the WMD on one of his trawls). Through it all the bittersweet star-crossed relationship between the two protagonists who are a generation apart touched my heart. Ah, if only! I want to ask the author, did he spend much time in this village? He certainly is spot on with its special personality and the beauty of the area. This book was left in a neat pile of copies at our secondhand store. I keep asking people - did you know about this book?

[Penny · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful book, full of surprises and philosophy, both. It is told from the (mostly) inner perspectives of several villagers ... and their reactions to the events which compound quickly. Although it is often wryly humorous, it definitely is not a farce. Rather, it's a too-believable story of what happens when government and village disagree strongly, and go to war. It is also heart-breakingly well written. I'm going to find his other books.

[Ian Palmer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I spent the first 2/3 wondering what the big deal was with replacing the bridge. Book more or less redeemed itself toward the end though.

[dianne Ball · Rating 5 out of 5]

A small cove turns into a struggle over a wooden bridge. Excellent reading!

[Stephen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like it a lot. Small-town politics and personalities about environmental and historical preservation, not exactly comic but with many light touches .